Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fang'

English Word: fang

Key Russian Translations:

• клык [klɨk] - [Formal, often used in scientific or descriptive contexts]
• икло [iklə] - [Informal, typically for larger animal tusks or in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, biology, and discussions about animals, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and specific vocabulary for body parts; 'клык' is B1, while 'икло' is also B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клык: [klɨk]

Note on клык: The 'ы' sound is a hard, back vowel unique to Russian; pronounce it like the 'i' in "bit" but with a more retracted tongue. Stress on the first syllable.

икло: [iklə]

Note on икло: The final 'o' is often reduced in casual speech to a schwa sound [ə], common in unstressed positions.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A long, pointed tooth of a carnivorous animal

Translation(s) & Context:

• клык - Used in formal or scientific descriptions of animal anatomy, such as in wildlife documentaries or biology texts.
• икло - Applied in informal contexts, like storytelling or casual animal descriptions, especially for larger mammals like elephants or walruses.

Usage Examples:

• У волка острые клыки, которые помогают ему охотиться.

  The wolf has sharp fangs that help it hunt. (Demonstrates basic nominative use in a descriptive sentence.)

• В музее выставлены огромные иклы мамонта из ледникового периода.

  In the museum, there are huge tusks of a mammoth from the Ice Age. (Shows use in a historical or exhibition context.)

• Клык тигра может быть опасным оружием в дикой природе.

  A tiger's fang can be a dangerous weapon in the wild. (Illustrates metaphorical use for threat or danger.)

• Дети в зоопарке увидели слонов с длинными иклами и были в восторге.

  Children at the zoo saw elephants with long tusks and were thrilled. (Depicts everyday observational language.)

• В сказках часто описывают драконов с клыками, сверкающими в лунном свете.

  In fairy tales, dragons are often described with fangs glistening in the moonlight. (Highlights literary or fantastical usage.)

A pointed projection, metaphorically (e.g., in tools or objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• клык - Rarely used metaphorically for non-animal objects, such as in poetic language for spikes or prongs.

Usage Examples:

• Этот нож имеет клык-like острие для резки твердых материалов.

  This knife has a fang-like edge for cutting hard materials. (Shows extended metaphorical application.)

• В горах скалы образуют клыки, напоминающие зубы гигантского существа.

  In the mountains, rocks form fangs that resemble the teeth of a giant creature. (Illustrates poetic or descriptive metaphor.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'клык' and 'икло' are masculine nouns in Russian. 'Клык' belongs to the third declension group and inflects regularly, while 'икло' also inflects as a standard masculine noun. Below is a table for 'клык' inflections; 'икло' follows similar patterns.

For 'икло', the inflections are similar: Nominative singular - икло; Genitive singular - икла; etc. These nouns do not have irregular forms but must agree with adjectives and verbs based on gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: зуб (zub) - More general term for any tooth; икло (iklə) - Often interchangeable with клык for larger projections, but implies size; бивень (bivɛn) - Specifically for tusks like those of elephants.
• Antonyms: гладкий (gladkij) - Meaning "smooth" or non-protruding, as in features without sharp edges.

Related Phrases:

• Острый клык - Sharp fang; A phrase used in descriptions of animals or weapons, implying danger or precision.
• Клыки волка - Fangs of the wolf; Common in folklore or wildlife contexts to evoke imagery of predators.
• Блестящие иклы слона - Shining tusks of the elephant; Often appears in discussions about ivory or natural history.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'клык' directly corresponds to 'fang' in the context of animal teeth, but it's more formal and precise than the English term. Use 'икло' for larger, protruding structures like tusks. Both words are neutrally gendered but must be declined according to Russian case systems. For English speakers, note that 'клык' isn't used for human teeth—opt for 'зуб' instead. When choosing between translations, select based on context: 'клык' for sharp, pointed teeth in predators, and 'икло' for bulkier ones in larger animals.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'клык' interchangeably with 'зуб' (tooth) for general teeth. Correct: 'Клык' is specific to canines or fangs, while 'зуб' covers all teeth. Example of error: *У меня болит клык* (meaning "My fang hurts," which sounds odd for a human). Correct: У меня болит зуб. Explanation: This confusion arises from over-literal translation; always check the context for specificity.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences. Correct: In accusative case, say "Я вижу клык" instead of leaving it undeclined. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'клык' often appears in folklore and literature, symbolizing danger or primal power, as seen in stories about wolves in Russian fairy tales like those of Baba Yaga. It evokes images of the harsh Russian wilderness, where animals with fangs represent survival instincts in a vast, unforgiving landscape.

Related Concepts:

• волк (wolf)
• хищник (predator)
• зубы (teeth)