Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hyena'

English Word: hyena

Key Russian Translations:

• гиена /ɡʲiˈɛnə/ - [Neutral; commonly used in general, educational, or wildlife contexts]

Frequency: Low (The word is not frequently used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in contexts related to animals, nature documentaries, or biology.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and pronunciation of palatalized consonants, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гиена: /ɡʲiˈɛnə/

Note on гиена: The initial 'г' is palatalized (pronounced like a soft 'g' before 'и'), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large carnivorous mammal of the family Hyaenidae, known for its scavenging habits and distinctive laugh-like vocalizations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гиена - Used in neutral, factual contexts such as wildlife discussions, educational materials, or storytelling about African fauna.

Usage Examples:

• В африканской саванне гиена часто охотится по ночам.

  In the African savanna, the hyena often hunts at night.

• Гиена известна своим характерным смехом, который пугает других животных.

  The hyena is known for its characteristic laugh, which scares other animals.

• В зоопарке мы наблюдали, как гиена роет нору в земле.

  At the zoo, we observed how the hyena digs a burrow in the ground.

• Местные жители избегают гиены из-за её репутации как падальщика.

  Local residents avoid the hyena due to its reputation as a scavenger.

• Гиена в дикой природе играет важную роль в экосистеме, очищая от падали.

  The hyena in the wild plays an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up carcasses.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гиена" is a feminine noun in the second declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table of its basic forms:

Note: The word is regular in its inflections, with no irregularities. In plural forms, it may vary slightly in poetic or archaic usage, but standard modern Russian follows the above pattern.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: гиеновый (hyena-like, as an adjective); пёстрый хищник (spotted predator, informal descriptive term)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific animal term. However, in a broader context, it might contrast with "львы" (lions) in terms of behavior.

Related Phrases:

• африканская гиена - Refers to the African hyena species; used in geographical or biological contexts.
• гиена смеётся - Describes the hyena's laugh; commonly used in animal behavior discussions.
• охота гиены - Means "hyena hunting"; refers to the animal's predatory activities in wildlife narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Гиена" directly corresponds to the English "hyena" as a straightforward noun for the animal. It is a neutral term with no strong cultural connotations in everyday Russian, making it suitable for formal and informal use alike. When discussing wildlife, pair it with adjectives for specificity (e.g., "африканская гиена"). Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to avoid errors. If multiple translations exist (though rare here), choose based on context: "гиена" is the most precise for general use.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as /ɡiˈɛna/ without palatalization. Correct: /ɡʲiˈɛnə/. Explanation: English speakers often overlook the soft 'г' sound; practice with native audio to master it.
• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел гиена" instead of "Я видел гиену" (accusative). Correct: Always decline based on sentence structure. Explanation: This is a common mistake for beginners due to Russian's complex case system.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and folklore, the hyena is not as prominent as in African traditions, where it symbolizes cunning or trickery. However, in Russian literature or media influenced by global wildlife stories, it may represent survival instincts in harsh environments, drawing from documentaries about African savannas.

Related Concepts:

• лев (lion)
• волк (wolf)
• хищник (predator)