Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'giraffe'

English Word: giraffe

Key Russian Translations:

• жираф [ʐɨˈraf] - [Formal, Standard; used in general contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in educational, zoological, or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; as a basic noun, it is straightforward for English speakers to learn, with no irregular features.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жираф: [ʐɨˈraf]

Note on жираф: The initial sound [ʐ] is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure" in English, but rolled. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in pronunciation may occur regionally, but this is the standard Moscow dialect form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The tall African mammal with a very long neck.

Translation(s) & Context:

• жираф - Used in general, formal, or educational contexts to refer to the animal in wildlife discussions, zoos, or children's literature.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке есть высокий жираф с длинной шеей.

  In the zoo, there is a tall giraffe with a long neck. (This example shows the noun in a descriptive, singular context.)

• Дети наблюдали за жирафом во время сафари в Африке.

  Children observed the giraffe during a safari in Africa. (Illustrates use in a narrative or travel-related sentence.)

• Жирафы в дикой природе питаются листьями с высоких деревьев.

  Giraffes in the wild feed on leaves from high trees. (Demonstrates plural form and habitual action.)

• Этот жираф в музее сделан из пластика.

  This giraffe in the museum is made of plastic. (Shows the word in a non-literal, artificial context.)

• Жираф — одно из самых высоких животных на планете.

  The giraffe is one of the tallest animals on the planet. (Used in a factual or scientific statement.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Жираф" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it easy for beginners to inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None directly, as "жираф" is a specific term. However, длинношеий (meaning "long-necked") could be used descriptively in poetic contexts.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a specific animal name without direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Африканский жираф - African giraffe; refers to the species native to Africa.
• Жираф в зоопарке - Giraffe in the zoo; a common phrase for educational or tourist contexts.
• Высокий жираф - Tall giraffe; emphasizes the animal's height in descriptive language.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "giraffe" as a straightforward noun. Use "жираф" in formal or neutral contexts, such as wildlife documentaries, textbooks, or conversations about animals. It is gender-neutral in English but masculine in Russian, so ensure correct agreement with adjectives (e.g., высокий жираф for "tall giraffe"). When choosing between translations, "жираф" is the only standard option. Be mindful of Russian case endings in sentences, as they affect word order and prepositions (e.g., в жирафе for "in the giraffe").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу жираф" instead of "Я вижу жирафа" in accusative contexts. Correct: Я вижу жирафа. Explanation: In Russian, direct objects require the accusative case, so the ending changes from "жираф" to "жирафа".

• Error: Forgetting plural forms, e.g., saying "жираф" when referring to multiple animals. Correct: Use "жирафы" for plural. Explanation: English speakers might overlook Russian's obligatory plural marking, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "жираф" is often featured in children's literature and folktales, symbolizing exoticism due to Russia's geographical distance from African wildlife. It may appear in educational media to teach about global biodiversity, but it lacks deep historical or symbolic connotations in Russian folklore compared to native animals like bears or wolves.

Related Concepts:

• слон (elephant)
• лев (lion)
• зебра (zebra)