Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lake'

English Word: lake

Key Russian Translations:

• озеро /ɐˈzʲe.rə/ - [Formal, Singular, Refers to a natural body of water]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday Russian, especially in geographical, travel, or descriptive contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers due to basic vocabulary and simple pronunciation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

озеро: /ɐˈzʲe.rə/

Note on озеро: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈzʲe/), and the 'з' is palatalized, which may be challenging for beginners. Practice the soft 'з' sound as in "measure" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large body of water surrounded by land.

Translation(s) & Context:

• озеро - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe natural lakes, such as in geography, literature, or casual conversation about travel.

Usage Examples:

• Я живу недалеко от большого озера.

  I live not far from a large lake.

• Летом мы часто ездим на озеро, чтобы искупаться.

  In the summer, we often go to the lake to swim.

• Озеро Байкал известно как самое глубокое в мире.

  Lake Baikal is known as the deepest lake in the world.

• В горах есть скрытое озеро, которое туристы любят фотографировать.

  In the mountains, there is a hidden lake that tourists love to photograph.

• После дождя озеро наполняется свежей водой.

  After the rain, the lake fills up with fresh water.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Озеро" is a neuter noun in the third declension group, which follows regular patterns for most Russian nouns. It changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form "озёра" is used for multiple lakes. This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively easy for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • водоём (vodoem) - More general term for any body of water; often used in formal or technical contexts.
  • пруд (prud) - Similar but typically smaller, man-made; subtle difference in size and naturalness.
• Antonyms:
  • море (more) - Sea; implies a larger, saltwater body, contrasting with the inland, freshwater nature of a lake.
  • река (reka) - River; emphasizes flowing water versus a still body.

Related Phrases:

• Озеро Байкал (Ozero Baikal) - Refers to Lake Baikal; a famous natural landmark in Russia, often used in cultural or travel discussions.
• Глубокое озеро (Glubokoye ozero) - Deep lake; a common phrase to describe characteristics of lakes.
• Край озера (Kray ozera) - Lake shore; used in contexts involving recreation or geography.
• Замерзшее озеро (Zamerzshee ozero) - Frozen lake; relevant in winter scenarios, highlighting seasonal changes.

Usage Notes:

"Озеро" directly corresponds to the English "lake" as a natural, inland body of water. It is versatile and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific writing) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversation). Be mindful of context: in Russian, it's common to specify attributes like size or location (e.g., "большое озеро" for "big lake"). When choosing among translations, "озеро" is the default for natural lakes, while "пруд" might be better for artificial ones. Grammatically, always adjust for case based on sentence structure to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "озеро" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я иду к озеро" instead of "Я иду к озеру" (Dative case required after prepositions like "к").
  Correct: "Я иду к озеру" - Explanation: Prepositions dictate case in Russian, so learners must check the governing preposition.
• Mistake: Confusing "озеро" with "море" when describing a lake, e.g., "Это озеро, но я сказал 'море'."
  Correct: Use "озеро" for inland waters; "море" implies oceanic features. - Explanation: This mix-up often stems from overgeneralizing water-related terms.
• Mistake: Forgetting plural forms, e.g., "Много озеро" instead of "Много озёр".
  Correct: "Много озёр" - Explanation: Russian nouns change in plural, and genitive plural like "озёр" is common in quantity phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lakes like Lake Baikal hold deep symbolic and historical significance, often representing national pride and natural beauty. They feature prominently in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov) and folklore, symbolizing tranquility and mystery. Using "озеро" in conversation might evoke these cultural associations, especially in regions with abundant lakes.

Related Concepts:

• река (reka) - River
• море (more) - Sea
• водопад (vodopad) - Waterfall
• река и озеро (reka i ozero) - River and lake (as a combined theme)