Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'duckling'

English Word: duckling

Key Russian Translations:

• утёнок [/uˈtʲonək/] - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday contexts for young ducks]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in general conversations about animals, children's stories, and nature, but not as frequently as basic everyday words like 'cat' or 'dog').

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Suitable for early learners as it involves simple vocabulary and basic noun forms in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

утёнок: /uˈtʲonək/

Note on утёнок: The 'тʲ' sound is a palatalized 't', which can be challenging for English speakers. It sounds like a quick 'ty' as in 'tune'. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A young duck, typically referring to a baby bird of the duck species.

Translation(s) & Context:

• утёнок - Used in informal and everyday contexts, such as describing wildlife, children's books, or farm animals. It is a diminutive form implying cuteness or youthfulness.

Usage Examples:

• Утёнок плывёт по пруду, размахивая лапками.

  The duckling is swimming in the pond, flapping its feet. (This example shows the noun in a simple present tense sentence, emphasizing action in a natural setting.)

• Маленький утёнок потерялся в лесу и искал свою маму.

  The little duckling got lost in the forest and was looking for its mother. (Illustrates the word in a narrative context, common in stories for children.)

• Утёнки вылупляются из яиц весной, когда тает снег.

  Ducklings hatch from eggs in the spring when the snow melts. (Demonstrates usage in a factual or educational context, highlighting seasonal themes.)

• Дети наблюдали за утёнком в зоопарке через стекло.

  The children watched the duckling in the zoo through the glass. (Shows the word in a observational or interactive scenario.)

• Утёнок учится летать, но пока ещё слишком слаб.

  The duckling is learning to fly, but it's still too weak. (This example incorporates the word in a developmental context, varying sentence structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Утёнок" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural form "утята" is a diminutive plural, often used to convey affection or youthfulness, which is common in Russian for animal names.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: птенец утки (literally 'duck chick' - more formal or descriptive, used in scientific contexts); уточка (a more affectionate diminutive, similar to 'little duckling').
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific animal term. However, for contrast, взрослый утка (adult duck) could imply the opposite stage of life.

Related Phrases:

• Маленький утёнок - Little duckling (Used in children's stories; implies something cute or vulnerable).
• Утёнок из сказки - Duckling from a fairy tale (Refers to contexts like Andersen's story; English explanation: Often symbolizes innocence or transformation).
• Потерявшийся утёнок - Lost duckling (Common in narratives; English explanation: Highlights themes of adventure or reunion in Russian folklore).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "утёнок" directly corresponds to "duckling" as a diminutive form, making it a precise match for English users. It is typically used in informal settings, such as conversations about nature, children's literature, or animal care. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases; for example, use the genitive form "утёнка" when indicating possession (e.g., "хвост утёнка" for "the duckling's tail"). If multiple translations exist, choose "утёнок" for everyday contexts, but "птенец утки" for more formal or scientific discussions. Avoid overusing diminutives in formal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "утёнок" with "утка" (which means 'duck' for the adult female). Incorrect: "Утка маленькая" (meaning 'small duck' but implying an adult). Correct: "Утёнок маленький". Explanation: "Утёнок" specifically denotes youth, so use it for baby ducks to avoid misrepresenting age.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я видел утёнок" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я видел утёнка" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to unnatural phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

"Утёнок" is famously associated with Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" (in Russian, "Гадкий утёнок"), which has been translated and adapted in Russian culture. This story symbolizes themes of self-acceptance and transformation, often used in education to teach children about bullying and personal growth. In Russian folklore, ducks and their young are common motifs in stories, reflecting the country's rural heritage and connection to nature.

Related Concepts:

• утка (duck)
• птенец (chick or fledgling)
• гусь (goose)
• цыплёнок (chick)