Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hibernation'

English Word: hibernation

Key Russian Translations:

• гибернация (/ɡʲɪbʲɪrˈnatsɨjə/) - [Formal, Scientific]
• зимняя спячка (/ˈzʲimnəjə ˈspʲaʧkə/) - [Informal, Everyday language]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific, biological, or educational contexts; not common in daily conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary; varies slightly by translation (e.g., "гибернация" is more straightforward for learners with biology knowledge, while "зимняя спячка" involves compound phrases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гибернация: /ɡʲɪbʲɪrˈnatsɨjə/

зимняя спячка: /ˈzʲimnəjə ˈspʲaʧkə/

Note on гибернация: The stress is on the third syllable ("na"), and the initial "г" is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for the soft consonant sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The state of an animal entering a deep sleep during winter to conserve energy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гибернация - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as biology textbooks or wildlife discussions.
• зимняя спячка - Applied in everyday or informal settings, like casual conversations about animals.

Usage Examples:

• Медведи впадают в гибернацию на зиму, чтобы сохранить энергию.

  Bears enter hibernation in winter to conserve energy.

• В дикой природе еж переживает зимнюю спячку, чтобы пережить холод.

  In the wild, a hedgehog experiences winter hibernation to survive the cold.

• Гибернация помогает животным выживать в суровых климатических условиях.

  Hibernation helps animals survive in harsh climatic conditions.

• Учёные изучают зимнюю спячку у разных видов млекопитающих.

  Scientists study winter hibernation in various species of mammals.

• Во время гибернации метаболизм животных значительно замедляется.

  During hibernation, the metabolism of animals slows down significantly.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"гибернация" is a feminine noun (feminine singular in its base form) and follows the standard first declension pattern in Russian. It has regular inflections based on case and number. "зимняя спячка" is a phrase where "зимняя" is an adjective (feminine singular) and "спячка" is a feminine noun (also first declension).

For "зимняя спячка", the adjective "зимняя" agrees with "спячка" and changes accordingly (e.g., genitive: зимней спячки). Both are regular and do not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зимний сон (zimniy son) - More poetic or literary term, often used in non-scientific contexts.
  • спячечный период (spyachechnyy period) - Emphasizes the duration, suitable for detailed descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • активность (aktivnost') - General opposite, meaning activity or wakefulness.
  • миграция (migratsiya) - Contrasts as a movement-based survival strategy rather than dormancy.

Related Phrases:

• Период гибернации (Period of hibernation) - Refers to the specific time frame of the state; used in scientific reports.
• Выход из зимней спячки (Emerging from winter hibernation) - Describes the end of the hibernation period; common in wildlife documentaries.
• Гибернация животных (Hibernation of animals) - A general phrase for discussing the phenomenon across species.

Usage Notes:

"Гибернация" is a direct loanword from English/Latin, making it a precise match for "hibernation" in formal contexts, while "зимняя спячка" is more idiomatic and culturally resonant in Russian. Use "гибернация" in academic or professional writing to maintain neutrality, but opt for "зимняя спячка" in casual conversations. Be mindful of noun gender and case agreements in sentences. For English learners, note that Russian often pairs this with verbs like "впадать в" (to enter into) for a more natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гибернация" as if it's invariant, e.g., saying "в гибернация" instead of "в гибернацию" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline based on context. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so learners should check the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "спячка" alone, which might imply general sleep rather than seasonal hibernation. Correct: Use "зимняя спячка" for specificity. Explanation: This can lead to ambiguity; pair adjectives like "зимняя" to clarify the seasonal aspect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, hibernation is often linked to traditional folklore and literature, such as stories about bears in Russian fairy tales (e.g., in works by authors like Leo Tolstoy), symbolizing resilience and the harshness of the Russian winter. This reflects the broader cultural emphasis on nature's cycles in a country with extreme seasonal changes.

Related Concepts:

• миграция (migration)
• эстаivation (estivatsiya - summer dormancy)
• адаптация (adaptation)