Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'land'

English Word: land

Key Russian Translations:

• земля /ˈzʲemlʲə/ - [Noun, Formal, Singular; Used in general contexts for earth or ground]
• приземляться /prʲɪzʲɪmˈlʲat͡sə/ - [Verb, Informal; Used for the action of landing, e.g., an aircraft or arriving on ground]
• страна /ˈstranə/ - [Noun, Formal; Used metaphorically for a country or homeland]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday language, especially 'земля' in descriptions of geography or daily life)

Difficulty: A1 for 'земля' (Beginner level, basic vocabulary); B1 for 'приземляться' (Intermediate, involves verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

земля: /ˈzʲemlʲə/

приземляться: /prʲɪzʲɪmˈlʲat͡sə/

страна: /ˈstranə/

Note on земля: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'з' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on приземляться: This is a reflexive verb; the ending '-ся' indicates the action is directed back to the subject, and pronunciation varies slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The solid ground of the earth (as a noun, referring to soil, earth, or territory).

Translation(s) & Context:

• земля - Used in everyday contexts for physical ground, such as in agriculture or geography; formal in written descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Я хожу по земле barefoot.

  I walk barefoot on the land.

• Земля в этом регионе плодородная.

  The land in this region is fertile.

• Мы любим нашу родную землю.

  We love our native land.

• Земля покрыта снегом зимой.

  The land is covered with snow in winter.

2. To arrive on ground or set down (as a verb, e.g., for aircraft or people).

Translation(s) & Context:

• приземляться - Used in contexts involving travel, aviation, or physical arrival; informal in spoken language.

Usage Examples:

• Самолет приземляется в аэропорту.

  The plane is landing at the airport.

• Космонавты приземлятся на Луну.

  The astronauts will land on the Moon.

• Он приземлился после прыжка с парашютом.

  He landed after jumping with a parachute.

• Птицы приземляются на ветки дерева.

  The birds land on the tree branches.

3. A country or nation (metaphorical sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• страна - Used in formal or patriotic contexts, such as discussions of nationality or homeland.

Usage Examples:

• Моя страна красивая и разнообразная.

  My land (country) is beautiful and diverse.

• Люди гордятся своей страной.

  People are proud of their land (country).

• Эта страна имеет богатую историю.

  This land (country) has a rich history.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'земля' (feminine noun, first declension):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	земля	земли
Genitive	земли	земель
Dative	земле	землям
Accusative	землю	земли
Instrumental	землёй	землями
Prepositional	земле	землях

For 'приземляться' (imperfective verb, reflexive):

It conjugates irregularly as a reflexive verb. Example in present tense: я приземляюсь, ты приземляешься, он/она приземляется. Note: Add '-ся' to the base form for reflexivity.

For 'страна' (feminine noun, first declension): Similar to 'земля', with standard feminine endings (e.g., Nominative: страна; Genitive: страны).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: For 'земля': суша (dry land), почва (soil) – 'суша' is more specific to land vs. water.
• Antonyms: For 'земля': вода (water) – Often used in opposition in geographical contexts.
• Synonyms: For 'страна': родина (homeland) – 'родина' carries a more emotional connotation.

Related Phrases:

• Моя родная земля – Refers to one's homeland or native land; used in patriotic or nostalgic contexts.
• Приземлиться на землю – Means "to land on the ground"; common in aviation or adventure scenarios.
• Земля предков – Translates to "land of ancestors"; implies historical or cultural heritage.

Usage Notes:

'Земля' directly corresponds to the English 'land' in physical or geographical senses but can also imply deeper cultural ties, unlike the more neutral English term. Choose 'приземляться' for dynamic actions like aircraft landing, as it's specific to Russian's reflexive verb structure. In formal writing, use 'страна' for metaphorical meanings to avoid ambiguity. Be mindful of context: 'земля' is versatile but can shift to mean 'Earth' in cosmic contexts. Grammar note: Russian nouns like these require case agreement, so always check the sentence structure for proper declension.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'земля' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я иду на земля" instead of "Я иду на земле". Correct: The prepositional case is required after prepositions like 'на'. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case endings, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing 'приземляться' with non-reflexive verbs, e.g., using 'приземлить' (which means to land something else). Correct: Always include '-ся' for self-directed actions. Explanation: This is a common mix-up for beginners due to similar roots in English verbs like 'land'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'земля' often symbolizes national identity and heritage, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where it represents the soul of the people. Historically, land ownership was tied to serfdom in tsarist Russia, adding layers of social connotation that make it more than just physical ground.

Related Concepts:

• родина
• территория
• почва