Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fable'

English Word: fable

Key Russian Translations:

• басня [ˈbasnʲə] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and literary vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

басня: [ˈbasnʲə]

Note on басня: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'н' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft consonant sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A short story with a moral lesson, often involving animals or inanimate objects as characters.

Translation(s) & Context:

• басня - Used in formal, literary, or educational contexts to refer to moralistic stories, such as those in Russian folklore.

Usage Examples:

• Эта басня о лисе и винограде учит нас не верить обманщикам.

  This fable about the fox and the grapes teaches us not to believe deceivers.

• В русской литературе басни Крылова популярны среди детей.

  In Russian literature, Krylov's fables are popular among children.

• Басня часто использует животных для иллюстрации человеческих пороков.

  A fable often uses animals to illustrate human vices.

• Прочитайте эту басню, чтобы понять её мораль.

  Read this fable to understand its moral.

• Басня может быть короткой, но её послание глубокое.

  A fable can be short, but its message is profound.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"басня" is a feminine noun (first declension) in Russian. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сказка (skazka) - More general, often implies fairy tales; differs from басня by being less moralistic.
  • притча (pritcha) - Similar but typically religious or allegorical, used in biblical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • факт (fakt) - Refers to a factual account, lacking fictional or moral elements.
  • реальность (realnost') - Emphasizes reality over fiction.

Related Phrases:

• народная басня (narodnaya basnya) - Folk fable; a traditional story passed down orally, often with cultural morals.
• басня Крылова (basnya Krylova) - Krylov's fable; refers to works by Ivan Krylov, a famous Russian fabulist.
• мораль басни (moral' basni) - The moral of the fable; used to discuss the lesson learned from the story.

Usage Notes:

"Басня" directly corresponds to the English "fable" in literary contexts but is more formal and less common in casual speech. English users should note that Russian often pairs it with adjectives for specificity, such as "народная" for folk tales. When choosing between translations like "басня" and "сказка," opt for "басня" if the story has a clear moral lesson. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying adjectives or verbs (e.g., "эта басня" for "this fable"). Be mindful of cultural nuances where fables are tied to Russian literature.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "басня" with "сказка": English learners might use "сказка" (fairy tale) interchangeably, but this is incorrect as "сказка" lacks the moral focus. Incorrect: "Это сказка о морали" (This is a fairy tale about morals). Correct: "Это басня о морали" (This is a fable about morals). Explanation: "Сказка" implies fantasy without a lesson, while "басня" emphasizes didactic elements.

• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., using nominative "басня" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Книга о басня" (Book about fable). Correct: "Книга о басне" (Book about a fable). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, fables like those written by Ivan Krylov in the 19th century are iconic, often satirizing human behavior through animal characters. They reflect Russia's literary tradition influenced by Aesop and La Fontaine, serving as tools for moral education in schools and embodying values like wit and social critique.

Related Concepts:

• сказка
• притча
• народное творчество