Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hedgerow'

English Word: hedgerow

Key Russian Translations:

• живая изгородь [ʐɨ'va ɪzɡɐ'roɕʲ] - [Formal; Used in contexts like gardening or rural descriptions]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in literature, environmental discussions, or specialized texts about agriculture and landscaping.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; Involves understanding compound nouns and adjective agreements, which are standard in Russian but require practice for English speakers.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

живая изгородь: [ʐɨ'va ɪzɡɐ'roɕʲ]

Note on живая изгородь: The "ж" sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the "s" in "measure" in English. Stress falls on the second syllable of "изгородь," which can be tricky for beginners. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A row of bushes or small trees planted as a barrier, boundary, or for decorative purposes in gardens or rural areas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• живая изгородь - Typically used in formal or descriptive contexts related to nature, agriculture, or urban planning, emphasizing a living, natural barrier rather than a man-made fence.

Usage Examples:

• В саду растёт высокая живая изгородь, которая защищает от ветра.

  In the garden, a tall hedgerow is growing, which protects against the wind.

• Деревня окружена живыми изгородями, создающими уютный ландшафт.

  The village is surrounded by hedgerows, creating a cozy landscape.

• Экологи рекомендуют сажать живые изгороди для сохранения биоразнообразия.

  Ecologists recommend planting hedgerows to preserve biodiversity.

• В парке можно увидеть старую живую изгородь, которая была посажена столетие назад.

  In the park, you can see an old hedgerow that was planted a century ago.

• Живая изгородь вдоль дороги придает окрестностям естественный вид.

  The hedgerow along the road gives the surroundings a natural appearance.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Живая изгородь" is a noun phrase consisting of an adjective ("живая") and a noun ("изгородь"). Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case, while nouns inflect based on grammatical case. "Изгородь" is a feminine noun in the third declension, and it has regular inflections. "Живая" changes accordingly.

Note: The adjective "живая" changes to match the noun's gender (feminine), number, and case. This phrase does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изгородь (more general, meaning any fence or barrier; less emphasis on being "living")
  • забор (fence, but typically man-made and not natural; used in urban contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • открытое пространство (open space; implies no barriers at all)

Related Phrases:

• Посадить живую изгородь - To plant a hedgerow (Used in gardening or environmental contexts; implies an action for creating natural boundaries.)
• Обрезать живую изгородь - To trim a hedgerow (Common in maintenance scenarios, emphasizing upkeep of landscapes.)
• Живая изгородь из туи - A hedgerow made of thuja (Specific to types of plants used, often in formal gardens.)

Usage Notes:

"Живая изгородь" directly corresponds to "hedgerow" in English, highlighting a natural, living barrier rather than artificial ones like fences. It is typically used in formal or descriptive language, such as in literature, environmental reports, or gardening discussions. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree with the noun in case, number, and gender, so always adjust "живая" accordingly. When choosing between translations like "изгородь" or "забор," opt for "живая изгородь" if the context involves plants or natural elements to maintain precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "изгородь" without the adjective "живая" when describing a natural hedgerow. Incorrect: "В саду изгородь растёт." Correct: "В саду живая изгородь растёт." Explanation: Omitting "живая" makes it sound like a generic fence, losing the nuance of it being a living plant structure.

• Error: Incorrectly inflecting the adjective, e.g., saying "живую изгороди" in nominative case. Correct: "живая изгородь." Explanation: Adjectives must match the noun's case; this mistake often stems from not practicing declension patterns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "живая изгородь" is often associated with rural landscapes and traditional dacha (country house) gardening, reflecting a historical emphasis on self-sustaining environments. It symbolizes harmony with nature, as seen in Russian literature like Chekhov's works, where such features evoke a sense of pastoral simplicity and connection to the land.

Related Concepts:

• сад (garden)
• поле (field)
• биоразнообразие (biodiversity)