Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'headwind'

English Word: headwind

Key Russian Translations:

• встречный ветер [ˈfstrʲɪtʃnɨj ˈvʲetʲɪr] - [Literal, Common; Used in contexts like aviation, sailing, and sports]

Frequency: Medium (This term is encountered in specific contexts such as weather reports, sports, and metaphorical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 according to CEFR; Involves understanding compound words and basic noun-adjective agreement in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

встречный ветер: [ˈfstrʲɪtʃnɨj ˈvʲetʲɪr]

Note on встречный ветер: The stress falls on the first syllable of each word. The "щ" in встречный is pronounced as a soft [ʃʲ], which can be tricky for English speakers used to English "sh" sounds. Pay attention to the palatalization in Russian consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal meaning: A wind blowing against the direction of travel, creating resistance.

Translation(s) & Context:

• встречный ветер - Used in physical contexts like navigation, cycling, or flying, where it describes wind opposing motion. This is the most direct and common translation for 'headwind' in Russian.

Usage Examples:

• Велосипедист боролся с встречным ветром на подъеме.

  The cyclist struggled against the headwind on the uphill.

• Пилот учел встречный ветер при расчете топлива для полета.

  The pilot accounted for the headwind when calculating fuel for the flight.

• Во время регаты сильный встречный ветер замедлил все яхты.

  During the regatta, the strong headwind slowed down all the yachts.

• Бегуны жаловались на встречный ветер, который мешал их скорости.

  The runners complained about the headwind that hindered their speed.

• Встречный ветер сделал прогулку по пляжу более утомительной, чем ожидалось.

  The headwind made the beach walk more tiring than expected.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Встречный ветер" is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective "встречный" (meaning "opposing" or "head-on") and the masculine noun "ветер" (meaning "wind"). Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case, while nouns like "ветер" follow standard declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

The adjective "встречный" changes based on case, while "ветер" has regular declensions. Below is a table for the inflections of "ветер" and how "встречный" agrees with it:

Note: "Ветер" is a regular second-declension masculine noun and does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: противный ветер (more poetic or less common, implying an unpleasant wind); бриз навстречу (specific to light winds)
• Antonyms: попутный ветер (tailwind; used when wind aids movement, creating a direct opposite in context)

Related Phrases:

• Бороться с встречным ветром - To struggle against the headwind; Often used metaphorically for overcoming obstacles.
• Встречный ветер замедляет прогресс - The headwind slows progress; A common expression in business or personal development contexts.
• Учесть встречный ветер в планах - To account for the headwind in plans; Implies preparing for resistance in strategies.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "встречный ветер" directly corresponds to the literal English "headwind" and is used in similar contexts, such as sports and weather. However, it can also extend metaphorically to mean obstacles or challenges, much like in English, but Russian speakers might prefer more idiomatic phrases like "препятствия на пути" for abstract uses. Be mindful of case agreement when using this phrase in sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to match the noun's case. When choosing translations, opt for "встречный ветер" in physical scenarios and avoid it for purely metaphorical ones unless emphasizing a direct parallel.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "встречный" without proper agreement, e.g., saying "встречный ветром" instead of "встречным ветром" in instrumental case. Correct: встречным ветром. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in case, so this mistake can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.

• Error: Confusing it with "попутный ветер" (tailwind), leading to misuse in contexts. Correct: Ensure the context specifies opposition. Explanation: English learners often mix up wind directions; double-check the direction of the wind described.

• Error: Over-literal translation in metaphorical contexts, e.g., using "встречный ветер" for business obstacles when "препятствия" is more natural. Correct: Use idiomatic Russian equivalents. Explanation: While direct, this can sound awkward; Russian prefers culturally resonant phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, winds like "встречный ветер" are often referenced in literature and folklore to symbolize life's challenges, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where natural elements reflect human struggles. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of anthropomorphizing nature, helping users appreciate how environmental terms carry emotional or philosophical weight in Russian discourse.

Related Concepts:

• ветер
• шторм
• попутный ветер
• ураган