Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grizzly'

English Word: grizzly

Key Russian Translations:

• гризли [ˈɡrɪzli] - [Informal, used in modern or borrowed contexts, often in wildlife discussions]
• серый медведь [ˈsʲerɨj ˈmʲedʲvʲetʲ] - [Formal, standard term in scientific or everyday Russian]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversation; more frequent in specialized contexts like nature documentaries or zoology.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR standards; requires familiarity with animal vocabulary and loanwords, but the core structure is straightforward for learners with basic noun knowledge. For 'серый медведь', it's A2 for beginners due to common words involved.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гризли: [ˈɡrɪzli]

Note on гризли: This is a loanword from English, so the pronunciation closely mirrors the original, with stress on the first syllable. Russians may soften the 'r' sound slightly due to phonetic habits.

серый медведь: [ˈsʲerɨj ˈmʲedʲvʲetʲ]

Note on серый медведь: The 'ы' in 'серый' is a distinct Russian vowel sound, often challenging for English speakers; it's pronounced like a muffled 'i'. The word 'медведь' has a soft 'д' and 'в'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large, brownish-gray bear native to North America (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гризли - Used in informal or educational contexts when referring to the specific North American bear species, often in media or wildlife discussions.
• серый медведь - Employed in formal, scientific, or general Russian contexts; literally means "gray bear" and is a more descriptive equivalent.

Usage Examples:

• В национальных парках Канады часто встречаются гризли.

  In Canada's national parks, grizzly bears are often encountered.

• Гризли — это подвид бурого медведя, обитающий в горах.

  The grizzly is a subspecies of the brown bear that lives in the mountains.

• Серый медведь известен своей силой и осторожностью в дикой природе.

  The gray bear is known for its strength and caution in the wild.

• Туристы должны быть осторожны, чтобы не подойти слишком близко к гризли.

  Tourists should be careful not to approach a grizzly too closely.

Meaning 2: Something grayish or grizzled in appearance, e.g., hair (adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• серый (in compound forms) - Used for describing colors or textures, less directly tied to the bear but applicable in poetic or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• Его борода стала гризли от старости.

  His beard became grizzly with age.

• Серый оттенок шерсти делает волка похожим на гризли.

  The gray shade of the wolf's fur makes it resemble a grizzly.

• В осеннем лесу листья приобретают гризли цвет.

  In the autumn forest, the leaves take on a grizzly color.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. 'Гризли' is a masculine noun and largely indeclinable as a loanword, meaning it doesn't change in most cases. 'Серый медведь' consists of an adjective ('серый') and a noun ('медведь'), which follow standard Russian inflection patterns.

Note: 'Медведь' is a third-declension noun with irregular forms in some cases, which is common in Russian animal names.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бурого медведя (brown bear, emphasizing color variation)
  • американского медведя (American bear, for contextual specificity)
• Antonyms:
  • белый медведь (polar bear, contrasting with the gray/brown appearance)

Brief note: 'Бурого медведя' is a near-synonym but implies a broader category, while 'белый медведь' highlights environmental opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Гризли в дикой природе - Grizzly in the wild (refers to observing bears in their natural habitat).
• Серый медведь в зоопарке - Gray bear in the zoo (common phrase for captive animals).
• Охота на гризли - Hunting grizzly (used in discussions of wildlife conservation or history).

Usage Notes:

'Гризли' is a direct borrowing and should be used when specificity to the North American species is needed, such as in educational or media contexts. In contrast, 'серый медведь' is more versatile for general descriptions and aligns closely with everyday Russian. English speakers should note that Russian often requires agreement in gender, number, and case, so always inflect adjectives like 'серый' accordingly. For multiple translations, choose 'гризли' in informal settings and 'серый медведь' for formal writing to avoid sounding overly literal.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'гризли' as if it were fully inflected, e.g., saying "гризлиs" (incorrect plural). Correct: Stick to the undeclined form or use 'гризли' in singular contexts only. Explanation: As a loanword, it doesn't change, unlike native nouns.

• Error: Confusing 'серый медведь' with 'бурого медведя' and using them interchangeably. Correct: 'Серый медведь' specifically means gray bear, while 'бурого медведя' means brown bear; specify based on context to avoid inaccuracy. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in wildlife discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, bears like the 'серый медведь' symbolize strength and wilderness, often featured in folklore and literature (e.g., in stories by writers like Leo Tolstoy). However, 'гризли' is less culturally embedded in Russia, as it refers to a species primarily from North America, highlighting cross-cultural exchanges in modern media.

Related Concepts:

• Медведь (bear)
• Бурый медведь (brown bear)
• Дикая природа (wild nature)