Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'howler'

English Word: howler

Key Russian Translations:

• ревун (/rʲɪˈvun/) - [Informal, used for animals or metaphorical contexts]
• ревуны (/rʲɪˈvu.nɨ/) - [Plural, Informal, specifically for groups or species]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in wildlife discussions or informal language about mistakes, but not everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, with some contextual nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

ревун: /rʲɪˈvun/ (The 'р' is rolled, and the stress is on the second syllable; common in standard Russian dialects.)

ревуны: /rʲɪˈvu.nɨ/ (Similar to 'ревун', but with plural ending; note the soft 'н' sound.)

Note on ревун: Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, such as in Siberian Russian, where the 'р' might be less rolled.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A type of monkey known for its loud call (e.g., howler monkey).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ревун - Used in zoological or informal contexts when referring to the animal's distinctive howl.
• ревуны - Plural form, applied in discussions about species or groups, such as in wildlife documentaries.

Usage Examples:

• В джунглях Амазонки можно услышать, как ревун издаёт свой громкий крик по утрам.

  In the Amazon jungles, you can hear the howler monkey emitting its loud cry in the mornings.

• Ревуны — это одни из самых шумных приматов в тропических лесах.

  Howler monkeys are among the noisiest primates in tropical forests.

• Во время сафари мы наблюдали, как стая ревунов перескакивает с дерева на дерево.

  During the safari, we watched a group of howler monkeys jumping from tree to tree.

• Ревун в зоопарке всегда привлекает посетителей своим уникальным голосом.

  The howler monkey in the zoo always attracts visitors with its unique voice.

Meaning 2: An obvious and embarrassing mistake (slang usage in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ревун - Informal, metaphorical use for a blunder that "howls" with error, often in humorous contexts.
• ревуны - Plural, for multiple mistakes, though less common; used in storytelling or critiques.

Usage Examples:

• Его ответ на экзамене был настоящим ревуном — он перепутал даты исторических событий.

  His answer on the exam was a real howler—he mixed up the dates of historical events.

• В статье журналиста был ревун: он написал неправильное имя знаменитости.

  In the journalist's article, there was a howler: he wrote the wrong name of the celebrity.

• Команда допустила несколько ревунов в отчёте, что вызвало смех на встрече.

  The team made several howlers in the report, which caused laughter at the meeting.

• Этот ревун в контракте мог стоить компании миллионы.

  This howler in the contract could have cost the company millions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ревун' and 'ревуны' are masculine nouns in Russian. 'Ревун' follows standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for 'ревун' in singular and plural forms:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рев (for the sound, more general; less specific to the animal)
  • громкоголосый (adjective form, emphasizing loudness)
• Antonyms:
  • тихоход (metaphorical, meaning something quiet or slow)

Brief note: 'Рев' is a more neutral synonym for the sound aspect, often used in broader contexts like machinery or animals.

Related Phrases:

• Рев тропического леса — A phrase for the roar of the jungle, often including howler monkeys; refers to the collective sounds of wildlife.
• Сделать ревуна — Idiomatic for making a big mistake; used in informal speech to describe a blunder.
• Голос ревуна в ночи — A poetic phrase meaning the call of the howler monkey at night; implies mystery or wilderness.

Usage Notes:

• The English word 'howler' corresponds most directly to 'ревун' in Russian when referring to the animal, but in slang for mistakes, it's a loose translation—use 'прокол' or 'осечка' if a more precise error term is needed.
• Be mindful of context: 'Ревун' is informal and may not suit formal writing; opt for scientific terms like 'ревуновые обезьяны' in academic settings.
• Grammatically, always check the case when using in sentences, as Russian nouns inflect extensively.
• When choosing between translations, 'ревун' is preferable for singular instances, while 'ревуны' fits plural or group references.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ревун' in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел ревун" instead of "Я видел ревуна" (accusative case). Correct: "Я видел ревуна" – Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with verbs and prepositions; always adjust for context to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Error: Confusing it with similar words like 'лев' (lion), leading to misuse in animal descriptions. Correct: Use 'ревун' specifically for howler monkeys; Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning entirely, so learners should practice noun distinctions.
• Error: Overusing in formal contexts, e.g., in a scientific paper. Correct: Replace with 'Alouatta' (genus name) or 'ревуновая обезьяна'; Explanation: 'Ревун' is too casual for professional use and might undermine credibility.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'ревун' as a reference to the howler monkey often evokes images of exotic wildlife, symbolizing the untamed aspects of nature in literature and folklore. Historically, it appears in Soviet-era wildlife documentaries, reflecting Russia's interest in global biodiversity, and can metaphorically represent loud, unavoidable errors in everyday humor, akin to English blunders.

Related Concepts:

• обезьяна (monkey)
• джунгли (jungle)
• осечка (blunder or mistake)