Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Guinea'

English Word: Guinea

Key Russian Translations:

• Гвинея [ɡʲɪˈnʲejə] - [Formal, Geographical]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in geographical, historical, or formal contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves proper nouns and basic geographical vocabulary; easier for those familiar with world geography)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Гвинея: [ɡʲɪˈnʲejə]

Note on Гвинея: The stress falls on the second syllable ("nʲejə"). The initial "Г" is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the "g" in "go," but with a palatalized quality in Russian pronunciation. Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) affecting the preceding consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The country Guinea in West Africa

Translation(s) & Context:

• Гвинея - Used in formal discussions about geography, politics, or international affairs. It directly corresponds to the English "Guinea" as a country name.

Usage Examples:

• Гвинея расположена на западном побережье Африки и известна своими природными ресурсами.

  Guinea is located on the western coast of Africa and is known for its natural resources.

• Столица Гвинеи — это город Конакри, где проживает значительная часть населения.

  The capital of Guinea is the city of Conakry, where a significant portion of the population lives.

• В Гвинее говорят на французском языке как на официальном, из-за колониального прошлого.

  In Guinea, French is spoken as the official language due to its colonial history.

• Гвинея экспортирует бокситы, что делает её важным игроком в мировой экономике.

  Guinea exports bauxite, making it an important player in the global economy.

• Путешественники часто посещают Гвинею за её уникальную культуру и национальные парки.

  Travelers often visit Guinea for its unique culture and national parks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Гвинея is a proper noun (geographical name) in Russian, which typically does not undergo regular inflection like common nouns. It remains unchanged in most cases, such as in nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional cases. For example:

Note: While it is uninflected as a proper noun, in some poetic or archaic uses, it might follow general noun patterns, but this is rare.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None directly, as it is a specific proper noun. However, related terms include "Республика Гвинея" (Republic of Guinea) for more formal contexts.
• Antonyms: None applicable, as antonyms are not relevant for proper nouns like country names.

Related Phrases:

• Республика Гвинея - Refers to the official name of the country, used in political or diplomatic contexts.
• Западная Гвинея - Historically refers to a region, though it may be confused with other areas; used in discussions of colonial history.
• Гвинея-Бисау - A neighboring country; often mentioned in regional contexts to distinguish from Guinea.

Usage Notes:

When translating "Guinea" to Russian, use "Гвинея" primarily for the country in West Africa. It is a formal term and should be capitalized as a proper noun. In English-Russian contexts, ensure it is not confused with other meanings like "guinea pig" (translated as "Морская свинка"). Grammatically, it functions as an indeclinable noun in most cases, but pay attention to case endings in sentences (e.g., "в Гвинее" for "in Guinea"). For learners, choose this term in geographical or international discussions, and avoid casual variations unless specified.

Common Errors:

• Common mistake: Confusing "Гвинея" with "Гвиана" (Guyana). Incorrect: "Гвинея — это страна в Южной Америке." (Wrongly placing it in South America.) Correct: "Гвиана — это страна в Южной Америке, а Гвинея — в Африке." Explanation: These are distinct regions; always verify geographical context to avoid mix-ups.

• Another error: Incorrect pronunciation, such as stressing the wrong syllable. Incorrect pronunciation: [ɡʲɪnʲeˈjə] (stress on first syllable). Correct: [ɡʲɪˈnʲejə]. Explanation: Russian stress patterns are crucial; misstressing can lead to misunderstandings in spoken language.

Cultural Notes:

Гвинея has a diverse cultural landscape shaped by its ethnic groups, such as the Mandinka and Fulani peoples. It gained independence from France in 1958, and its history includes influences from colonial rule, which is often reflected in discussions of African post-colonial identity. The term carries connotations of resilience and natural wealth, as Guinea is rich in minerals like bauxite, but it also evokes challenges like political instability.

Related Concepts:

• Африка (Africa)
• Западная Африка (West Africa)
• Франкоязычные страны (French-speaking countries)