Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crag'

English Word: crag

Key Russian Translations:

• скала [ˈskaɫa] - [General, Neutral]
• утёс [ʊˈtʲos] - [Formal, Often poetic or descriptive]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like nature descriptions or literature)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "скала" is more common and easier, "утёс" is slightly more advanced due to its formal tone)

Pronunciation (Russian):

скала: [ˈskaɫa]

Note on скала: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "а" sounds are pronounced as open "ah."

утёс: [ʊˈtʲos]

Note on утёс: Stress on the second syllable. The "ё" is always stressed and pronounced as "yo."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A steep, rugged rock or cliff (literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скала - Commonly used for any steep rock or cliff, especially in everyday speech.
• утёс - Often used in literature or poetic contexts to describe a dramatic, towering cliff, especially by the sea.

Usage Examples:

• Мы взобрались на высокую скалу, чтобы увидеть море.

  We climbed a high crag to see the sea.

• Скала была такой крутой, что никто не решился спуститься.

  The crag was so steep that no one dared to descend.

• Утёс возвышался над волнами, как страж побережья.

  The crag towered over the waves like a guardian of the coast.

• На этом утёсе поэт написал свои лучшие строки.

  On this crag, the poet wrote his finest lines.

• Скалы вдоль реки создавали опасный маршрут.

  The crags along the river created a dangerous route.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

скала (noun, feminine): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

утёс (noun, masculine): Follows the standard masculine declension pattern with a soft sign in some forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for скала/утёс:

• обрыв (cliff, often with a sharp drop)
• круча (steep slope or cliff, more regional)

Note: "обрыв" often implies a sudden drop, while "круча" is less common and may carry a regional or archaic tone.

Antonyms for скала/утёс:

• равнина (plain, flat land)
• долина (valley)

Related Phrases:

• взобраться на скалу - "to climb a crag" (used for physical climbing or metaphorically for overcoming challenges)
• утёс над морем - "crag over the sea" (common poetic imagery)
• скалы и камни - "crags and stones" (often used to describe rugged terrain)

Usage Notes:

• "скала" is the more versatile and commonly used term for a crag or cliff in everyday Russian. It can refer to any steep rock formation, whether by the sea, in the mountains, or elsewhere.
• "утёс" is more specific and often carries a dramatic or poetic connotation. It is frequently used in literature or to describe particularly imposing cliffs, often near water bodies.
• When translating "crag," choose "скала" for neutral or general contexts and "утёс" for more formal or artistic descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "утёс" in casual conversation or for small rock formations.
  Incorrect: Я увидел маленький утёс в парке.
  Correct: Я увидел маленькую скалу в парке.
  Explanation: "утёс" implies a large, dramatic cliff and sounds out of place for small or mundane rocks.
• Error: Incorrect stress or pronunciation of "скала" (e.g., stressing the second syllable).
  Explanation: Always stress the first syllable [ˈskaɫa]; misplacing the stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and folklore, cliffs like "утёс" often symbolize strength, isolation, or danger. Famous works, such as Pushkin's poems, frequently feature towering cliffs as dramatic settings. Understanding this cultural imagery can help in grasping the emotional tone of certain texts.

Related Concepts:

• гора (mountain)
• обрыв (precipice)
• берег (shore, often linked with cliffs by water)