Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mane'

English Word: mane

Key Russian Translations:

• грива /ˈɡrʲivə/ - [Common noun, used for the mane of animals like lions or horses]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, wildlife descriptions, and everyday conversations about animals)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to nature and animals)

Pronunciation (Russian):

грива: /ˈɡrʲivə/

Note on грива: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pay attention to the soft 'г' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The long hair on the neck of an animal, such as a lion or horse

Translation(s) & Context:

• грива - Used in formal and informal contexts when describing animal features in literature, biology, or casual conversation.

Usage Examples:

• У льва густая грива, которая делает его величественным.

  The lion has a thick mane that makes it majestic.

• Лошадь с развевающейся гривой мчится по полю.

  The horse with a flowing mane gallops across the field.

• В зоопарке дети любовались гривой африканского льва.

  At the zoo, children admired the mane of the African lion.

• Грива жеребца была украшена цветами для парада.

  The stallion's mane was decorated with flowers for the parade.

• В мифах грива символизирует силу и дикую природу.

  In myths, the mane symbolizes strength and wild nature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

грива is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its forms:

Note: The inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • волосы (volosy) - More general term for hair, but can imply a mane in poetic contexts.
  • шевелюра (shevelyura) - Used for a bushy or unkempt mane, often with a connotation of wildness.
• Antonyms:
  • лысый (lysyiy) - Bald, implying the absence of hair or mane.

Related Phrases:

• грива льва (griva lva) - Lion's mane; a common phrase in wildlife descriptions.
• развевающаяся грива (razvevayushchayasya griva) - Flowing mane; used to describe movement in action scenes.
• грива коня (griva konya) - Horse's mane; often in equestrian contexts, with the explanation: Refers to the decorative or functional aspect in riding.

Usage Notes:

"грива" directly corresponds to the English "mane" for animals, but it's primarily used in contexts involving wild or domesticated beasts. It's neutral in formality and can appear in both spoken and written Russian. When choosing between synonyms like "шевелюра," opt for it if emphasizing untamed or abundant hair. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun and decline it according to the case required in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "грива" for human hair, e.g., saying "у него грива волос" to mean "he has a mane of hair."

  Correct: In Russian, "грива" is almost exclusively for animals. Use "волосы" or "шевелюра" for humans. Example: Incorrect - "у него грива волос"; Correct - "у него густые волосы". This mistake arises from direct translation without considering cultural nuances.

• Error: Failing to decline "грива" properly, e.g., using nominative in all cases.

  Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "о гриве льва" (about the lion's mane). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, the "грива" often symbolizes strength and freedom, as seen in folklore where a lion's mane represents majesty. In works by authors like Tolstoy, it's used metaphorically to depict untamed nature or heroic qualities, reflecting broader Slavic themes of wilderness and resilience.

Related Concepts:

• лев (lev) - Lion
• конь (kon') - Horse
• волосы (volosy) - Hair (general)