Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'levee'

English Word: levee

Key Russian Translations:

• дамба [ˈdambə] - [Formal, Used in engineering and environmental contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in technical or geographical discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, suitable for learners with some vocabulary in environmental or construction topics.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дамба: [ˈdambə]

Note on дамба: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'б' is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop, which may be challenging for English speakers accustomed to softer consonants. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A barrier or embankment constructed to contain water, prevent flooding, or protect land.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дамба - Typically used in formal, technical contexts such as civil engineering, environmental science, or discussions about natural disasters.

Usage Examples:

• В городе была построена дамба для защиты от наводнений.

  In the city, a levee was built to protect against floods. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case within a simple declarative sentence, illustrating its use in describing infrastructure projects.)

• Дамба предотвратила затопление полей во время сильного дождя.

  The levee prevented the fields from flooding during heavy rain. (Here, the word is used in a genitive construction, demonstrating its role in cause-and-effect scenarios.)

• Инженеры проверяют прочность дамбы ежегодно.

  Engineers inspect the levee's strength annually. (This sentence highlights the noun in an accusative context, emphasizing routine maintenance.)

• Строительство дамбы заняло несколько месяцев из-за сложных условий.

  The construction of the levee took several months due to challenging conditions. (This example incorporates the word in a genitive phrase, showing its application in project timelines.)

• Без дамбы река могла бы разрушить близлежащие дома.

  Without the levee, the river could destroy nearby homes. (This illustrates the noun in a hypothetical scenario, demonstrating its importance in risk assessment.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Дамба" is a feminine noun of the second declension in Russian, which follows regular inflection patterns for most cases. It does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: The plural forms are used when referring to multiple levees or in general contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: намыв (used for artificial embankments), насыпь (often for raised earthworks; implies a more temporary structure)
• Antonyms: канал (a channel or ditch that directs water, contrasting with a barrier)

Related Phrases:

• Строить дамбу - To build a levee (Common in construction and engineering discussions, referring to the process of creating flood defenses.)
• Прорыв дамбы - Levee breach (Used in emergency contexts to describe a failure that leads to flooding.)
• Укрепление дамбы - Levee reinforcement (Refers to strengthening existing structures against erosion or high water levels.)

Usage Notes:

"Дамба" directly corresponds to the English "levee" in its primary meaning as a flood-control structure, but it is more commonly used in formal or technical Russian than in everyday speech. English learners should note that Russian nouns like this one must agree in case, number, and gender with other elements in the sentence. For instance, when using it in prepositional phrases, ensure the correct case (e.g., "на дамбе" for "on the levee"). If the context involves a social or historical "levee" (e.g., a formal reception), Russian might use "официальный прием" instead, so choose translations based on the specific meaning to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дам" instead of "дамба" as a shortened form. Correct: While "дам" might be informally abbreviated in some contexts, it's not standard; always use the full "дамба" in formal writing. Example of error: "Мы видели дам." (Incorrect, as it sounds incomplete.) Correct: "Мы видели дамбу." (This provides the full noun for clarity.)

• Error: Confusing the genitive and accusative cases, e.g., saying "дамбу" when genitive is needed. Correct: In a sentence like "защита от дамбы" (protection from the levee), ensure the case matches; incorrect might be "защита от дамба." Explanation: Russian case endings are crucial for sentence structure, unlike English, which relies more on word order.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, levees like "дамба" are particularly significant in regions prone to flooding, such as along the Volga River. They symbolize human efforts to control nature, reflecting themes in Russian literature and history, such as in works by authors like Tolstoy, where environmental challenges intersect with societal resilience. This cultural connotation can add depth to discussions about infrastructure and environmental policy.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• наводнение (flood)
• укрепление (reinforcement)