Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lioness'

English Word: lioness

Key Russian Translations:

• львица [ˈlʲvʲɪtsə] - [Formal, Used in zoological or literary contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in educational, wildlife, or literary discussions.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, as it involves basic noun inflections; suitable for beginners learning Russian noun cases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

львица: [ˈlʲvʲɪtsə]

Note on львица: The initial 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian; pronounce it softly as in 'l' in 'million'. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A female lion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• львица - Refers specifically to a female lion in contexts like wildlife documentaries, zoos, or metaphorical uses in literature (e.g., symbolizing strength or femininity).

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке живет молодая львица, которая заботится о своих львенятах.

  In the zoo, a young lioness lives who takes care of her cubs. (This example shows the word in a descriptive, everyday context involving family and wildlife.)

• Львица в сафари-парке демонстрирует свою грацию и силу перед туристами.

  The lioness in the safari park demonstrates her grace and strength in front of tourists. (Illustrates use in a tourism or observational setting, emphasizing animal behavior.)

• В русской сказке главная героиня описана как гордая львица, охраняющая своё королевство.

  In the Russian fairy tale, the main heroine is described as a proud lioness guarding her kingdom. (Demonstrates metaphorical use in literature, highlighting symbolic connotations.)

• Учёные изучают, как львица взаимодействует с прайдом в дикой природе Африки.

  Scientists study how the lioness interacts with the pride in the wild nature of Africa. (Shows application in scientific or educational contexts, with a focus on social dynamics.)

• Художник нарисовал портрет львицы, чтобы символизировать материнскую преданность.

  The artist drew a portrait of a lioness to symbolize maternal devotion. (Exemplifies use in artistic or symbolic expressions, varying grammatical structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word 'львица' is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. As a feminine noun ending in -а, it has regular declensions but no irregularities.

Note: This word does not change in the plural for some cases due to standard patterns, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • самка льва (samka l'va) - Literally 'female lion'; used interchangeably in informal or scientific contexts, but 'львица' is more poetic.
  • львиная самка (l'vinnaya samka) - Emphasizes the species; suitable for technical descriptions with slight redundancy.
• Antonyms:
  • лев (lev) - Refers to a male lion, contrasting in gender.

Related Phrases:

• гордая львица (proud lioness) - A metaphorical phrase often used to describe a strong, independent woman; implies resilience and leadership.
• львица в прайде (lioness in the pride) - Refers to social dynamics in animal groups; used in wildlife education to discuss family structures.
• молодая львица (young lioness) - Describes age-specific characteristics; commonly in stories or documentaries about animal growth.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'львица' directly corresponds to 'lioness' in English, maintaining a precise gender-specific meaning. It is typically used in formal or educational contexts rather than casual speech. Be mindful of noun cases when constructing sentences; for example, use the genitive case for possession (e.g., 'хвост львицы' for 'the lioness's tail'). If multiple translations exist, choose 'львица' for literary or zoological accuracy over more descriptive phrases like 'самка льва'. Avoid overusing in everyday conversation, as it may sound overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Using the wrong case: Learners often mistakenly use the nominative 'львица' in all contexts. For example, incorrect: 'Я увидел львица' (I saw lioness). Correct: 'Я увидел львицу' (in accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with verbs and prepositions.

• Confusing with masculine form: Mixing up 'львица' with 'лев', leading to gender errors. For instance, incorrect: 'Лев с львенком' when referring to a female (should be 'Львица с львенком'). Explanation: Always check the gender of the animal in context to select the appropriate word.

• Over-literal translation: English speakers might translate 'lioness' as 'женская львица', which is redundant. Correct: Simply use 'львица'. Explanation: Russian nouns like this already imply gender, so additions are unnecessary and awkward.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'львица' occasionally appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of feminine strength and protection, similar to its use in Western stories. However, since lions are not native to Russia, the word is more commonly associated with imported tales or modern wildlife media rather than indigenous folklore. This can help English learners appreciate how Russian adapts foreign concepts into its language.

Related Concepts:

• лев (lion)
• львенок (lion cub)
• тигрица (tigress)
• волчица (she-wolf)