Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'drought'

English Word: drought

Key Russian Translations:

• засуха [zɐˈsuxə] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of weather, agriculture, and environmental issues, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic vocabulary related to natural phenomena; requires understanding of noun declensions for accurate usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

засуха: [zɐˈsuxə]

Note on засуха: The stress is on the second syllable (su-), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'х' sound, which is guttural and may vary slightly by regional accent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water scarcity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• засуха - Used in formal and scientific contexts, such as weather reports, agricultural discussions, or environmental reports.

Usage Examples:

• В прошлом году в регионе случилась длительная засуха, которая повлияла на урожай.

  Last year, a prolonged drought occurred in the region, which affected the harvest.

• Из-за засухи реки обмелели, и фермеры столкнулись с нехваткой воды.

  Due to the drought, the rivers became shallow, and farmers faced a water shortage.

• Правительство ввело меры по борьбе с засухой в засушливых районах страны.

  The government introduced measures to combat drought in the arid areas of the country.

• Засуха в летние месяцы может привести к лесным пожарам и экономическим потерям.

  Drought in the summer months can lead to forest fires and economic losses.

• Ученые изучают причины засухи, чтобы предсказывать будущие климатические изменения.

  Scientists are studying the causes of drought to predict future climate changes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"засуха" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • суховей (a dry wind or drought-like condition, often implying a hot, arid wind)
  • засушливость (dryness or aridity, more abstract and less specific to prolonged periods)
• Antonyms:
  • дождь (rain, referring to precipitation that counters drought)
  • наводнение (flood, the opposite extreme of water scarcity)

Related Phrases:

• период засухи - Period of drought; used in meteorological or historical contexts.
• борьба с засухой - Fight against drought; common in discussions of environmental policy.
• засушливый климат - Arid climate; refers to regions prone to drought.

Usage Notes:

"засуха" directly corresponds to "drought" in English and is the most accurate translation for contexts involving prolonged dry spells. It is typically used in formal settings, such as news reports or scientific discussions, rather than casual conversation. When using this word, ensure proper declension based on the sentence structure; for example, in genitive case, it becomes "засухи" to indicate possession or origin. If multiple translations exist, choose "засуха" for general purposes, but "суховей" if emphasizing wind-related aridity. Be aware that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives like "сильная" (severe) to add nuance.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "засуха" with "сухость" (dryness), which is more general and not specific to prolonged periods. Error: Saying "Эта сухость длилась месяцы" instead of "Эта засуха длилась месяцы." Correct: Use "засуха" for extended dry periods to maintain precision. Explanation: "Сухость" refers to a state of being dry, like in "сухость воздуха" (air dryness), while "засуха" implies a significant environmental event.

• Forgetting to decline the noun properly, e.g., using "засуха" in all cases. Error: "Я боюсь засуха" (incorrect). Correct: "Я боюсь засухи" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on grammatical role, so always check the case for accurate sentence construction.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "засуха" is particularly relevant in regions like the southern steppes or Siberia, where droughts can severely impact agriculture and lead to food shortages. Historically, droughts have been linked to famines, such as during the early 20th century, influencing Russian literature and folklore as symbols of hardship and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• климат (climate)
• урожай (harvest)
• экология (ecology)