Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dinosaur'

English Word: Dinosaur

Key Russian Translations:

• динозавр [ˌdʲɪnɐˈzavr] - [Neutral, Most Common]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, educational, and casual contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate, due to straightforward meaning and pronunciation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

динозавр: [ˌdʲɪnɐˈzavr]

Note on динозавр: Stress falls on the second syllable ('завр'). The 'ди' is pronounced with a soft 'd' sound, typical in Russian palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Prehistoric Reptile)

Translation(s) & Context:

• динозавр - Used to refer to prehistoric reptiles in scientific, educational, or general discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Динозавры вымерли миллионы лет назад.

  Dinosaurs went extinct millions of years ago.

• В музее есть скелет динозавра.

  There is a dinosaur skeleton in the museum.

• Мой сын обожает книги о динозаврах.

  My son loves books about dinosaurs.

• Учёные нашли новые следы динозавров.

  Scientists discovered new dinosaur tracks.

• Тираннозавр - один из самых известных динозавров.

  Tyrannosaurus is one of the most famous dinosaurs.

2. Figurative Meaning (Something Outdated)

Translation(s) & Context:

• динозавр - Occasionally used metaphorically to describe something or someone outdated or obsolete, often in informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Этот компьютер - настоящий динозавр!

  This computer is a real dinosaur!

• Он мыслит как динозавр, не понимает новых технологий.

  He thinks like a dinosaur; he doesn’t understand new technologies.

• Эта компания - динозавр в мире бизнеса.

  This company is a dinosaur in the business world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

динозавр is a masculine noun in Russian. It follows the standard second declension pattern for animate nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• ископаемое животное (fossil animal, broader term, less common for dinosaurs specifically)

Antonyms:

• (No direct antonyms, as 'dinosaur' is a specific term)

Note: Synonyms are rare for this specific term, as 'динозавр' is the dominant and precise word in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• эра динозавров - "era of dinosaurs" (refers to the Mesozoic era)
• вымерший динозавр - "extinct dinosaur" (emphasizes extinction)
• скелет динозавра - "dinosaur skeleton" (common in museum contexts)

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word 'динозавр' directly corresponds to the English 'dinosaur' and is used in both literal and figurative senses, much like in English.
• It is a loanword from Latin/Greek via European languages, so its pronunciation and meaning are very close to English, making it easy for learners to remember.
• In informal contexts, calling something or someone a 'динозавр' (dinosaur) to imply obsolescence is understood but less common than in English. Be cautious with tone to avoid offending.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrect stress placement, e.g., stressing the first syllable as *'ди́нозавр' instead of 'дино́завр'.
  Correction: Always stress the second syllable: [ˌdʲɪnɐˈzavr]. Misplaced stress can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.
• Error: Using incorrect case endings, e.g., *'о динозавр' instead of 'о динозавре' in the prepositional case.
  Correction: Follow the declension table provided above to match the grammatical case required by the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dinosaurs are a popular topic among children and in educational contexts, much like in the West. Many Russian children grow up watching documentaries or reading books about dinosaurs, and terms like 'динозавр' are familiar from an early age. Additionally, Russian paleontology has made significant contributions to dinosaur research, with notable discoveries in Siberia and Central Asia.

Related Concepts:

• палеонтология (paleontology)
• ископаемые (fossils)
• мезозой (Mesozoic era)