Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leopard'

English Word: leopard

Key Russian Translations:

• леопард [lʲɪɐˈpart] - [Neutral, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in discussions about wildlife, zoology, or nature, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should recognize it in context, as it involves basic vocabulary for animals, but requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

леопард: [lʲɪɐˈpart]

Note on леопард: The initial 'л' is palatalized (soft), which is a common feature in Russian. Stress falls on the third syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, but this IPA represents standard Moscow dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large wild cat with spotted fur, native to Africa and Asia.

Translation(s) & Context:

• леопард - Used in general contexts for the animal, such as in wildlife documentaries, zoos, or educational settings. It's a direct equivalent and neutral in tone.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке мы увидели леопарда, который лениво прогуливался по вольеру.

  In the zoo, we saw a leopard that was lazily strolling around its enclosure. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, describing a real-life observation.)

• Леопард — это хищник, известный своей быстротой и камуфляжем в джунглях.

  The leopard is a predator known for its speed and camouflage in the jungles. (Here, it demonstrates the noun in a subject position with descriptive attributes.)

• Охотники в Африке должны быть осторожны с леопардами, так как они атакуют внезапно.

  Hunters in Africa must be careful with leopards, as they attack suddenly. (This illustrates use in a warning context, with the noun in the instrumental case indirectly.)

• В детской книжке был нарисован леопард с большими пятнами на шкуре.

  In the children's book, there was a drawing of a leopard with large spots on its skin. (This example places the word in a creative or literary context.)

• Исследователи изучают, как леопарды адаптируются к изменению климата.

  Researchers are studying how leopards adapt to climate change. (This shows the noun in a scientific discussion, pluralized if needed, but here in singular.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Леопард" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but may have slight irregularities due to its foreign origin. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural form is used for multiple leopards, and the word does not change in gender or have verbal inflections since it is a noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • барс (often used for snow leopard or in poetic contexts; implies a similar big cat but with regional connotations)
  • пятнистый кот (less formal, literal translation meaning "spotted cat")
• Antonyms: N/A (As an animal name, it doesn't have direct antonyms, but contrasting terms like "домашняя кошка" (domestic cat) could be considered in broader contexts.)

Related Phrases:

• Африканский леопард (African leopard) - Refers to the subspecies found in Africa, commonly used in wildlife discussions.
• Леопард в клетке (Leopard in a cage) - A phrase for describing captive animals, often in zoos or stories.
• Охотиться на леопарда (To hunt a leopard) - Used in contexts of wildlife conservation or adventure narratives, with implications of danger.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "леопард" directly corresponds to the English "leopard" as a specific animal species. It is neutral and can be used in formal (e.g., scientific papers) or informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations). Be mindful of declensions when using it in sentences; for example, always adjust for case as per Russian grammar rules. If multiple translations exist, choose "леопард" for precision in animal-related topics, but "барс" might be preferred in Central Asian contexts for cultural accuracy.

• In plural forms, ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs.
• Avoid confusion with "тигр" ( tiger), as they are distinct big cats.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse declensions or confuse it with similar words. For example:

• Error: Saying "Я видел леопард" (incorrect accusative).
  Correct: "Я видел леопарда" (proper accusative form).
  Explanation: Russian requires the accusative case for direct objects, so change the ending based on the noun's declension.
• Error: Using "леопards" as a plural (influenced by English).
  Correct: "леопарды".
  Explanation: Russian plurals don't borrow from English; learn the standard pluralization rules for nouns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, leopards are often depicted in folklore and literature as symbols of wildness and agility, similar to Western portrayals. However, in regions like the Caucasus, the "барс" (leopard) holds significance in local mythology as a guardian spirit, reflecting the animal's historical presence in Russian wildlife narratives.

Related Concepts:

• тигр ( tiger)
• гепард (cheetah)
• рысь (lynx)