Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gunfire'

English Word: gunfire

Key Russian Translations:

• стрельба [ˈstrʲelʲbə] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts like news or descriptions of events]
• выстрелы [vɨˈstrʲelɨ] - [Plural, Formal, often used for multiple shots in military or hunting scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in contexts such as news reports, military discussions, or action descriptions, but not in casual everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level per CEFR; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contextual usage. For 'выстрелы', it remains B1, but involves plural forms which may add slight complexity for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

стрельба: [ˈstrʲelʲbə]

выстрелы: [vɨˈstrʲelɨ]

Note on стрельба: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on выстрелы: This plural form has a soft 'л' sound; practice the vowel shifts for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of firing guns or the sound of shots

Translation(s) & Context:

• стрельба - Used in informal contexts to describe gunfire in urban settings, such as in movies, news, or real-life incidents; implies ongoing or repeated shots.
• выстрелы - Applied in more formal or plural scenarios, like military operations or hunting, emphasizing multiple instances of firing.

Usage Examples:

• Внезапная стрельба эхом разнеслась по улицам, заставив людей спрятаться.

  Sudden gunfire echoed through the streets, forcing people to hide. (This example shows 'стрельба' in a real-world emergency context, highlighting its use with adjectives for intensity.)

• Во время учений солдаты практиковали стрельбу из автоматов.

  During the exercises, soldiers practiced gunfire from automatic weapons. (Here, 'стрельба' is used in a military training scenario, demonstrating its application in procedural descriptions.)

• Выстрелы в лесу напугали диких животных.

  The gunfire in the forest scared the wild animals. (This illustrates 'выстрелы' in a plural, outdoor context, such as hunting, and its impact on surroundings.)

• Под звуки стрельбы протестующие разбежались в разные стороны.

  Under the sound of gunfire, the protesters scattered in all directions. (This example varies the structure, showing 'стрельба' in a social or protest-related context.)

• Серия выстрелов сигнализировала о начале атаки.

  A series of gunfire signaled the start of the attack. (This uses 'выстрелы' to emphasize sequence and formality in a strategic setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'стрельба' (feminine noun) and 'выстрелы' (plural of 'выстрел', masculine noun) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. 'Стрельба' is a third-declension noun with regular changes, while 'Выстрелы' is the plural form of 'выстрел' and inflects based on case and number.

Note: 'Стрельба' does not have a singular form in this context and remains unchanged in some uses, making it straightforward once the pattern is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: обстрел (shelling or bombardment, more intense and military-focused); залп (volley, for organized firing)
• Antonyms: тишина (silence, implying the absence of any noise); покой (peace, in a broader contextual sense)

Related Phrases:

• Под огнем - Under fire (used in military contexts to describe being targeted by gunfire, emphasizing danger and urgency).
• Открыть стрельбу - To open fire (a phrase for initiating gunfire, common in action or conflict scenarios).
• Звуки выстрелов - Sounds of gunfire (refers to the auditory aspect, often in descriptive narratives).

Usage Notes:

'Стрельба' and 'выстрелы' directly correspond to 'gunfire' but differ in nuance: 'стрельба' is more general and informal, while 'выстрелы' specifies multiple shots and is preferred in formal writing. English speakers should note that Russian requires correct case agreement; for example, use the genitive form 'стрельбы' after prepositions like 'из' (from). In conversational settings, 'стрельба' is versatile, but avoid it in poetic or highly formal texts where 'обстрел' might be more appropriate. When choosing between translations, opt for 'выстрелы' if the context involves quantity or repetition.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'стрельба' in the plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying *стрельбы* as a plural noun. Correct: 'Стрельба' is singular; use 'выстрелы' for multiples. Explanation: Russian nouns have specific plural forms, and confusing them can alter meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting case endings, e.g., saying "в стрельба" instead of "в стрельбе". Correct: "В стрельбе" (in gunfire). Explanation: Prepositions govern cases, so always check the required form to avoid grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Translating 'gunfire' directly as 'пистолетный огонь', which is overly literal and uncommon. Correct: Stick to 'стрельба' for natural usage. Explanation: Russian prefers idiomatic expressions, so literal translations can sound awkward to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like 'стрельба' often evoke memories of military events, such as World War II or the Soviet era, where gunfire symbolized conflict and resilience. It's frequently used in literature and films to depict dramatic scenes, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with warfare and defense, which can add emotional weight to its usage beyond a simple description of sound.

Related Concepts:

• оружие (weapon)
• боеприпасы (ammunition)
• атака (attack)