Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'horse racing'

English Word: horse racing

Key Russian Translations:

• конные скачки (/ˈkonːɨje ˈskatʃkʲi/) - [Formal, Sports-related]

Frequency: Medium (Common in sports discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; learners at this level should grasp it with some practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

конные скачки: /ˈkonːɨje ˈskatʃkʲi/

Note on конные скачки: The stress falls on the first syllable of each word. The 'щ' in 'скачки' is a soft, palatalized sound, which can be challenging for English speakers—similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but with a slight 'ch' glide. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A sport involving the racing of horses, often for betting or competition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• конные скачки - Used in formal or sports contexts, such as describing events at a racetrack or in media coverage.

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда смотрю конные скачки по телевизору во время больших соревнований.

  I always watch horse racing on TV during major competitions.

• В этом городе есть ипподром, где проводятся регулярные конные скачки.

  In this city, there's a racetrack where regular horse racing events are held.

• Мой дедушка делал ставки на конные скачки и иногда выигрывал приличные суммы.

  My grandfather used to bet on horse racing and sometimes won decent amounts.

• Конные скачки требуют не только скорости лошадей, но и мастерства жокеев.

  Horse racing requires not only the speed of the horses but also the skill of the jockeys.

• Во время фестиваля мы посетили конные скачки и были поражены атмосферой.

  During the festival, we attended horse racing and were amazed by the atmosphere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation "конные скачки" consists of an adjective ("конные") and a plural noun ("скачки"). "Конные" is an adjective that agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. "Скачки" is a plural-only noun (from "скачка," meaning "race") and follows standard Russian noun declension for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Here is a table of inflections for "скачки" (as it's the core noun):

"Конные" as an adjective changes as follows: Nominative plural feminine - конные; Genitive plural - конных, etc. It remains invariant in some fixed phrases. This word does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • иппогонки (used in informal or regional contexts, implying faster, more exciting races)
  • скачечные гонки (more descriptive, emphasizing the racing aspect)
• Antonyms:
  • пешие гонки (foot races, as an opposite to horse-based events)
  • автогонки (car races, contrasting with animal-powered sports)

Related Phrases:

• Ставки на конные скачки - Betting on horse racing; commonly used in gambling contexts.
• Ипподром для конных скачек - Racetrack for horse racing; refers to venues dedicated to the sport.
• Профессиональные конные скачки - Professional horse racing; implies organized, high-level events.

Usage Notes:

"Конные скачки" directly corresponds to "horse racing" in English and is the standard term in Russian for this sport. It is typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts, such as news reports, sports commentary, or betting discussions. Be aware of the plural form, as "скачки" is inherently plural and doesn't have a common singular equivalent in this context. When choosing between synonyms like "иппогонки," opt for it in more casual or regional conversations. Grammatically, ensure adjectives like "конные" agree with the noun in case and number for correct sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form "скачка" incorrectly, e.g., saying "Я смотрю скачка" instead of "Я смотрю конные скачки."

  Correct: "Я смотрю конные скачки." Explanation: "Скачка" can mean a single race but is not idiomatic for the general sport; always use the plural for "horse racing" to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as /kon-ni-ye ska-chki/ without the proper soft consonants, which might make it sound like a different word.

  Correct Pronunciation: /ˈkonːɨje ˈskatʃkʲi/. Explanation: English speakers often overlook the palatalization in Russian, leading to confusion; practice with native audio to master it.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, horse racing has historical roots tied to the imperial era, with events like those at the Moscow Hippodrome dating back to the 19th century. It's often associated with elegance, betting, and social gatherings, similar to events in Western cultures, but carries a sense of nostalgia for Russia's aristocratic past. However, it's less prominent today compared to sports like football, and phrases involving it may evoke themes of tradition and excitement.

Related Concepts:

• ипподром
• жокей
• спортивные гонки