Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drone'

English Word: drone

Key Russian Translations:

• дрон [drɔn] - [Formal, Technological context; used for unmanned aerial vehicles]
• трутень [truˈtʲenʲ] - [Informal, Biological context; often refers to a male bee or drone in nature]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in modern technology discussions, less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and technology vocabulary; for "трутень", also B1 due to standard declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дрон: [drɔn] (IPA: /drɔn/; the "o" is pronounced like in "hot", with stress on the first syllable)

трутень: [truˈtʲenʲ] (IPA: /truˈtʲenʲ/; note the palatalized "tʲ" sound, which can be tricky for English speakers—similar to "ty" in "tune")

Note on дрон: In fast speech, the final "n" may soften slightly, but it's generally straightforward.

Note on трутень: The stress on the second syllable can vary in dialects, but standard Russian emphasizes the second vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or remote-controlled flying device

Translation(s) & Context:

• дрон - Used in formal, technological, or military contexts, such as discussions about surveillance or delivery systems.

Usage Examples:

• Дрон используется для мониторинга сельскохозяйственных полей.

  The drone is used for monitoring agricultural fields. (Shows practical application in technology.)

• Во время фестиваля запускали дроны с фейерверками.

  During the festival, they launched drones with fireworks. (Illustrates recreational use.)

• Правительство запретило полеты дронов над городскими районами.

  The government banned drone flights over urban areas. (Demonstrates regulatory context.)

• Мой дрон оснащен камерой высокого разрешения.

  My drone is equipped with a high-resolution camera. (Highlights technical specifications.)

Meaning 2: A male bee in a colony (biological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трутень - Used in informal or scientific discussions about insects, often metaphorically for something unproductive.

Usage Examples:

• В улье трутень не работает, а только ест мед.

  In the hive, the drone doesn't work; it just eats honey. (Emphasizes biological role.)

• Трутень в пчелином обществе символизирует лентяя.

  The drone in a bee society symbolizes a lazy person. (Shows metaphorical use in everyday language.)

• Ученые изучают, как трутни размножаются в колонии.

  Scientists study how drones reproduce in the colony. (Context in scientific research.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "дрон" and "трутень" are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for inanimate and animate objects, respectively.

For "дрон" (inanimate masculine noun):

For "трутень" (animate masculine noun, with irregular plural in some contexts):

These nouns do not change for verb conjugations as they are not verbs, but their forms must agree with adjectives and verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дрон: БПЛА (acronym for беспилотный летательный аппарат - for UAVs; more formal and technical)
  • трутень: Дрон (in biological contexts, but less common); Лентяй (metaphorical, meaning "lazy one")
• Antonyms:
  • дрон: Пилотируемый аппарат (piloted aircraft; contrasts with unmanned)
  • трутень: Рабочая пчела (worker bee; contrasts with unproductive role)

Related Phrases:

• Беспилотный дрон - Unmanned drone (a common technological phrase emphasizing autonomy).
• Трутень в улье - Drone in the hive (a phrase used metaphorically for social commentary on idleness).
• Запуск дрона - Launching a drone (refers to deploying for flight, often in recreational or professional settings).

Usage Notes:

"Дрон" directly corresponds to the English "drone" in technological contexts and is widely used in modern Russian media. It is neutral and formal, making it suitable for professional discussions. For "трутень", it aligns more with the biological meaning and can carry a negative connotation in metaphors, similar to English "drone" as in a lazy person. Choose "дрон" for tech-related topics and "трутень" for nature or idiomatic expressions. Be mindful of case agreements in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to decline based on their role.

• Always check the context: "Дрон" is inanimate, so it doesn't take animate declensions.
• In informal speech, "дрон" might be borrowed directly from English, but pair it with Russian verbs for natural flow.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "дрон" for an animate noun and use incorrect declensions, e.g., saying "Я видел дрона" (incorrect accusative for inanimate) instead of the correct "Я видел дрон". Error: Using genitive "дрона" where nominative is needed. Correct: In "У меня есть дрон" (I have a drone), not "У меня есть дрона". This happens because English doesn't have cases, so practice full sentences to internalize Russian grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "трутень" is often used in literature and proverbs to symbolize laziness or parasitism, drawing from bee colony dynamics. For example, in fables like those by Krylov, it represents societal critiques, similar to how English uses "drone" metaphorically. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on collectivism and productivity in stories and media.

Related Concepts:

• Беспилотник (unmanned vehicle, broader than just aerial drones)
• Пчелиный улей (bee hive, related to biological drones)
• Авиация (aviation, for technological contexts)