Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'goose'

English Word: goose

Key Russian Translations:

• гусь [ɡusʲ] - [Formal, Singular, Masculine, Used in general or zoological contexts]
• гусыня [ɡuˈsɨnə] - [Formal, Singular, Feminine, Used specifically for a female goose]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in everyday conversations about animals, agriculture, or nature, but not as frequent as basic household items.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for basic forms; B1 (Intermediate) for inflections and contextual usage, as it involves understanding Russian noun genders and cases.

Pronunciation (Russian):

гусь: [ɡusʲ]

гусыня: [ɡuˈsɨnə]

Note on гусь: The 'у' is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'book', with a soft 'сʲ' sound that is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Note on гусыня: Similar to 'гусь', but with an additional feminine ending; the 'ы' sound is like the 'i' in 'bit', and it's often stressed on the second syllable in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The bird (animal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гусь - Used for a male goose in formal, scientific, or everyday descriptions of wildlife or farm animals.
• гусыня - Used for a female goose, often in contexts involving breeding, cooking, or specific animal behaviors.

Usage Examples:

• В саду гуси плавают в пруду, издавая громкие крики.

  In the garden, geese are swimming in the pond, making loud noises. (This example shows the plural form in a natural setting.)

• Гусыня охраняет своё гнездо от других птиц.

  The goose is guarding her nest from other birds. (Illustrates the feminine form in a protective context.)

• На ферме разводят гусей для мяса и перьев.

  On the farm, they raise geese for meat and feathers. (Demonstrates usage in an agricultural or economic context.)

• Дикий гусь мигрирует на юг зимой.

  The wild goose migrates south in the winter. (Shows the word in a wildlife or seasonal context.)

• Гуси в парке бегают за детьми, ища еду.

  Geese in the park chase after children, looking for food. (Highlights interactive or playful scenarios.)

Idiomatic or slang usage (e.g., in expressions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гусь (informal slang) - Rarely used idiomatically, but can appear in phrases like "подставить гуся" (to set up a goose), meaning to trick someone, though this is not a direct translation of the English "goose."

Usage Examples:

• Он подставил гуся, чтобы выиграть спор.

  He set up a goose (tricked someone) to win the argument. (This shows a rare idiomatic use, emphasizing deception.)

• В русской пословице говорится: "Гуси летят, а гуси кричат."

  In the Russian proverb: "Geese fly, and geese cry." (Illustrates cultural expressions involving the word.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гусь" is a masculine noun of the third declension, while "гусыня" is a feminine noun. They follow standard Russian inflection patterns with regular changes for cases and numbers. Below is a table for "гусь" (singular and plural):

For "гусыня" (feminine, first declension), it is similar but with feminine endings:

These inflections are regular, but learners should note the vowel changes in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: утка (utka - duck, similar waterfowl); птица (ptitsa - bird, general term)
• Note: "Утка" is not a perfect synonym but is often used in similar contexts for water birds; it implies a different species.
• Antonyms: None direct, as this is a specific animal term, but conceptually: хищник (khishchnik - predator), which contrasts with prey animals.

Related Phrases:

• Домашний гусь - Domestic goose; a common phrase for farm-raised birds, used in culinary or agricultural discussions.
• Дикий гусь - Wild goose; refers to migratory birds, often in nature or environmental contexts.
• Гусиная охота - Goose hunting; a phrase for recreational or survival activities, with cultural ties to Russian folklore.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations for "goose" directly correspond to the animal in most cases, but remember that "гусь" is masculine and defaults to male geese, while "гусыня" is for females. Use the appropriate gender based on context to avoid inaccuracies. In formal writing or scientific texts, stick to these standard terms; in informal speech, they might appear in idioms. English learners should pay attention to case inflections, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions and verbs. When choosing between translations, opt for "гусь" for general references and "гусыня" for gender-specific ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гусь" for a female goose. Correct: Say "гусыня" instead. Example of error: "Эта гусь охраняет гнездо" (incorrect). Correct: "Эта гусыня охраняет гнездо." Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so mismatching can lead to confusion in meaning.

• Error: Forgetting inflections in sentences. Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., "Я вижу гуся" (Accusative) instead of "Я вижу гусь." Explanation: This is a common mistake for beginners, as English doesn't have cases, leading to grammatically incorrect Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, geese are often symbolic in folklore and literature, representing loyalty, protection, or even mischief, as seen in fairy tales like those by Pushkin. They are also a staple in traditional cuisine, such as in roasted goose dishes during holidays, reflecting rural heritage and the importance of agriculture in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• утка (duck)
• курица (chicken)
• птичий мир (bird world)