Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'finch'

English Word: finch

Key Russian Translations:

• вьюрок [ˈvʲurək] - [Neutral; commonly used in natural or scientific contexts]
• щегол [ˈɕɕeɡəl] - [Informal; specific to certain finch species like the goldfinch]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in ornithology, nature discussions, or literature.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and vocabulary related to animals, but the word's inflections follow standard patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вьюрок: [ˈvʲurək]

щегол: [ˈɕɕeɡəl]

Note on вьюрок: The initial 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative [v], and the 'ю' sound is a palatalized [ju]. Be mindful of the soft sign 'ь' which affects the preceding consonant's pronunciation.

Note on щегол: The 'щ' is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a prolonged 'sh' with a slight whistle.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small bird, often with colorful plumage, belonging to the finch family (Fringillidae).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вьюрок - Used in formal or educational contexts, such as birdwatching or scientific descriptions, to refer to common finches like the Eurasian finch.
• щегол - Applied in informal or poetic contexts, especially for species like the goldfinch, emphasizing vibrant colors.

Usage Examples:

• В саду поёт вьюрок, наполняя воздух мелодичными трелями.

  In the garden, the finch is singing, filling the air with melodious trills.

• Щегол с яркими перьями часто встречается в полях России летом.

  The finch with bright feathers is often seen in the fields of Russia during the summer.

• Орнитологи изучают миграцию вьюрков через Сибирь.

  Ornithologists study the migration of finches across Siberia.

• В русской поэзии щегол символизирует свободу и красоту природы.

  In Russian poetry, the finch symbolizes freedom and the beauty of nature.

• Дети наблюдали, как вьюрок клевал семена в парке.

  The children watched as the finch pecked at seeds in the park.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "вьюрок" and "щегол" are masculine nouns (third declension in Russian). They follow standard noun inflections for gender, number, and case. "Вьюрок" is a regular noun with no irregularities, while "щегол" also adheres to common patterns.

Note: These nouns do not change in the plural for all cases as per standard Russian rules, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зяблик (zyablik) - Similar to вьюрок, often used interchangeably for certain finch species; more common in everyday speech.
  • поползень (popolzen) - Less direct, but used for small birds in some regional dialects; implies climbing behavior.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a specific noun for a type of bird and does not have direct opposites in Russian vocabulary.

Related Phrases:

• Пение вьюрка - The song of the finch; refers to the bird's melodious call, often used in poetic or descriptive contexts.
• Щегол в полёте - Finch in flight; a phrase highlighting the bird's graceful movement, common in nature writing.
• Маленький вьюрок в саду - A small finch in the garden; a simple phrase for casual observations of wildlife.

Usage Notes:

"Вьюрок" directly corresponds to "finch" in English, especially for species like the Eurasian finch, and is preferred in formal or scientific settings. "Щегол" is more specific to colorful finches and carries a poetic connotation. Both words are neutral in terms of register but may vary by region; for example, in rural areas, they might be used more frequently. When choosing between translations, select based on context: use "вьюрок" for general references and "щегол" for emphasis on appearance. Grammatically, remember that these are animate masculine nouns, so accusative forms align with genitive in plural.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "вьюрок" with "воробей" (sparrow): English learners often mistakenly use "воробей" for any small bird. Error: "Я видел воробья в саду" (meaning a sparrow when intending a finch). Correct: "Я видел вьюрка в саду." Explanation: "Воробей" specifically means sparrow, which is larger and more common, so always check the bird's characteristics.
• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error: "Я думаю о вьюрок" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "Я думаю о вьюрке." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so practice declension tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, finches like "вьюрок" often symbolize freedom and the beauty of nature in folklore and literature. For instance, in 19th-century Russian poetry by Pushkin, finches represent rural life and simplicity, evoking nostalgia for the countryside amidst industrialization.

Related Concepts:

• воробей (sparrow)
• ласточка (swallow)
• снегирь (bullfinch)