Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'donkey'

English Word: donkey

Key Russian Translations:

• осёл /ɐˈsʲɵl/ - [Informal, Common noun for the animal]
• ишачок /ɪˈʂɐt͡ɕək/ - [Informal, Diminutive or affectionate form]

Frequency: Medium (Used in everyday conversations about animals or metaphors, but not extremely common in modern urban contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary learners can grasp the basic form, but understanding inflections and metaphorical uses may require B1 level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осёл: /ɐˈsʲɵl/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ё' sound is a soft 'yo' as in 'yonder')

ишачок: /ɪˈʂɐt͡ɕək/ (Note the soft 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to 'sh' in 'sheep' but softer)

Note on осёл: Be careful with the palatalized 'сʲ' which affects the preceding vowel; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: A domesticated animal of the horse family

Translation(s) & Context:

• осёл - Used in general contexts for referring to the animal in everyday or rural settings.
• ишачок - A diminutive form, often used affectionately or in children's stories.

Usage Examples:

• В деревне мы видели осла, который таскал повозку. (In the village, we saw a donkey pulling a cart.)

  Translation: In the village, we saw a donkey pulling a cart.

• Мой ишачок очень милый и послушный. (My little donkey is very cute and obedient.)

  Translation: My little donkey is very cute and obedient. (This shows the diminutive form in an affectionate context.)

• Осёл в зоопарке был занят едой сена. (The donkey at the zoo was busy eating hay.)

  Translation: The donkey at the zoo was busy eating hay. (Demonstrates simple declarative sentence.)

• Дети кормили ишачка морковью на ферме. (The children were feeding the little donkey carrots on the farm.)

  Translation: The children were feeding the little donkey carrots on the farm. (Illustrates interaction in a playful setting.)

• Осёл помог фермеру перевозить товары. (The donkey helped the farmer transport goods.)

  Translation: The donkey helped the farmer transport goods. (Shows practical usage in a work context.)

Metaphorical Meaning: A stubborn or foolish person

Translation(s) & Context:

• осёл - Used informally to describe someone who is stubborn, often in a humorous or derogatory way.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой осёл, не слушает ничьих советов! (He's such a donkey, he doesn't listen to anyone's advice!)

  Translation: He's such a donkey, he doesn't listen to anyone's advice! (This is a common idiomatic expression.)

• Не будь ослом и подумай перед тем, как действовать. (Don't be a donkey and think before you act.)

  Translation: Don't be a donkey and think before you act. (Advisory context with metaphorical use.)

• В этой ситуации он вёл себя как настоящий осёл. (In this situation, he behaved like a real donkey.)

  Translation: In this situation, he behaved like a real donkey. (Emphasizes foolishness in narrative.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "осёл" is a masculine noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard masculine declension pattern. It is inflected based on cases, numbers, and sometimes gender agreements. "Ишачок" is a diminutive form and also masculine, with similar inflections but often used in singular forms for endearment.

For "ишачок", it follows a similar pattern but is less commonly inflected in plural due to its diminutive nature: Nominative singular: ишачок; Genitive singular: ишачка, etc. Note that these are regular inflections without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ишак (a more formal or regional term for donkey), ослик (another diminutive form)
• - ишак is often used in literary contexts and may imply a larger or wild donkey.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is an animal term, but conceptually: конь (horse) for something more noble or swift.

Related Phrases:

• Упрямый как осёл (Stubborn as a donkey) - A common idiom to describe someone very obstinate.
• Осёл в яблоках (Donkey in apples) - Refers to a stubborn person ignoring advice, with a proverbial connotation.
• Везти осла на базар (To take a donkey to the market) - Means to do something pointless or unnecessary.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "осёл" directly corresponds to the English "donkey" in its literal sense but is often used metaphorically to mean a stubborn person, similar to English slang. Use "осёл" in informal settings; for formal writing, opt for "ишачок" if emphasizing affection. Be cautious with metaphorical uses, as they can be offensive. When choosing between translations, "осёл" is the most straightforward, while "ишачок" adds a diminutive, playful tone. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian cases for correct sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осёл" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я видел осёл" instead of "Я видел осла". Correct: Always match the case, as in "Я видел осла" (I saw the donkey in accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree with prepositions and verbs, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Overusing the metaphorical sense, e.g., calling someone "осёл" in a professional context. Correct: Reserve it for casual, humorous situations to avoid offense. Explanation: In Russian culture, direct insults can escalate quickly, so gauge the social setting carefully.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "осел" (which is a misspelling; correct is "осёл" with ё). Correct: Use the letter "ё" for proper pronunciation. Explanation: Omitting "ё" can change meaning or make the word harder to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the donkey often symbolizes stubbornness in folktales and proverbs, much like in Western traditions. For instance, it's featured in stories by writers like Krylov, where it represents folly or persistence. This reflects a broader Slavic folklore motif, emphasizing humility and the quirks of rural life, which can help English speakers appreciate the cultural depth behind everyday words.

Related Concepts:

• лошадь (horse)
• коза (goat)
• упрямство (stubbornness)