Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'crepuscular'

English Word: crepuscular

Key Russian Translations:

• сумеречный /sʊˈmʲerʲɪtɕnɨj/ - [Formal, Adjective, Used in scientific or biological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in specialized fields like biology or literature.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding specific adjectives and their contextual usage; learners need familiarity with Russian adjective declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сумеречный: /sʊˈmʲerʲɪtɕnɨj/

Note on сумеречный: The stress falls on the second syllable (/mʲerʲ/), and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relating to twilight or dusk, especially describing animals or phenomena active during these times.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сумеречный - Used in formal, scientific, or literary contexts to describe activity at dawn or dusk, such as in biology for animals like cats or owls.

Usage Examples:

• Многие животные в дикой природе являются сумеречными, чтобы избежать дневных хищников.

  English: Many animals in the wild are crepuscular to avoid daytime predators.

• Сумеречный период дня идеален для наблюдения за птицами в лесу.

  English: The crepuscular period of the day is ideal for birdwatching in the forest.

• В русской литературе сумеречные сцены часто символизируют переход и загадочность.

  English: In Russian literature, crepuscular scenes often symbolize transition and mystery.

• Кошки, как сумеречные существа, предпочитают охотиться на рассвете или закате.

  English: Cats, as crepuscular creatures, prefer to hunt at dawn or dusk.

• Сумеречный свет делает пейзаж более поэтичным и таинственным.

  English: Crepuscular light makes the landscape more poetic and mysterious.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Сумеречный is an adjective in Russian, which means it undergoes declension based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives ending in -ий. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вечерний (evening-related, but less specific to twilight; often used for general dusk contexts)
  • закатный (specifically sunset-related, with a poetic connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • дневной (daytime, contrasting with twilight activity)
  • ночной (nocturnal, for night-active phenomena)

Related Phrases:

• Сумеречный период - A period of twilight; used in scientific or descriptive contexts to refer to the time just after sunset or before sunrise.
• Сумеречные животные - Crepuscular animals; common in biology to describe species active at dawn and dusk.
• Сумеречный свет - Twilight light; often used in literature to evoke mystery or transition.

Usage Notes:

Сумеречный is a precise translation for "crepuscular" in contexts involving biology or natural phenomena, but it may not be as commonly used in everyday Russian as its English counterpart. It's typically formal and avoids informal speech; for example, prefer it in written reports or academic discussions rather than casual conversations. When choosing between translations like сумеречный and вечерний, opt for сумеречный if the emphasis is on twilight activity. Grammatically, always decline it according to the noun it modifies to maintain agreement in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "сумеречный животные" instead of "сумеречные животные" (incorrect plural form).

  Correct: Сумеречные животные (The adjective must agree in case and number). Explanation: Russian adjectives must always match the noun they describe; this is a common mistake for English speakers who are used to invariable adjectives.

• Error: Confusing it with ночной (nocturnal), e.g., translating "crepuscular animals" as "ночные животные" when twilight is specifically meant.

  Correct: Сумеречные животные. Explanation: Ночной implies full nighttime activity, while сумеречный is for dawn/dusk, so context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, twilight (sumerechnoe vremya) often carries symbolic weight in literature and art, as seen in works by authors like Pushkin or Chekhov, where it represents introspection, mystery, or the fleeting nature of life. This cultural nuance can deepen understanding of "crepuscular" in translations, linking it to themes of transition in Russian poetry and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• ночной (nocturnal)
• дневной (diurnal)
• утренний (morning-related)