Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leonine'

English Word: leonine

Key Russian Translations:

• львиный /ˈlʲvʲɪnɨj/ - [Adjective, General use; describes qualities resembling a lion, such as strength or majesty]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in literary or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires understanding of Russian adjective inflections and vocabulary related to animals and metaphors.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

львиный: /ˈlʲvʲɪnɨj/

Note on львиный: The initial "л" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft "l" as in "luxury." Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Resembling a lion in physical appearance, courage, or strength (e.g., majestic or fierce qualities).

Translation(s) & Context:

• львиный - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe animal-like traits, such as in poetry or historical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Его львиный рык эхом разнесся по джунглям. (Yego l'vinyi ryk ekhom razneslsya po dzhunglyam.)

  His leonine roar echoed through the jungles. (This example shows the word in a descriptive, narrative context, emphasizing sound and power.)

• Львиная грация в её походке привлекала внимание. (L'vinnaya gratciya v yeyo poyodke privlekala vnimaniye.)

  The leonine grace in her walk drew attention. (Here, it describes physical elegance, often in metaphorical or poetic language.)

• В битве он проявил львиный дух, не отступив ни на шаг. (V bitve on proyavil l'vinyi dukh, ne otstupiv ni na shag.)

  In battle, he showed a leonine spirit, not retreating an inch. (This illustrates usage in a motivational or heroic context.)

• Львиный взгляд лидера вдохновлял команду. (L'vinyi vzlyad lidera vdokhnovlyal komandu.)

  The leonine gaze of the leader inspired the team. (Demonstrates the word in a leadership or psychological context.)

• Её львиная манера речи завораживала аудиторию. (Yeyo l'vinnaya manera rechi zavora zhivala auditoriyu.)

  Her leonine manner of speaking captivated the audience. (This example varies the structure, showing the adjective in a social or performative setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"львиный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular, so it doesn't have irregular forms, but always ensure agreement with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хищный (/ˈxʲiʂnɨj/) - More general, implying predatory nature; often used for animals or behaviors.
  • царственный (/t͡sarstvʲenɨj/) - Emphasizes regal or majestic qualities, with a connotation of royalty.
• Antonyms:
  • кроткий (/ˈkrotkʲɪj/) - Means meek or gentle, contrasting with the fierce aspect.
  • слабый (/ˈslabɨj/) - Means weak, directly opposing strength or power.

Related Phrases:

• Львиная доля - The lion's share; refers to the largest portion of something. (Used in contexts of distribution or allocation.)
• Львиный прыжок - A leonine leap; describes a powerful, agile jump, often metaphorically in sports or adventure. (Common in narrative or motivational language.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "львиный" directly corresponds to the English "leonine" by evoking lion-like qualities, but it's more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts rather than everyday speech. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, which can affect sentence structure. For formal writing, prefer "львиный" over more general synonyms to maintain precision. When choosing between translations, use it for metaphorical descriptions involving strength or majesty, but avoid it in casual conversations where simpler words like "сильный" (strong) might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Failing to inflect "львиный" correctly, e.g., using "львиный" with a feminine noun without changing it to "львиная." Correct: Instead of saying "Его львиный взгляд" for a feminine subject, say "Её львиная взгляд" (though "взгляд" is masculine, so it should be "львиный"). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement; always check the noun's gender and case.

• Error: Overusing "львиный" in non-metaphorical contexts, e.g., saying "львиный кот" (leonine cat) when describing a regular cat. Correct: Use more accurate descriptors like "хищный кот." Explanation: This can make speech sound overly dramatic; reserve it for emphatic or literary use.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lions are not native animals, so "львиный" often draws from Western or biblical symbolism, such as in fairy tales or heraldry. For instance, it may evoke images from Russian folklore where lions represent courage, as seen in stories influenced by Aesop or European traditions, helping to bridge cultural gaps for English speakers familiar with "The Lion King."

Related Concepts:

• тигриный (tigrinyi) - Tiger-like
• орлиный (orlinyi) - Eagle-like
• волчий (volchii) - Wolf-like