Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jungle'

English Word: jungle

Key Russian Translations:

• джунгли [IPA: ˈdʒʊŋɡlʲɪ] - [Neutral, Plural, Often used in descriptive or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, travel descriptions, and environmental discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - As a borrowed word from English, it's straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary, but understanding its plural-only form requires familiarity with Russian noun patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

джунгли: ˈdʒʊŋɡlʲɪ

Note on джунгли: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers used to harder consonants. Pay attention to the palatalization of the final 'и'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A dense forest in a tropical region

Translation(s) & Context:

• джунгли - Used literally for tropical rainforests in descriptions, stories, or scientific contexts; often implies wild, untamed nature.

Usage Examples:

• В джунглях Амазонки можно найти множество экзотических птиц и животных.

  In the Amazon jungles, you can find a multitude of exotic birds and animals.

• Исследователь потерялся в густых джунглях Южной Америки.

  The explorer got lost in the dense jungles of South America.

• Джунгли Борнео известны своим разнообразием флоры и фауны.

  The jungles of Borneo are famous for their diverse flora and fauna.

• Путешественники готовятся к встрече с дикими животными в африканских джунглях.

  Travelers prepare to encounter wild animals in the African jungles.

• В джунглях часто скрываются древние руины, ждущие открытия.

  In the jungles, ancient ruins often lie hidden, waiting to be discovered.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "джунгли" is a plural-only noun in Russian, borrowed from English, and does not change forms based on case or number. It remains invariant in all contexts, which is common for some foreign loanwords.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тропические леса (tropical forests; more general and less vivid than джунгли), сельва (selva; used for South American jungles, with a regional connotation)
• Antonyms: пустыня (desert; implies arid, barren landscapes as opposed to lush, dense areas)

Related Phrases:

• густой джунгли - Dense jungle; used to emphasize thickness and impenetrability in descriptive writing.
• тропические джунгли - Tropical jungles; a common phrase in geographical or travel contexts to specify the environment.
• джунгли города - Urban jungle; a metaphorical phrase referring to a bustling, chaotic city, often with a sense of wilderness in modernity.

Usage Notes:

"Джунгли" directly corresponds to the English "jungle" as a plural noun and is typically used in neutral or formal contexts, such as literature, documentaries, or environmental discussions. It does not have a singular form in Russian, so avoid trying to use it as one. When choosing between translations like "джунгли" and "тропические леса," opt for "джунгли" for more vivid, exotic connotations. Grammatically, it follows standard plural noun rules, so ensure proper case agreement in sentences (e.g., "в джунглях" for location). This word is often associated with adventure themes in Russian culture.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "джунгли" as a singular noun, e.g., saying "Этот джунгли" instead of using it correctly in plural contexts.
  Correct Usage: "Эти джунгли" or simply "Джунгли" as plural.
  Explanation: Russian does not have a singular form for this word, so learners from English backgrounds might mistakenly add articles or use it singularly, which sounds unnatural.

• Error: Mispronouncing the word with a hard 'g' sound, e.g., pronouncing it as "dʒʊŋɡli" without the soft palatalization.
  Correct Usage: Use the soft 'г' as in ˈdʒʊŋɡlʲɪ.
  Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand for native speakers, as palatalization is key in Russian phonetics.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "джунгли" often evokes images of exotic adventure, as seen in classic literature like Rudyard Kipling's works translated into Russian. It symbolizes the unknown and the wild, reflecting Russia's own vast, untamed landscapes, though jungles are not native to Russia. This word is frequently used in educational contexts to discuss biodiversity and environmental conservation.

Related Concepts:

• лес (forest)
• дикая природа (wild nature)
• тропики (tropics)