Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cougar'

English Word: cougar

Key Russian Translations:

• пума (/ˈpumə/) - [Formal, Singular, Refers to the animal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in wildlife discussions, literature, or documentaries, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should be familiar with basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to animals.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пума: /ˈpumə/

Note on пума: The stress is on the first syllable (/ˈpumə/). Pronounce the 'у' as a short 'oo' sound, similar to 'book' in English. Be mindful of the soft 'м' which can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The animal (a large wild cat native to the Americas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пума - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as zoology or wildlife documentaries, to describe the species.

Usage Examples:

• В джунглях Амазонки обитает пума, которая является одним из самых ловких хищников.

  In the Amazon jungles, the cougar lives, which is one of the most agile predators.

• Пума часто избегает людей, но может стать опасной, если её территория нарушена.

  The cougar often avoids people but can become dangerous if its territory is disturbed.

• В зоопарке мы наблюдали, как пума охотится на свою добычу в вольере.

  At the zoo, we watched as the cougar hunted its prey in the enclosure.

• Молодые пумы учатся выживать в дикой природе от своих матерей.

  Young cougars learn to survive in the wild from their mothers.

• Пума, известная также как пума конколор, адаптирована к различным климатам.

  The cougar, also known as the cougar concolor, is adapted to various climates.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пума" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • американский лев (American lion) - Often used in historical or poetic contexts.
  • горный лев (mountain lion) - Emphasizes its habitat in mountainous regions.
• Antonyms:
  • травоядное животное (herbivorous animal) - Refers to prey animals, contrasting its predatory nature.

Related Phrases:

• Пума в дикой природе - A common phrase meaning "Cougar in the wild," often used in environmental discussions.
• Охота на пуму - Meaning "Hunting the cougar," typically in contexts of wildlife conservation or illegal poaching.
• Пума как символ силы - Translates to "Cougar as a symbol of strength," used in cultural or symbolic representations in literature.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "пума" directly corresponds to the English "cougar" when referring to the animal, but it's more commonly used in formal, scientific, or educational contexts rather than everyday speech. Be aware of gender agreement: as a feminine noun, adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "большая пума" for "big cougar"). When discussing multiple cougars, the plural form is less common and may default to the singular in some cases. Choose "пума" over synonyms like "американский лев" if the context is strictly zoological for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong gender or case, e.g., saying "пума" in the genitive as "пума" instead of correctly as "пума" in some contexts, but commonly mistaking it for a masculine noun.

  Correct: В лесу живёт пума (In the forest lives a cougar). Incorrect: В лесу живёт пум (This is grammatically wrong; use proper declension).

  Explanation: Russian nouns have strict case systems, and learners often overlook this, leading to agreement errors in sentences.

• Error: Confusing "пума" with similar-sounding words like "пума" (which is the same) but mispronouncing the stress, making it sound like /puˈma/ instead of /ˈpumə/.

  Correct Pronunciation: /ˈpumə/. Explanation: Stress errors can change the word's perceived meaning or make it harder for native speakers to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the cougar (пума) is often referenced in literature and folklore as a symbol of wilderness and untamed nature, similar to how wolves or bears are portrayed. It appears in stories by authors like Jack London, translated into Russian, emphasizing themes of survival and adaptability. However, it's not as deeply embedded in Russian folklore as native animals like the bear, making it more of an exotic symbol in modern environmental narratives.

Related Concepts:

• лев (lion)
• тигр (tiger)
• волк (wolf)