Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dog'

English Word: dog

Key Russian Translations:

• собака [sɐˈbakə] - [Formal, General use for a dog]
• пёс [pʲɵs] - [Informal, Specifically for a male dog]

Frequency: High (Very common in everyday Russian language)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it's a basic vocabulary word)

Pronunciation (Russian):

собака: [sɐˈbakə]

Note on собака: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the vowel sounds, as Russian vowels can vary in pronunciation based on context.

Audio: []

пёс: [pʲɵs]

Note on пёс: The initial "п" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian; practice the soft sound for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The animal (canine pet or wild dog)

Translation(s) & Context:

• собака - Used in general contexts for dogs, such as pets or strays, in formal or everyday speech.
• пёс - Applied specifically to male dogs in informal or literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У нас дома есть собака, которая любит играть в саду.

  We have a dog at home that loves to play in the garden.

• Этот пёс всегда охраняет дом от чужих.

  This dog always guards the house from strangers.

• В парке я увидел бездомную собаку, ищущую еду.

  In the park, I saw a stray dog looking for food.

• Моя собака — верный друг и компаньон в долгих прогулках.

  My dog is a loyal friend and companion on long walks.

• Пёс лает на почтальона каждый раз, когда он приходит.

  The dog barks at the mailman every time he comes.

Informal or slang reference (e.g., in expressions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• собака - Sometimes used metaphorically, e.g., in idioms, but less common for 'dog' in slang.

Usage Examples:

• Он работает как собака, чтобы прокормить семью.

  He works like a dog to support his family.

• В старом фильме пёс был главным героем.

  In the old movie, the dog was the main character.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "собака" and "пёс" are nouns. "Собака" is a feminine noun in the first declension, while "пёс" is masculine. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for "собака" (as it's more common):

For "пёс" (masculine), it follows a similar pattern but with masculine endings: Nominative: пёс; Genitive: пса; etc. These are regular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • псина (more informal, often for larger dogs)
  • щенок (puppy, a specific type of dog)
• Antonyms:
  • кошка (cat, as an opposite in animal categories)

Note: "Псина" is less formal and may imply a bigger or wilder dog, while "щенок" refers to young dogs specifically.

Related Phrases:

• Собачка (little dog or pet) - A diminutive form, often used affectionately for small dogs.
• Собака на сене (a dog in the hay) - An idiom meaning someone who doesn't use something but prevents others from using it.
• Верный как собака (faithful as a dog) - Describes unwavering loyalty in relationships.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "собака" is the most direct translation for "dog" and is used in both literal and figurative contexts, similar to English. However, choose "пёс" for male-specific references to avoid gender mismatches. Be mindful of context: in formal writing or speech, stick to standard forms, while informal settings might use diminutives like "собачка". Grammatically, always decline the noun according to its case in a sentence.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline "собака" in sentences. For example, incorrect: "Я видел собака" (I saw dog). Correct: "Я видел собаку" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change form based on grammatical role.

• Confusing "собака" with "пёс": Using "собака" for a male dog in a story might work, but "пёс" is more precise. Error: "Этот собака агрессивный" instead of "Этот пёс агрессивный". Correct usage ensures gender accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, dogs are often symbols of loyalty and protection, as seen in folklore and literature (e.g., in stories by Tolstoy). The idiom "собака на сене" reflects a cultural view on selfishness, drawing from everyday observations of animal behavior.

Related Concepts:

• кошка (cat)
• волк (wolf)
• щенок (puppy)