Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crow'

English Word: crow

Key Russian Translations:

• ворона [ˈvorənə] - [Common, Singular, Feminine]
• ворон [ˈvorən] - [Less Common, Singular, Masculine, Often Poetic]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday speech and literature)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "ворона"; B1 for "ворон" due to poetic usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ворона: [ˈvorənə]

Note on ворона: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "o" is pronounced as a short "o" sound.

ворон: [ˈvorən]

Note on ворон: Similar to "ворона," but without the final vowel sound. Stress is also on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Type of Bird (Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ворона - Refers to the common crow or raven, used in everyday language.
• ворон - Often refers to a raven specifically, with a more literary or poetic tone.

Usage Examples:

• На дереве сидела большая ворона.

  A large crow was sitting on the tree.

• Ворона каркнула и улетела.

  The crow cawed and flew away.

• Ворон кружил над полем, предвещая беду.

  The raven circled over the field, foretelling trouble.

• Дети боялись старого ворона в сказке.

  The children were afraid of the old raven in the fairy tale.

• Ворона стащила кусок хлеба со стола.

  The crow snatched a piece of bread from the table.

2. Figurative Meaning (Derogatory or Idiomatic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ворона - Used to describe someone clumsy or inattentive, often in a playful or mildly critical way (e.g., "растяпа").

Usage Examples:

• Ну ты и ворона, как можно было это забыть?

  What a crow you are, how could you forget this?

• Она такая ворона, вечно всё теряет.

  She’s such a crow, always losing things.

• Не будь вороной, смотри, куда идёшь!

  Don’t be a crow, watch where you’re going!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ворона (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

ворон (Masculine Noun): Follows the standard masculine declension pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "ворона":

• грач (rook, another type of bird in the crow family)

Note: "грач" refers to a specific type of crow-like bird (rook) and is not always interchangeable with "ворона."

Antonyms:

• Нет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as it is a specific noun)

Related Phrases:

• ворона в павлиньих перьях - Literally "a crow in peacock feathers," meaning someone pretending to be something they are not (similar to "a wolf in sheep's clothing").
• каркать как ворона - "To croak like a crow," used to describe someone speaking pessimistically or ominously.

Usage Notes:

• "Ворона" is the most common term for "crow" in everyday Russian and is often used in both literal and figurative contexts.
• "Ворон" typically refers to a raven and is more common in literature, folklore, or poetic contexts. It carries a darker, more mysterious connotation.
• In idiomatic expressions, "ворона" is often used to describe clumsiness or absent-mindedness, which does not directly correspond to English usage of "crow."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ворон" instead of "ворона" in everyday speech. For example, saying "Я видел ворон на улице" instead of "Я видел ворону на улице."

  Correction: Use "ворона" for general references to crows in casual contexts. "Ворон" should be reserved for ravens or poetic tones.

• Error: Misusing "ворона" in declension, e.g., "Я вижу ворона" (incorrect accusative form).

  Correction: The correct accusative form is "ворону," as in "Я вижу ворону."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian folklore and literature, crows and ravens (especially "ворон") often symbolize mystery, wisdom, or foreboding. They appear in fairy tales and poems as messengers or omens, similar to their portrayal in other cultures but with a distinctly Slavic flavor. For instance, the image of a raven circling a battlefield is a common trope in Russian epic poetry.

Related Concepts:

• грач (rook)
• сорока (magpie)
• птица (bird)