Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'duck'

English Word: duck

Key Russian Translations:

• утка [ˈutka] - [Noun, Common, Singular; used for the animal or bird]
• уклониться [ʊklɐˈnʲit͡sə] - [Verb, Informal; used for the action of dodging or evading]
• пригнуться [prʲɪɡˈnut͡sə] - [Verb, Informal; used specifically for ducking down to avoid something]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., 'утка' is commonly used in everyday conversation, while verb forms like 'уклониться' are medium in formal contexts)

Difficulty: A1 for 'утка' (beginner level for basic nouns); B1 for verbs like 'уклониться' or 'пригнуться' (intermediate, due to verb conjugations and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

утка: [ˈutka] (stressed on the first syllable; the 'у' sounds like 'oo' in 'book')

уклониться: [ʊklɐˈnʲit͡sə] (stressed on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'нʲ' which is a soft 'n')

пригнуться: [prʲɪɡˈnut͡sə] (stressed on the second syllable; the 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g')

Note on утка: In some dialects, the vowel in the first syllable may vary slightly, but standard Russian uses a clear [u].

Note on уклониться: This is a perfective verb; pay attention to the infinitive ending for correct pronunciation in sentences.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A waterbird (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• утка - Used in general contexts for describing the animal, such as in wildlife, cooking, or idioms. Common in informal and formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Утка плавает в пруду. (The duck is swimming in the pond.)

  Translation: The duck is swimming in the pond. (This example shows the noun in a simple descriptive context.)

• Мы ели утку на ужин. (We ate duck for dinner.)

  Translation: We ate duck for dinner. (Illustrates use in a culinary context, with accusative case.)

• Эта утка migratory, она улетает на юг зимой. (This duck is migratory; it flies south in winter.)

  Translation: This duck is migratory; it flies south in winter. (Demonstrates use with adjectives and in descriptive sentences.)

• В зоопарке много уток. (There are many ducks in the zoo.)

  Translation: There are many ducks in the zoo. (Shows plural form in a public setting.)

Meaning 2: To dodge or bend down quickly (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уклониться - Used in contexts involving evasion, like in sports or avoiding danger; often formal or narrative.
• пригнуться - Used for physically ducking, such as in action scenes; more informal and action-oriented.

Usage Examples:

• Он уклонился от удара. (He dodged the blow.)

  Translation: He dodged the blow. (This shows the verb in a defensive context, conjugated in past tense.)

• Пригнись, чтобы избежать пули! (Duck down to avoid the bullet!)

  Translation: Duck down to avoid the bullet! (Imperative form, emphasizing urgency in a dangerous scenario.)

• В футболе игрок уклонился от защитника. (In soccer, the player dodged the defender.)

  Translation: In soccer, the player dodged the defender. (Contextual use in sports, with perfective aspect.)

• Она пригнулась под низкой веткой. (She ducked under the low branch.)

  Translation: She ducked under the low branch. (Physical action in everyday situations.)

• Чтобы уклониться от дождя, он спрятался под зонтом. (To dodge the rain, he hid under an umbrella.)

  Translation: To dodge the rain, he hid under an umbrella. (Figurative use with infinitive form.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'утка' (feminine noun, 1st declension):

For verbs like 'уклониться' (perfective, irregular conjugation):

• Present: Not used (as it's perfective; use imperfective 'уклоняться' for ongoing actions).
• Past: уклонился (masc.), уклонилась (fem.), уклонилось (neut.), уклонились (plur.).
• Future: уклонюсь, уклонишься, etc.

'пригнуться' follows similar patterns as a perfective verb with standard conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Утка: уточка (for a young or small duck; more affectionate)
  • Уклониться: увернуться (to evade quickly; often in sports)
  • Пригнуться: приседать (to crouch down; more general)
• Antonyms:
  • Уклониться: подставиться (to expose oneself)
  • Пригнуться: выпрямиться (to straighten up)

Related Phrases:

• Утка по-пекински - A traditional Chinese dish adapted in Russian cuisine; means "Peking duck" and is used in culinary contexts.
• Уклониться от ответственности - To evade responsibility; a common phrase in legal or ethical discussions.
• Пригнуться под ударом - To duck under a blow; used in martial arts or metaphorical contexts for avoiding conflict.

Usage Notes:

'Утка' directly corresponds to the English 'duck' as a noun and is neutral in most contexts, but in Russian, it can also imply something fake in journalism (e.g., 'fake news' as 'утка'). For verbs, 'уклониться' is more formal and perfective, so use it for completed actions, while 'пригнуться' is for immediate physical reactions. Choose based on context: opt for 'утка' in animal-related discussions and verbs in action scenarios. Always consider gender agreement for nouns and aspect for verbs to match English intent accurately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'утка' as a verb (e.g., confusing it with dodging). Correct: 'Утка' is only a noun; use 'уклониться' instead. Example of error: *Утка от удара* (incorrect). Correct: Уклонись от удара. Explanation: English learners often mix noun and verb forms; remember to select the appropriate part of speech.
• Error: Forgetting noun declension, e.g., saying *Я вижу утка* instead of *Я вижу утку*. Correct: Я вижу утку. Explanation: Russian requires case endings; always adjust based on sentence role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'утка' can refer to a 'duck' in folktales, symbolizing simplicity or domestic life, as seen in stories like those by Russian authors. Additionally, the phrase 'утка' in media slang means a false story or hoax, reflecting a cultural wariness of misinformation in journalism.

Related Concepts:

• Гусь (goose)
• Птица (bird)
• Увернуться (to dodge)