Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lope'

English Word: lope

Key Russian Translations:

• бежать [ˈbʲeʐʲatʲ] - [Informal, commonly used for steady, loping movement]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversation but not as frequent as basic verbs like 'идти')

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb aspects and conjugations, per CEFR)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бежать: [ˈbʲeʐʲatʲ]

Note on бежать: The stress falls on the first syllable ('бе'). Be mindful of the palatalized 'ж' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To run with a long, relaxed stride (as in animal movement or casual jogging)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бежать - Used in informal contexts for describing steady, effortless running, often implying a natural gait.

Usage Examples:

• Лошадь бежит по полю, наслаждаясь свободой.

  The horse is loping across the field, enjoying its freedom.

• Он бежит трусцой по парку каждое утро.

  He lopes through the park every morning at a jog.

• Дети бегают по пляжу, как волки в стае.

  The children are loping along the beach like wolves in a pack.

• В лесу олень бежит грациозно, избегая охотников.

  In the forest, the deer is loping gracefully, evading hunters.

Meaning 2: To move in a bounding or leaping manner (less common, metaphorical use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бежать - Applied in poetic or descriptive contexts for bounding movements, but less literal than in Meaning 1.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер заставляет листья бежать по дороге.

  The wind makes the leaves lope along the road.

• Спортсмен бежит к финишу, набирая скорость.

  The athlete is loping toward the finish line, picking up speed.

• По снегу заяц бежит зигзагами, уходя от опасности.

  The hare is loping in zigzags through the snow, escaping danger.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'бежать' is an imperfective verb in Russian, which means it describes ongoing or repeated actions. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: The verb has an imperfective aspect, so for completed actions, use the perfective counterpart 'бежать' paired with 'побежать' in some contexts. It does not change for gender in the past tense except in agreement with the subject.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мчаться (to dash, faster and more urgent), бежать (itself, but can vary by context for a more leisurely pace)
• Antonyms: стоять (to stand, implying complete cessation of movement)

Related Phrases:

• бежать сломя голову - A phrase meaning 'to run headlong' or recklessly, often used for impulsive actions; implies haste without caution.
• бежать наперегонки - Meaning 'to race or lope against someone', used in competitive or playful contexts.

Usage Notes:

Russian verbs like 'бежать' must align with the aspect system: it's imperfective, so it's ideal for describing ongoing actions related to 'lope', such as habitual or descriptive running. Unlike English 'lope', which is neutral, 'бежать' can imply informality—opt for more formal equivalents like 'двигаться' in professional settings. When translating 'lope', consider the context; if it's animal-like movement, 'бежать' fits well, but for human actions, check for synonyms to capture nuances. Always pair with appropriate prepositions, e.g., 'по' for surfaces.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the imperfective 'бежать' with its perfective form 'побежать' (to run off suddenly). For example, learners might say 'Я побегу каждый день' when meaning habitual action, but correctly it should be 'Я бегу каждый день' for ongoing routine.

  Correct: 'Я бегу по парку' (I am loping in the park). Explanation: 'Побежать' implies a single, completed action, which doesn't match the sustained nature of 'lope'.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stressed syllable, leading to confusion with similar verbs like 'бежать' (a variant). For instance, saying [bʲeˈʐatʲ] instead of [ˈbʲeʐʲatʲ]. Correct: Practice the initial stress to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

While 'бежать' itself doesn't carry strong cultural connotations, it's often used in Russian literature and folklore to describe freedom or escape, as in stories of animals or heroes fleeing pursuit. This reflects Russia's vast landscapes and themes of endurance in folk tales, helping English speakers appreciate the verb's dynamic, liberating essence in cultural contexts.

Related Concepts:

• идти (to walk)
• мчаться (to rush)
• прыгать (to jump)