Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gibbon'

English Word: gibbon

Key Russian Translations:

• гиббон [ɡʲɪˈbon] - [Formal, Scientific contexts, Singular]

Frequency: Low (This word is rarely used in everyday conversation, mostly in specialized texts like biology or wildlife documentaries.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - As a borrowed term, it requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary, but it's straightforward for learners at this level.

Pronunciation (Russian):

гиббон: [ɡʲɪˈbon]

Note on гиббон: The stress falls on the second syllable ("-бон"). The initial "г" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian words of foreign origin. Pay attention to the soft "г" sound, similar to the "g" in "gesture" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A type of ape, specifically a small, long-armed monkey native to tropical forests in Southeast Asia.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гиббон - Used in formal, scientific, or educational contexts when discussing primates or wildlife. It is a direct borrowing and typically appears in singular form unless specifying multiple individuals.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке можно увидеть гиббона, который качается на ветках.

  In the zoo, you can see a gibbon swinging on the branches.

• Гиббоны известны своим громким пением в джунглях Юго-Восточной Азии.

  Gibbons are known for their loud singing in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

• Исследователи изучают, как гиббоны адаптируются к изменению климата.

  Researchers are studying how gibbons adapt to climate change.

• В дикой природе гиббон проводит большую часть времени в кронах деревьев.

  In the wild, a gibbon spends most of its time in the tree canopies.

• Гиббон — это endangered вид, поэтому его охраняют в заповедниках.

  The gibbon is an endangered species, so it is protected in reserves.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гиббон" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is a regular noun with no irregularities, but like many borrowed words, it doesn't have extensive native variations. Below is a table of its basic inflections:

Note: This noun does not change in gender and is invariable in terms of stress across cases, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обезьяна (obez'yana) - A general term for monkey; less specific than гиббон but can be used in broader contexts. It implies a primate but not necessarily the exact species.
  • примат (primat) - Refers to any primate; more scientific and broader, often used in academic discussions.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "гиббон" is a specific animal term and doesn't have direct opposites. However, contrasting terms might include non-primate animals like "собака" (sobaka, dog) in animal classification contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Африканский гиббон (Afrikanskiy gibbon) - Refers to an African species of gibbon; used in wildlife or geographical contexts to specify habitat.
• Гиббон в клетке (Gibbon v kletke) - A gibbon in a cage; common in discussions about zoos or captivity, emphasizing animal welfare.
• Охрана гиббона (Okhrana gibbona) - Protection of the gibbon; used in environmental or conservation talks to highlight endangered status.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "gibbon" as a specific type of ape. It is typically used in formal or educational settings rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "гиббон" in scientific writing for precision, but "обезьяна" if a more general term is needed. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases; for example, use the genitive case (гиббона) when indicating possession, as in "голова гиббона" (the head of the gibbon). This word does not have slang variants, so it's safe for intermediate learners in structured contexts.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "гиббон" with "обезьяна" and using it interchangeably without context. For example, learners might say "Я видел обезьяну в джунглях" when specifically meaning a gibbon, leading to vagueness.

  Correct Usage: Use "гиббон" for accuracy: "Я видел гиббона в джунглях." Explanation: "Обезьяна" is a broader term for any monkey, while "гиббон" specifies the species; this distinction prevents miscommunication in scientific or descriptive language.

• Common Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly, such as using the nominative in all cases (e.g., "с гиббон" instead of "с гиббоном").

  Correct Usage: "С гиббоном в зоопарке" (With the gibbon in the zoo). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so the instrumental case is needed here; ignoring this can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "гиббон" is not deeply embedded in folklore or idioms, as it is a borrowed term. However, it often appears in educational media about wildlife conservation, reflecting Russia's interest in global biodiversity. Discussions around endangered species like the gibbon highlight environmental themes in Russian literature and documentaries, emphasizing the need for protection in regions like Southeast Asia, which ties into broader Russian ecological movements.

Related Concepts:

• обезьяна (monkey)
• примат (primate)
• шимпанзе (chimpanzee)
• заповедник (nature reserve)