Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'manger'

English Word: manger

Key Russian Translations:

• ясли [ˈjaslʲi] - [Formal, Plural, Often used in religious or literary contexts]
• кормушка [kɐrˈmuʂkə] - [Informal, Singular, Used in everyday or agricultural settings]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in daily conversation; they appear more in specialized contexts like literature, religion, or farming.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of Russian noun cases and cultural nuances. For 'ясли', it may be slightly more challenging due to its plural-only form; for 'кормушка', it's straightforward for intermediate learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ясли: [ˈjaslʲi]

Note on ясли: This word features palatalization in the 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. It is always plural and stressed on the first syllable. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this pronunciation.

кормушка: [kɐrˈmuʂkə]

Note on кормушка: The 'ш' sound is a soft fricative, similar to the 'sh' in "sheep," but ensure the stress falls on the second syllable. No major regional variations in standard pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A feeding trough or open box for livestock feed

Translation(s) & Context:

• ясли - Typically used in religious or biblical contexts, such as the Nativity story, to refer to a simple trough. It conveys a more archaic or formal tone.
• кормушка - Applied in practical, everyday scenarios like farming or animal care, emphasizing functionality rather than symbolism.

Usage Examples:

• В рождественской истории Иисус был положен в ясли после рождения.

  In the Christmas story, Jesus was placed in a manger after his birth. (This example shows 'ясли' in a religious narrative, highlighting its plural form and cultural context.)

• Фермеры обычно заполняют кормушку свежей соломой для скота зимой.

  Farmers usually fill the manger with fresh straw for the livestock in winter. (Here, 'кормушка' is used in an agricultural setting, demonstrating its everyday application.)

• В музее экспонируется реконструкция яслей из библейских времен.

  In the museum, there is a reconstruction of a manger from biblical times. (This illustrates 'ясли' in a historical or educational context, showing its adaptability in descriptive language.)

• Дети на ферме помогали чистить кормушку от старой еды.

  The children on the farm helped clean the manger of old food. (This example uses 'кормушка' in a simple, interactive scenario, emphasizing practical usage.)

• Во время праздника мы размышляли о символизме яслей в христианской традиции.

  During the holiday, we reflected on the symbolism of the manger in Christian tradition. (This demonstrates 'ясли' in a reflective, cultural discussion, varying the grammatical structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The Russian translations of 'manger' are nouns with specific inflection patterns. 'Ясли' is an irregular plural-only noun, while 'кормушка' is a regular feminine noun that follows standard declension rules.

Note: 'Ясли' is largely indeclinable due to its archaic nature, making it simpler in some ways, while 'кормушка' requires attention to case endings in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • корытце (koryttse) - A smaller, more diminutive trough; often used for birds or small animals, with a slightly affectionate connotation.
  • яслик (yaslik) - A variant or diminutive form of ясли, used in poetic or regional contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • пустой сосуд (pustoy sosud) - Not a direct antonym, but implies an empty container, contrasting with a filled manger.

Related Phrases:

• рождественские ясли (rozhdestvenskie yasli) - Christmas manger; refers to the Nativity scene in holiday contexts.
• наполнить кормушку (napolnit kormushku) - To fill the manger; a common phrase in agricultural or animal care discussions, meaning to provide feed.
• ясли для скота (yasli dlya skota) - Manger for livestock; used to specify the type of trough in farming scenarios.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'manger' corresponds most closely to 'ясли' in religious or symbolic contexts and 'кормушка' in practical ones. Choose 'ясли' for formal, biblical, or literary settings where cultural depth is implied, as it carries connotations from Orthodox Christian traditions. 'Кормушка' is better for informal, everyday use, such as in conversations about farming. Be mindful of Russian noun cases: always use the appropriate declension based on sentence structure. For English learners, note that 'ясли' is plural-only, so avoid singular forms like *ясл* in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'ясли' with 'ясли' meaning a daycare (which it can also mean in modern Russian); incorrect: "Я поставил еду в ясли" (implying a childcare facility). Correct: Use 'кормушка' for animal feed to avoid ambiguity. Explanation: In contemporary Russian, 'ясли' primarily means a nursery, so specify context clearly.
• Using the wrong case, e.g., "Я видел кормушка" instead of "Я видел кормушку" (accusative case). Correct: Always decline based on the preposition or verb, as Russian requires. Explanation: English speakers often overlook case endings, leading to grammatical errors.
• Treating 'ясли' as singular; incorrect: "Это ясл" (non-existent form). Correct: Use "Это ясли" and pair with plural verbs. Explanation: This stems from English's lack of grammatical gender and number agreement, so practice with full sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'ясли' holds significant religious symbolism, particularly in Orthodox Christianity, where it represents humility and divine simplicity in the Nativity story. It is commonly featured in Christmas icons and folklore, evoking themes of poverty and miracles, which differ from purely functional interpretations in English. This cultural layer adds depth, making it a word that bridges language and tradition.

Related Concepts:

• стабль (stable)
• скотный двор (livestock yard)
• библейские сцены (biblical scenes)