Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hippo'

English Word: hippo

Key Russian Translations:

• бегемот [bʲɪˈɡʲemət] - [Formal, Standard; used in general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions about animals, wildlife, or educational contexts.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; straightforward noun with basic declensions, suitable for early learners under CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бегемот: [bʲɪˈɡʲemət]

Note on бегемот: The stress is on the second syllable (ɡʲe-). Pay attention to the palatalized 'б' and 'г' sounds, which are common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might soften the consonants slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large African mammal, the hippopotamus.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бегемот - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to the animal in wildlife, zoos, or metaphorical descriptions; common in educational or narrative settings.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке живет большой бегемот, который плавает в пруду.

  In the zoo, there lives a large hippopotamus that swims in the pond.

• Бегемот – одно из самых тяжелых наземных животных в Африке.

  The hippopotamus is one of the heaviest land animals in Africa.

• Дети были в восторге, когда увидели бегемота в дикой природе.

  The children were thrilled when they saw the hippopotamus in the wild.

• В этой реке часто встречаются бегемоты, так что будьте осторожны.

  Hippopotamuses are often found in this river, so be careful.

• Бегемот символизирует силу и выносливость в некоторых африканских легендах.

  The hippopotamus symbolizes strength and endurance in some African legends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бегемот" is a masculine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural form is used for multiple hippopotamuses. This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гиппопотам (gippopotam) - A direct loanword, often used in scientific or formal contexts with slight differences in connotation (more technical).
  • водяной слон (vodjanoj slon) - Informal or poetic term, emphasizing its water habitat, but less common.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as "бегемот" is a specific animal term. However, in a broader animal context, opposites might include smaller animals like "заяц" (zajac - hare) for size contrast.

Related Phrases:

• Бегемот в реке (Begemot v reke) - Meaning: Hippopotamus in the river; a common phrase in wildlife descriptions or stories.
• Африканский бегемот (Afrikanskij begemot) - Meaning: African hippopotamus; used to specify the species in educational contexts.
• Бегемот и крокодил (Begemot i krokodil) - Meaning: Hippopotamus and crocodile; often refers to shared habitats in African ecosystems.

Usage Notes:

"Бегемот" directly corresponds to the English "hippo" as a shorthand for hippopotamus. It is a neutral, everyday term in Russian, suitable for both formal (e.g., scientific writing) and informal (e.g., casual conversation) settings. When choosing between translations like "бегемот" and "гиппопотам," opt for "бегемот" in general use, as it is more native and less influenced by English. Be mindful of Russian case requirements; for example, use the genitive form "бегемота" after prepositions like "of" in English equivalents. This word is often used in plural forms when discussing groups in wildlife contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел бегемот" instead of "Я видел бегемота" (accusative case for direct objects).

  Correct: "Я видел бегемота." Explanation: In Russian, direct objects require the accusative case, so the ending changes from "бегемот" to "бегемота." English speakers often overlook this due to English's lack of cases.

• Error: Confusing with similar words, e.g., using "бегун" (which means "runner") instead of "бегемот."

  Correct: "бегемот." Explanation: "Бегун" relates to running, so always double-check spelling and context to avoid semantic mix-ups.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "бегемот" is often featured in children's literature and folktales, such as in stories by Korney Chukovsky, where it symbolizes strength and playfulness. It may also evoke images of African wildlife in popular media, reflecting Russia's interest in exotic animals through zoos and documentaries, without deep historical connotations in Russian folklore.

Related Concepts:

• крокодил (krokodil)
• слон (slon)
• жираф (zhiraf)