Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ewe'

English Word: ewe

Key Russian Translations:

• овца (/ˈov.tsə/) - [Feminine Noun, Common; Refers specifically to a female sheep in everyday or agricultural contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not used in daily conversation but appears in contexts like farming, literature, or biology.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Basic vocabulary for animal names, easy to learn with simple declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

овца: /ˈov.tsə/ (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ts' sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to 'ts' in 'cats'.)

Note on овца: Be cautious with the final 'a' sound, which softens in casual speech. In some dialects, it may vary slightly, but standard Russian pronunciation is straightforward.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A female sheep

Translation(s) & Context:

• овца - Used in general contexts for referring to female sheep in agriculture, wildlife, or descriptive narratives (e.g., in formal writing or educational materials).

Usage Examples:

• В фермерском хозяйстве есть несколько овец, которые дают много шерсти.

  In the farm, there are several ewes that produce a lot of wool.

• Молодая овца пасётся на лугу рядом с рекой.

  The young ewe is grazing in the meadow by the river.

• Овца в стаде всегда следует за вожаком.

  The ewe in the flock always follows the leader.

• Во время стрижки овец фермеры используют специальные ножницы.

  During the shearing of ewes, farmers use special shears.

• Эта овца родила двух lambs в прошлом году.

  This ewe gave birth to two lambs last year.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Овца" is a feminine noun in the first declension group, which means it follows standard patterns for Russian nouns ending in -a. It changes based on case, number, and gender. There are no irregularities, making it straightforward for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • самка овцы (more descriptive, used in scientific or precise contexts to emphasize gender)
  • овечка (a diminutive form, implying affection or small size, e.g., for young ewes)
• Antonyms:
  • баран (ram; refers to a male sheep)

Related Phrases:

• стадо овец - A flock of sheep; Commonly used in rural or agricultural discussions to describe groups of animals.
• стрижка овец - Shearing of ewes; Refers to the process of removing wool, often in farming contexts.
• овечье молоко - Ewe's milk; Used in contexts related to dairy products or traditional foods.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "овца" directly corresponds to the English "ewe" when specifying a female sheep, but it can also mean "sheep" in general if gender isn't emphasized. It's typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as scientific texts, literature, or everyday farming talk. Avoid using it in casual city conversations where animal vocabulary is rare. When choosing between translations, opt for "овца" over more descriptive phrases like "самка овцы" unless precision is needed. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "большая овца" for "big ewe").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "овца" interchangeably with "баран" (ram). Correct: "Овца" specifically means female sheep, so in a sentence like "This is a ewe," say "Это овца," not "Это баран." Explanation: This confusion arises from not noting gender in Russian nouns, leading to mix-ups in animal descriptions.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., saying "Я вижу овца" instead of "Я вижу овцу" in accusative case. Correct: Always decline properly based on the sentence structure, as shown in the inflections table above. Explanation: English learners often forget Russian's case system, which changes endings for grammatical roles.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sheep and ewes are often associated with rural life, folklore, and traditional agriculture. For instance, in Russian fairy tales like those by Pushkin, sheep might symbolize innocence or pastoral simplicity. Historically, sheep farming was crucial in regions like the Caucasus, influencing cuisine (e.g., dishes made from ewe's milk) and proverbs, such as "Овца на волка не похожа" (A sheep is not like a wolf), emphasizing differences in character.

Related Concepts:

• баран (ram)
• лама (lamb)
• стадо (flock)
• ферма (farm)