Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'marathon'

English Word: marathon

Key Russian Translations:

• марафон [mərəˈfon] - [Formal, Informal; Used in sports contexts or metaphorical extended efforts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in sports, media, and everyday discussions about endurance, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; As a borrowed word, it's straightforward for learners with basic Russian knowledge, but understanding its metaphorical uses requires context).

Pronunciation (Russian):

марафон: [mərəˈfon]

Note on марафон: The stress is on the second syllable ('fon'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, where the 'o' sound can soften.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: A long-distance running race.

Translation(s) & Context:

• марафон - Used in formal sports announcements or casual conversations about athletics. Context: Referring to organized events like the Boston Marathon.

Usage Examples:

• Я участвую в ежегодном марафоне в Москве. (I am participating in the annual marathon in Moscow.)

  Translation: I am participating in the annual marathon in Moscow.

• Марафон требует не только скорости, но и выносливости. (A marathon requires not only speed but also endurance.)

  Translation: A marathon requires not only speed but also endurance.

• В прошлом году марафон собрал тысячи бегунов. (Last year, the marathon attracted thousands of runners.)

  Translation: Last year, the marathon attracted thousands of runners.

• Подготовка к марафону заняла у меня несколько месяцев. (Preparing for the marathon took me several months.)

  Translation: Preparing for the marathon took me several months.

• Марафон в Нью-Йорке - один из самых престижных. (The New York Marathon is one of the most prestigious.)

  Translation: The New York Marathon is one of the most prestigious.

Metaphorical Meaning: A long, arduous task or series of events.

Translation(s) & Context:

• марафон - Used informally to describe prolonged activities, like a "marathon meeting." Context: In business or daily life to emphasize endurance.

Usage Examples:

• Эта конференция превратилась в настоящий марафон обсуждений. (This conference turned into a real marathon of discussions.)

  Translation: This conference turned into a real marathon of discussions.

• Изучение русского языка - это марафон, а не спринт. (Learning Russian is a marathon, not a sprint.)

  Translation: Learning Russian is a marathon, not a sprint.

• Марафон тренировок помог мне достичь цели. (The marathon of training helped me reach my goal.)

  Translation: The marathon of training helped me reach my goal.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Марафон" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from English/Greek, and it follows standard Russian declension patterns for third-declension nouns with some irregularities due to its foreign origin.

Note: It does not change in gender but has regular plural forms. In metaphorical uses, it remains invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • длительный забег (long run; more descriptive, used in athletic contexts)
  • выносливый тест (endurance test; emphasizes stamina over distance)
• Antonyms:
  • спринт (sprint; implies short, intense effort)
  • краткий забег (short run; for brief activities)

Related Phrases:

• Марафонский бег - A running marathon; refers specifically to the sport. (Used in athletic training or events.)
• Бостонский марафон - Boston Marathon; a famous example of the event. (Cultural reference in international sports.)
• Марафон успеха - Marathon of success; a metaphorical phrase for prolonged achievement paths. (Common in motivational contexts.)

Usage Notes:

"Марафон" directly corresponds to the English "marathon" in both literal and figurative senses, but in Russian, it's often used in formal writing or speech for events. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences—e.g., always decline it according to its grammatical role. For metaphorical uses, it's versatile across domains like business or education, but prefer it in contexts emphasizing endurance over speed. If multiple translations exist, choose "марафон" for precision in modern Russian.

• In informal settings, it can be shortened or combined with other words, like "марафон фильмов" (marathon of films).
• Grammar note: As a masculine noun, it pairs with masculine adjectives (e.g., "большой марафон" - big marathon).

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is incorrect case usage, such as using the nominative "марафон" in a genitive context. For example:

• Incorrect: Я готовлюсь к марафон. (Wrong; should be genitive for "to the marathon.")
• Correct: Я готовлюсь к марафону. (Proper genitive form.)
• Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on their role in the sentence, unlike English. Another error is overusing it metaphorically without context, which can make speech sound unnatural; stick to clear endurance scenarios.

Cultural Notes:

"Марафон" is a borrowed word from Greek via English, reflecting Russia's adoption of global sports culture. In Russia, marathons like the Moscow International Marathon symbolize national fitness initiatives and international camaraderie, often tied to historical events or charity. It carries a positive connotation of perseverance, influenced by Soviet-era emphasis on physical education.

Related Concepts:

• бег (running)
• спорт (sports)
• выносливость (endurance)