Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humpback'

English Word: humpback

Key Russian Translations:

• горбатый кит [ɡɐrˈbatɨj kʲit] - [Formal, used in scientific or educational contexts]
• горбун [ɡɐrˈbun] - [Informal, plural: горбуны, used metaphorically for a person with a hump]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in wildlife discussions, literature, and everyday conversation about animals, but not in daily casual talk).

Difficulty: B1 for 'горбатый кит' (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun phrases and vocabulary related to nature); B2 for 'горбун' (Upper-Intermediate, due to potential metaphorical usage and inflection variations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

горбатый кит: [ɡɐrˈbatɨj kʲit] (The stress is on the second syllable of 'горбатый'; note the palatalized 'т' sound in 'кит', which can be tricky for English speakers.)

Note on горбатый кит: The adjective 'горбатый' has a soft 'т' sound; practice the rolled 'р' for authenticity.

горбун: [ɡɐrˈbun] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'u' sound.)

Note on горбун: This word may vary slightly in informal speech, with potential softening of consonants in rapid conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to a humpback whale (a type of marine mammal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• горбатый кит - Used in formal, educational, or environmental contexts when discussing marine biology or wildlife conservation.

Usage Examples:

• В океане мы наблюдали за горбатым китом, который выпрыгивал из воды.

  In the ocean, we observed the humpback whale jumping out of the water.

• Горбатый кит мигрирует на тысячи километров каждый год в поисках пищи.

  The humpback whale migrates thousands of kilometers every year in search of food.

• Учёные изучают песни горбатого кита, чтобы понять их коммуникацию.

  Scientists study the songs of the humpback whale to understand their communication.

• Горбатый кит часто появляется в документальных фильмах о морской жизни.

  The humpback whale often appears in documentaries about marine life.

• Во время тура мы смогли сфотографировать горбатого кита в дикой природе.

  During the tour, we were able to photograph the humpback whale in the wild.

Meaning 2: Referring to a person with a hump or a hunched back (metaphorical or literal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• горбун - Used in informal or literary contexts, often with sensitivity to avoid offense; can be metaphorical in stories or descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• В старой сказке главный герой был горбуном, но обладал большим сердцем.

  In the old fairy tale, the main character was a humpback, but had a big heart.

• Из-за болезни он стал горбуном, но продолжал жить активной жизнью.

  Due to the illness, he became a humpback, but continued to live an active life.

• Горбун в толпе выделялся своей позой, но никто не осуждал его.

  The humpback in the crowd stood out due to his posture, but no one judged him.

• В исторических романах горбун часто изображён как мудрый персонаж.

  In historical novels, the humpback is often depicted as a wise character.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'горбатый кит' (a noun phrase): 'Горбатый' is an adjective that inflects based on gender, number, and case. 'Кит' is a masculine noun that follows the standard second declension pattern.

For 'горбун' (a masculine noun, third declension): It inflects irregularly in some cases. Plural: горбуны. Example: Nominative: горбун; Genitive: горбуна.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Горбатый (for the whale, similar but more general)
  • Кашалот (a related whale type, but not exact; used in specific contexts)
  • Горб (for the hump itself, in metaphorical senses)
• Antonyms:
  • Прямой (straight, as in posture)
  • Гладкий (smooth, contrasting the hump)

Related Phrases:

• Горбатый кит поёт – A phrase for the whale's songs; meaning: Refers to the complex vocalizations used for communication.
• Горбун из сказки – Meaning: The hunchbacked character from a fairy tale, often symbolizing resilience.
• Миграция горбатого кита – Meaning: Migration of the humpback whale, commonly used in environmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'humpback' to Russian, choose 'горбатый кит' for animal-related contexts to maintain formality and accuracy, as it directly corresponds to the species. For human references, 'горбун' is informal and should be used cautiously to avoid insensitivity. Note the grammatical agreement: adjectives like 'горбатый' must match the noun's gender, number, and case. In scientific writing, prefer full phrases over single words for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'горб' alone for 'humpback whale', which only means 'hump' and omits the animal context. Correct: 'Горбатый кит'. Explanation: This can confuse listeners, as 'горб' refers to the physical feature, not the animal.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying 'горбатый кита' instead of 'горбатого кита' in genitive case. Correct: 'горбатого кита'. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the noun's role in the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'горбун' often appears in folklore and literature, such as in fairy tales by writers like Pushkin, symbolizing outsiders or those with inner strength despite physical differences. This reflects broader themes in Russian storytelling about resilience and human imperfection.

Related Concepts:

• Дельфин (dolphin)
• Кит (whale, general term)
• Горб (hump)