Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'folklore'

English Word: folklore

Key Russian Translations:

• фольклор /fɐlʲˈklɔr/ - [Neutral, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in cultural, educational, and academic contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with borrowed words and cultural concepts, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

фольклор: /fɐlʲˈklɔr/

Note on фольклор: The stress falls on the second syllable ('klór'). Pay attention to the soft 'l' sound (palatalized), which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main Meaning: Traditional stories, customs, beliefs, and cultural expressions of a community or people.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фольклор - Used in academic, cultural, or historical discussions to refer to traditional folklore elements like stories and songs; neutral and formal context.

Usage Examples:

• Русский фольклор включает в себя сказки, былины и народные песни.

  Russian folklore includes fairy tales, epic poems, and folk songs. (This example shows the word in a descriptive cultural context.)

• Изучение фольклора помогает понять традиции разных народов.

  Studying folklore helps understand the traditions of different peoples. (Illustrates use in an educational or academic setting.)

• В современном мире фольклор часто адаптируется для фильмов и книг.

  In the modern world, folklore is often adapted for films and books. (Demonstrates the word in a contemporary, evolving context.)

• Фольклор России богат мифами о лесных духах.

  Russian folklore is rich in myths about forest spirits. (Highlights specific cultural elements and noun usage.)

• Международный фестиваль фольклора привлекает туристов со всего мира.

  The international folklore festival attracts tourists from all over the world. (Shows the word in a global or event-based context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Фольклор" is a masculine noun borrowed from English/German, belonging to the second declension group in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but is invariant in plural forms as it typically refers to the concept as a whole. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: As a borrowed word, it does not have irregular inflections, but plural forms are uncommon and may vary in formal writing.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: народное творчество (folk creativity; more emphasis on artistic aspects), фольклорное наследие (folklore heritage; focuses on cultural legacy). Note: "народное творчество" is often used interchangeably but may imply a broader creative tradition.
• Antonyms: современная культура (modern culture; contrasts with traditional elements), урбанистическая литература (urban literature; highlights non-folk aspects).

Related Phrases:

• Русский фольклор - Russian folklore; Refers to the specific traditions of Russian culture.
• Народные сказки - Folk tales; Common stories within folklore, often used in children's literature.
• Фольклорные фестивали - Folklore festivals; Events celebrating traditional arts and customs.
• Традиционный фольклор - Traditional folklore; Emphasizes historical and cultural authenticity.

Usage Notes:

"Фольклор" directly corresponds to the English "folklore" as a neutral, academic term, but it is more commonly used in formal or educational contexts in Russian. Be mindful of its masculine gender when constructing sentences, as it affects adjective agreements (e.g., "русский фольклор" for "Russian folklore"). In everyday speech, Russians might prefer more descriptive phrases like "народные традиции" if discussing casual customs. When choosing between translations, use "фольклор" for precise, borrowed terminology in academic writing, but opt for synonyms in creative or informal settings to sound more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as /folklore/ with an English accent, ignoring the Russian palatalized 'l'. Correct: Use /fɐlʲˈklɔr/ to emphasize the soft consonant. Example of error: Saying "фолк-лор" without palatalization; Correct example: "фольклор" with proper softening.

• Error: Using it in the wrong case, e.g., treating it as feminine in sentences. Correct: Always decline it as a masculine noun, as in "Я изучаю фольклор" (I study folklore), not "Я изучаю фольклора".

• Error: Overusing in casual conversation; it sounds formal. Explanation: In informal settings, say "народные истории" instead to avoid stiffness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "фольклор" holds deep significance, reflecting the nation's rich oral traditions, such as fairy tales by authors like Pushkin and epic poems like "byliny". It often embodies themes of rural life, mythology, and resistance, stemming from historical periods like the Tsarist era. Understanding this helps English speakers appreciate how folklore shapes Russian identity, especially in festivals like Maslenitsa.

Related Concepts:

• сказка (fairy tale)
• былина (epic poem)
• мифология (mythology)
• народные традиции (folk traditions)