Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'elephant'

English Word: elephant

Key Russian Translations:

• слон /slon/ - [Formal, Standard usage for the animal]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in everyday contexts like wildlife discussions, children's books, or zoos, but not in high-frequency casual speech.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; the word is straightforward for English learners of Russian due to its simple phonetics and basic vocabulary level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слон: /slon/

Note on слон: The pronunciation is simple with a hard 's' sound as in "sun," followed by a short 'o' vowel. No major variations in standard Russian dialects, but in fast speech, the final 'n' may be slightly softened.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large mammal of the elephant family

Translation(s) & Context:

• слон - Used in general contexts to refer to the animal, especially in educational, zoological, or narrative settings (e.g., in stories or documentaries).

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке есть большой слон.

  In the zoo, there is a big elephant.

• Слон в цирке выполняет трюки.

  The elephant in the circus performs tricks.

• Дети любят смотреть на слона в дикой природе.

  Children love watching the elephant in the wild.

• Африканский слон крупнее, чем индийский.

  The African elephant is larger than the Indian one.

• Слон использует хобот для еды.

  The elephant uses its trunk for eating.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Слон" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its inflections based on number and case:

Note: This noun does not change in gender or have diminutive forms unless specified (e.g., "слоник" for a baby elephant, which is a separate word).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: слоник (a smaller or baby elephant, often used in affectionate contexts); мамонт (mammoth, for prehistoric relatives, with a connotation of ancient history)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "слон" is a specific animal term. However, in broader contexts, opposites might include smaller animals like "мышонок" (mouse).

Related Phrases:

• Больной слон - A sick elephant (Used in contexts discussing animal health or veterinary care.)
• Африканский слон - African elephant (Refers to the species, often in educational or geographical discussions.)
• Слон в комнате - The elephant in the room (A direct borrowing of the English idiom, meaning an obvious problem that's ignored; in Russian, it's used similarly in formal or ironic speech.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "слон" directly corresponds to the English "elephant" in its primary meaning as a large mammal. It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, but always consider case agreements in sentences (e.g., with adjectives or verbs). For example, when describing size, use the genitive case: "большого слона." If multiple translations exist, choose "слон" for general purposes; use diminutives like "слоник" for endearing or child-related contexts. Be mindful of cultural differences: elephants are not native to Russia, so the word often appears in imported contexts like circuses or media.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative case "слон" in all situations, e.g., "Я видел слон" (incorrect; should be accusative "слона").

  Correct: "Я видел слона." Explanation: In Russian, the direct object requires the accusative case, which changes based on the noun's gender and declension.

• Error: Confusing with similar-sounding words like "слона" (genitive of слон) or "слоняться" (to loiter), leading to misuse in sentences.

  Correct: Ensure context clarity; for example, say "Этот слон" (This elephant) instead of mixing with verbs. Explanation: English learners often overlook case endings, which can alter meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, elephants are not indigenous, so "слон" often symbolizes exoticism or is featured in folklore and children's literature, such as in stories by Russian authors like Leo Tolstoy. The phrase "слон в комнате" has been adopted from English to highlight ignored issues, reflecting modern cultural exchanges. Historically, elephants were part of traveling circuses in Russia, adding a layer of nostalgia to the word.

Related Concepts:

• лев (lion)
• тигр (tiger)
• обезьяна (monkey)
• мамонт (mammoth)