Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hilly'

English Word: hilly

Key Russian Translations:

• холмистый /xɐlʲˈmʲistɨj/ - [Adjective, used for describing landscapes with gentle hills, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in geographical or descriptive contexts but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic adjective forms and vocabulary related to geography, suitable for learners with a foundational grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

холмистый: /xɐlʲˈmʲistɨj/

Note on холмистый: The initial "х" is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the "ch" in Scottish "loch." Stress falls on the third syllable, and the word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Describing terrain that features hills or undulating landscapes

Translation(s) & Context:

• холмистый - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as geography, travel writing, or environmental discussions, to indicate gentle elevations rather than steep mountains.

Usage Examples:

• Эта местность холмистая, с мягкими возвышенностями, идеальными для пеших прогулок.

  This area is hilly, with gentle elevations perfect for hiking.

• Холмистые поля России часто вдохновляют художников на создание пейзажей.

  Russia's hilly fields often inspire artists to create landscapes.

• В холмистой местности легко потеряться, если не следовать карте.

  In hilly terrain, it's easy to get lost if you don't follow a map.

• Дорога через холмистый регион была сложной, но живописной.

  The road through the hilly region was challenging but picturesque.

• Летняя ферма расположена в холмистой зоне, где пастбища зеленые и плодородные.

  The summer farm is located in a hilly zone, where the pastures are green and fertile.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Холмистый is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow regular patterns for most cases, but they must agree with the noun they modify. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern. If the adjective is used predicatively, it may not change as much.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возвышенный (more general, implying elevated but not necessarily hilly)
  • уклоненный (emphasizing slopes, often in specific contexts like roads)
• Antonyms:
  • ровный (flat, even terrain)
  • низменный (low-lying, opposite of elevated areas)

Related Phrases:

• холмистая местность - Hilly terrain (used in geographical descriptions to refer to areas with rolling hills).
• холмистые равнины - Hilly plains (common in discussions of Russian landscapes, implying vast areas with gentle undulations).
• проходить через холмистый регион - To pass through a hilly region (a phrase for travel or adventure contexts, highlighting challenges and beauty).

Usage Notes:

Холмистый directly corresponds to the English "hilly" in describing landscapes with small hills, but it's more commonly used in formal or written Russian rather than casual speech. English learners should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can be tricky for beginners. When choosing between synonyms like возвышенный, opt for холмистый if the focus is on gentle, rolling hills rather than steep elevations. It's often paired with nouns related to nature or geography, and in conversational settings, simpler alternatives might be used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper agreement, e.g., saying "Эта холмистый" instead of "Эта холмистая" for a feminine noun. Correct: "Эта холмистая местность" – Remember to match the adjective's ending to the noun's gender and case.

• Error: Confusing it with "горный" (mountainous), which implies steeper terrain. For example, an English speaker might say "горный" for "hilly," but this overstates the elevation. Correct usage: Use "холмистый" for gentle hills and reserve "горный" for mountains.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "холмистый" often evoke images of the vast Russian countryside, as seen in literature by authors like Tolstoy or in folk songs about rural life. Many Russian regions, such as the Central Uplands, feature hilly terrain that symbolizes resilience and natural beauty, contrasting with the flat steppes elsewhere in the country.

Related Concepts:

• холм (hill)
• гора (mountain)
• равнина (plain)