Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'estuary'

English Word: estuary

Key Russian Translations:

• эстуарий [ɛs.tu.ɐˈrʲij] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (This term is primarily used in specialized contexts like geography, ecology, or scientific discussions, rather than everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level should be familiar with borrowed words and basic geographical vocabulary, but the concept may require additional context for full understanding.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эстуарий: [ɛs.tu.ɐˈrʲij]

Note on эстуарий: The stress falls on the third syllable ('rʲij'). Pronunciation may vary slightly by region in Russia, with a softer 'rʲ' sound in standard Moscow dialect. Pay attention to the vowel shifts for accurate articulation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The mouth of a river where it meets the sea, often with tidal influences

Translation(s) & Context:

• эстуарий - Used in formal, scientific, or geographical contexts to describe a specific type of coastal feature; it is a direct borrowing from English and Latin roots.

Usage Examples:

• Эстуарий реки Волги является важным экосистемной зоной.

  The estuary of the Volga River is an important ecosystem zone.

• В эстуарии Темза наблюдается высокая биологическая активность.

  In the Thames Estuary, there is high biological activity.

• Исследователи изучают эстуарии для понимания изменений климата.

  Researchers study estuaries to understand climate changes.

• Эстуарий может быть подвержен загрязнению из-за промышленных отходов.

  An estuary can be susceptible to pollution from industrial waste.

• Путешественники наслаждаются видами эстуария в утреннем свете.

  Travelers enjoy the views of the estuary in the morning light.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эстуарий" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English, and it follows the standard patterns of third-declension nouns in Russian. It is relatively invariable in modern usage but can inflect for case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a borrowed word, "эстуарий" does not have irregular forms, but its plural is less commonly used unless referring to multiple estuaries.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: устье (ust'ye) - More general term for a river mouth; бухта (bukhta) - If implying a bay-like feature, with a connotation of enclosure.
• устье is often used interchangeably but may imply a simpler mouth without tidal emphasis.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific geographical term, but conceptually, an antonym could be "источник" (istochnik) meaning "source" of a river.

Related Phrases:

• эстуарная зона - Estuarine zone; refers to the transitional area between river and sea, often with unique ecological characteristics.
• эстуарные отложения - Estuarine deposits; used in geological contexts to describe sediments in such areas.
• загрязнение эстуария - Pollution of the estuary; a common phrase in environmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Эстуарий" directly corresponds to the English "estuary" and is used in formal or academic settings. It is not common in everyday Russian speech, so English learners should reserve it for scientific or geographical topics. When choosing between translations like "эстуарий" and "устье", opt for "эстуариий" if emphasizing tidal influences or ecological aspects. Grammatically, it functions as a standard masculine noun, so ensure correct case agreement in sentences (e.g., "в эстуарии" for "in the estuary").

Common Errors:

• Confusing "эстуарий" with "устье": Learners might use "устье" interchangeably, but "устье" is broader and doesn't imply tidal dynamics. Correct: "Эстуарий имеет приливы" (The estuary has tides). Incorrect: "Устье имеет приливы" (which is possible but less precise).
• Misinflecting the noun: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "в эстуарий" instead of "в эстуарии" for locative contexts. Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; always check the prepositional case for "in" phrases.
• Overusing in informal speech: Attempting to use "эстуарий" in casual conversation, where it sounds unnatural. Correct approach: Stick to neutral terms like "речной устье" in everyday contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, estuaries like the Volga Delta or the Neva Estuary hold historical and ecological significance. The Neva Estuary, for instance, is tied to St. Petersburg's founding and serves as a gateway to the Baltic Sea, symbolizing Russia's maritime heritage and vulnerability to environmental changes.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• море (sea)
• дельта (delta)
• бухта (bay)