Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gazelle'

English Word: gazelle

Key Russian Translations:

• газель (/ɡɐˈzʲelʲ/) - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in contexts related to wildlife, zoology, and literature, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English speakers due to phonetic similarities, but requires basic understanding of Russian noun genders and declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

газель: /ɡɐˈzʲelʲ/

Note on газель: The "з" is pronounced as a soft "z" sound (/zʲ/), which can be challenging for beginners. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The animal: A small, swift antelope found in Africa and Asia, known for its grace and speed.

Translation(s) & Context:

• газель - Used in formal and educational contexts, such as wildlife discussions, documentaries, or scientific texts. It directly corresponds to the English "gazelle" in zoological terminology.

Usage Examples:

• В африканских саваннах часто можно увидеть газель, бегущую с невероятной скоростью.

  In the African savannas, you can often see a gazelle running at incredible speed.

• Газель — это грациозное животное, которое символизирует свободу в многих культурах.

  The gazelle is a graceful animal that symbolizes freedom in many cultures.

• В зоопарке дети с восторгом наблюдали за газелью, прыгающей по вольеру.

  In the zoo, children watched with delight as the gazelle jumped around the enclosure.

• Охотники в пустыне должны быть осторожны, чтобы не потревожить стаю газелей.

  Hunters in the desert must be careful not to disturb a herd of gazelles.

• Газель часто упоминается в русских сказках как быстроногое существо, ускользающее от опасностей.

  The gazelle is often mentioned in Russian folktales as a swift creature that escapes dangers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"газель" is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows regular patterns for Russian feminine nouns ending in -ь. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy to learn for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: антилопа (antelope; more general term, often used interchangeably but less specific to gazelles), сайга (saiga; refers to a specific type of antelope)
• Antonyms: (Not directly applicable, as "gazelle" is a specific animal; however, predators like лев (lion) could be considered contextual opposites in wildlife discussions.)

Related Phrases:

• Африканская газель (African gazelle) - Refers to species native to Africa, often used in geographical or ecological contexts.
• Газель в пустыне (Gazelle in the desert) - A common phrase in literature or travel descriptions, emphasizing adaptation to arid environments.
• Быстрая как газель (As fast as a gazelle) - An idiomatic expression meaning extremely quick, used metaphorically in everyday speech.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "газель" directly translates to the English "gazelle" and is used in similar contexts, such as biology, literature, or casual animal discussions. It is a feminine noun, so it must agree in gender with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "красивая газель" for "beautiful gazelle"). Be mindful of declensions when using it in sentences; for instance, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "газели". English speakers might find it straightforward due to phonetic similarities, but avoid overusing it in informal settings where more general terms like "антилопа" could suffice. If multiple translations exist, choose "газель" for precision in scientific contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the soft "з" as a hard "z" sound, e.g., saying /ɡæˈzel/ instead of /ɡɐˈzʲelʲ/.
  Correct: Practice the palatalized sound; example: Incorrect: "Газель" as /ɡæzel/, Correct: "Газель" as /ɡɐˈzʲelʲ/. This error can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., using "газель" in all cases.
  Correct: In genitive case, use "газели" (e.g., "цвет газели" for "color of the gazelle"); example: Incorrect: "Я видел газель в зоопарк", Correct: "Я видел газель в зоопарке".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "газель" often appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of grace, speed, and elusiveness, similar to its role in other traditions. For instance, in Russian fairy tales, it represents freedom and agility, drawing from Central Asian and African influences due to historical trade routes. This cultural connotation can add poetic depth when used in creative writing.

Related Concepts:

• антилопа
• сайга
• лев (lion)