Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feather'

English Word: feather

Key Russian Translations:

• перо /ˈpʲɛ.rə/ - [Formal, Informal, Singular; Used in general contexts for literal feathers or metaphorical references]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in nature, literature, and idiomatic expressions, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "дом" (house))

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; Straightforward for English speakers due to its basic nominal form, but requires understanding of Russian declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

перо: /ˈpʲɛ.rə/

Note on перо: The initial "п" is pronounced with slight aspiration, and the "ё" sound (/ʲɛ/) may vary slightly in rapid speech. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects the preceding consonant's pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: A bird's feather or plume

Translation(s) & Context:

• перо - Used in contexts related to birds, nature, or metaphors for lightness and fragility in everyday conversation or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Птица потеряла перо во время полёта.

  The bird lost a feather during flight.

• На земле лежало белое перо от вороны.

  A white feather from a crow was lying on the ground.

• Дети собрали перья для школьного проекта.

  The children collected feathers for a school project.

• Перо плавно падало с неба, как символ свободы.

  The feather floated down from the sky as a symbol of freedom.

Extended Meaning: A quill pen or writing instrument (historical or metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• перо - Used in historical, literary, or artistic contexts, such as referring to old writing tools or metaphorically for creativity.

Usage Examples:

• Писатель мастерил перо из птичьего пера для рукописей.

  The writer crafted a quill from a bird's feather for manuscripts.

• В музее выставлено старинное перо Шекспира.

  Shakespeare's old quill pen is displayed in the museum.

• Её слова текли с пера, как поэзия.

  Her words flowed from the pen like poetry.

• Перо журналиста стало инструментом для правды.

  The journalist's pen became a tool for truth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Перо" is a neuter noun in the third declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a declension table for "перо" in singular and plural forms:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: пушинка (down feather, softer and more specific to fluffy feathers), оперение (plumage, for collections of feathers)
• Antonyms: коготь (claw, as an opposite feature in animals), перья отсутствуют (no direct antonym, but this implies absence)

Related Phrases:

• Птицы перо - A bird's feather; Used in descriptive contexts, e.g., in nature documentaries.
• Маховое перо - Flight feather; Refers to feathers used for flying, common in ornithology.
• Перо в шапке - A feather in the cap; Idiomatic for an achievement or honor, with a connotation of pride.
• Крыло и перо - Wing and feather; Often in poetic or metaphorical phrases about birds or freedom.

Usage Notes:

"Перо" directly corresponds to the English "feather" in its literal sense but can also extend to writing instruments, reflecting historical influences in Russian language. It is versatile across formal and informal settings, but be cautious in poetic or literary contexts where it may carry symbolic weight. When choosing this translation, consider the context: for birds, it's straightforward; for pens, it aligns with older usages. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to avoid errors, as English speakers often overlook this.

• In formal writing, pair it with adjectives like "лёгкое перо" (light feather) for emphasis.
• Avoid overusing in casual speech; opt for synonyms if needed for variety.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "перо" correctly, such as using the nominative form in all cases (e.g., saying "Я увидел перо" instead of "Я увидел перо" in accusative, which is correct here, but errors occur in genitive like "птицы перо" instead of "птицы пера"). Correct usage: Incorrect: "У меня нет перо" (should be "У меня нет пера" in genitive). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure to match the noun's role.

Another common mistake is confusing it with "перья" (feathers, plural) when singular is intended, leading to number mismatches.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "перо" often symbolizes freedom, lightness, and creativity, as seen in folklore and literature. For instance, in Russian fairy tales, a feather might represent a magical element, like in stories involving firebirds. Historically, it also evokes the era of quill pens, linking to Russia's literary heritage with figures like Pushkin, who used feathers for writing.

Related Concepts:

• крыло (wing)
• птица (bird)
• оперение (plumage)
• пушок (down)