Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gulch'

English Word: gulch

Key Russian Translations:

• ущелье /uˈɕːelʲjə/ - [Formal, Geographical term]

Frequency: Low (The word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in geographical or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding specific geographical vocabulary and basic noun inflections; suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ущелье: /uˈɕːelʲjə/

Note on ущелье: The "щ" sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the "sh" in "she" but more sibilant. Stress falls on the second syllable. Regional variations may soften the pronunciation in some dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A narrow and steep-sided ravine or valley, often formed by erosion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ущелье - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as geography, literature, or travel descriptions, to refer to natural formations.

Usage Examples:

• В горах мы нашли глубокое ущелье, полное скрытых водопадов.

  In the mountains, we found a deep gulch full of hidden waterfalls.

• Туристы осторожно спускались в ущелье, чтобы избежать обвала.

  The tourists carefully descended into the gulch to avoid a landslide.

• Это ущелье считается одним из самых опасных в регионе из-за крутых склонов.

  This gulch is considered one of the most dangerous in the region due to its steep slopes.

• Геологи изучили ущелье, чтобы понять его геологическое происхождение.

  Geologists studied the gulch to understand its geological origins.

• Летом ущелье превращается в живописный маршрут для пеших прогулок.

  In the summer, the gulch turns into a picturesque route for hiking.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"ущелье" is a neuter noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows regular inflection patterns for most cases but has some irregularities in plural forms. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in gender and does not change in the nominative singular form. For compound sentences, ensure agreement with adjectives (e.g., "глубокое ущелье" for "deep gulch").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расселина (raskelina) - A narrower cleft, often used for smaller formations.
  • пропасть (propast') - A deeper abyss, implying more danger.
• Antonyms:
  • плато (plato) - A flat, elevated area, contrasting the steepness.
  • равнина (ravnina) - A plain or flatland, opposite in topography.

Related Phrases:

• Глубокое ущелье - Deep gulch; Used to describe hazardous terrain in adventure contexts.
• Ущелье реки - River gulch; Refers to valleys formed by rivers, common in geographical discussions.
• Спасение в ущелье - Rescue in the gulch; A phrase from literature or emergency scenarios, implying dramatic escapes.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ущелье" directly corresponds to the English "gulch" in meaning, but it is more commonly used in formal, scientific, or literary contexts rather than everyday speech. Be mindful of its neuter gender when forming sentences, as adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "это ущелье красивое" for "this gulch is beautiful"). If the context involves human activity, such as hiking, pair it with verbs like "спускаться" (to descend). Among multiple translations, choose "ущелье" for natural landscapes, but "расселина" for smaller, man-made features. Avoid overusing in casual conversation to maintain natural fluency.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "ущелье" with "ущерб" (damage or harm), which are unrelated words. Incorrect: "Мы нашли ущерб в горах" (meaning a gulch, but implying damage). Correct: "Мы нашли ущелье в горах." Explanation: "Ущерб" relates to loss, while "ущелье" is geographical; learners should focus on context to differentiate.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "ущелье" in the genitive as "ущелье" instead of "ущелья." Incorrect: "Рядом с ущелье" (should be "ущелья"). Correct: "Рядом с ущельем." Explanation: Proper case agreement is crucial for grammatical accuracy in Russian sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "ущелье" often appear in folklore and literature, symbolizing mystery or danger, as seen in stories by authors like Mikhail Lermontov. For instance, the Caucasus Mountains' gulches are romanticized in poetry as places of adventure and natural beauty, reflecting Russia's vast landscapes and historical explorations.

Related Concepts:

• гора (mountain)
• долина (valley)
• каньон (canyon)