Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flounder'

English Word: flounder

Key Russian Translations:

• Камбала [kɐmˈbalə] - [Noun, for a type of flatfish; Informal/Neutral]
• Бормотать [bɐrmɐˈtatʲ] - [Verb, for struggling or mumbling in speech; Informal]
• Путаться [pʊˈtatsə] - [Verb, for getting confused or struggling clumsily; Neutral]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "камбала" is common in everyday contexts like cooking or fishing, while verb forms like "бормотать" and "путаться" appear in conversational or literary Russian but not as frequently as basic verbs).

Difficulty: B1 for "камбала" (intermediate, as it's a straightforward noun); B2 for "бормотать" and "путаться" (upper intermediate, due to verb conjugations and contextual nuances in CEFR terms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Камбала: [kɐmˈbalə]

Бормотать: [bɐrmɐˈtatʲ] (Note on Бормотать: The "тʲ" sound is a palatalized 't', which can be tricky for English speakers; emphasize the stress on the third syllable for natural flow.)

Путаться: [pʊˈtatsə] (Note on Путаться: The initial "пʊ" is a short 'u' sound; be careful with the soft 'ts' ending, common in Russian verbs.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun, meaning a type of flatfish used in cooking or marine contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Камбала - Used in everyday discussions about food, fishing, or biology; neutral context in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• В магазине я купил свежую камбалу для ужина. (In the store, I bought fresh flounder for dinner.)

  Translation: In the store, I bought fresh flounder for dinner. (This example shows the noun in a simple shopping context.)

• Камбала - это популярная рыба в русской кухне, особенно в запеченном виде. (Flounder is a popular fish in Russian cuisine, especially when baked.)

  Translation: Flounder is a popular fish in Russian cuisine, especially when baked. (Illustrates cultural and culinary usage.)

• Во время рыбалки мы поймали несколько камбал. (During fishing, we caught several flounders.)

  Translation: During fishing, we caught several flounders. (Demonstrates plural form in a recreational context.)

• Камбала обитает на дне морском и имеет плоское тело. (Flounder lives on the sea bottom and has a flat body.)

  Translation: Flounder lives on the sea bottom and has a flat body. (Shows descriptive, educational usage.)

• В ресторане подали камбалу с гарниром из овощей. (In the restaurant, they served flounder with a vegetable side dish.)

  Translation: In the restaurant, they served flounder with a vegetable side dish. (Highlights formal dining context.)

As a verb, meaning to struggle clumsily, mumble, or get confused in speech or action.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бормотать - Used for unclear or hesitant speaking; informal, often in emotional or frustrated contexts.
• Путаться - Used for getting tangled or confused in thoughts/actions; neutral, in problem-solving or daily mishaps.

Usage Examples:

• Он бормотал что-то под нос, пытаясь объяснить свою ошибку. (He was floundering, mumbling something under his breath while trying to explain his mistake.)

  Translation: He was floundering, mumbling something under his breath while trying to explain his mistake. (This shows the verb in a speech-related struggle.)

• В воде лодка начала путаться в водорослях. (The boat started floundering in the seaweed in the water.)

  Translation: The boat started floundering in the seaweed in the water. (Illustrates physical struggling in a natural setting.)

• Она путалась в своих мыслях во время презентации. (She was floundering in her thoughts during the presentation.)

  Translation: She was floundering in her thoughts during the presentation. (Demonstrates mental confusion in a professional context.)

• Ребёнок бормотал слова, когда учил новый язык. (The child was floundering, mumbling words while learning a new language.)

  Translation: The child was floundering, mumbling words while learning a new language. (Shows learning or developmental usage.)

• В толпе он путался, не находя выход. (In the crowd, he was floundering, unable to find the way out.)

  Translation: In the crowd, he was floundering, unable to find the way out. (Highlights navigation or chaotic situations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "Камбала" (feminine noun, 1st declension):

Note: This follows standard feminine noun patterns with no irregularities.

For "Бормотать" and "Путаться" (imperfective verbs, 1st conjugation):

These verbs are regular but reflexive for "Путаться", requiring the particle "ся/сь".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Камбала: Плоская рыба (flat fish; more general term)
  • Бормотать: Мямлить (mumble; similar in informal speech, but implies more hesitation)
  • Путаться: Запутываться (get tangled; emphasizes entanglement over confusion)
• Antonyms:
  • Бормотать: Говорить чётко (speak clearly; opposite in speech clarity)
  • Путаться: Ориентироваться (orient oneself; opposite in navigation or clarity)

Related Phrases:

• Свежая камбала на гриле - Fresh flounder on the grill; a common culinary phrase in Russian recipes.
• Бормотать под нос - To mumble under one's breath; used for muttering in frustration or secrecy.
• Путаться в сетях - To get tangled in nets; metaphorical for confusion in complex situations.

Usage Notes:

"Камбала" directly corresponds to the English noun for the fish and is straightforward in neutral contexts, but avoid using it metaphorically. For verbs like "бормотать" and "путаться", they align with the English verb "flounder" in terms of struggle, but "бормотать" is speech-specific (e.g., in informal conversations), while "путаться" suits physical or mental tangles. Choose based on context: use "бормотать" for verbal hesitation and "путаться" for broader confusion. Grammatically, verbs require proper conjugation and may need reflexive particles like "ся".

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "бормотать" with "бормотить" (a less common variant), but the correct form is "бормотать". Error: Saying "Я бормотит" instead of "Я бормочу". Correct: "Я бормочу" (I mumble), as it must agree with the subject.
• For "путаться", forgetting the reflexive particle: Error: "Я путаю" (which means "I confuse someone else"), instead of "Я путаюсь" (I get confused). Explanation: Always add "ся" for self-referential actions to convey the struggling aspect accurately.

Cultural Notes:

"Камбала" is not just a fish but a staple in Russian coastal cuisine, often featured in traditional dishes from regions like the Black Sea. In literature, verbs like "бормотать" might evoke images of introspective characters in Russian classics, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where mumbling reflects inner turmoil.

Related Concepts:

• Рыба (fish)
• Запутаться (to get entangled)
• Мямлить (to mumble)