Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mare'

English Word: mare

Key Russian Translations:

• кобыла [kɐˈbɨlə] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language related to animals and agriculture)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic; suitable for beginners learning basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кобыла: [kɐˈbɨlə]

Note on кобыла: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A female horse

Translation(s) & Context:

• кобыла - Used in general contexts for referring to a female horse, especially in agricultural or equestrian settings.

Usage Examples:

• На ферме мы разводим лошадей, в том числе кобылу по имени Белка.

  On the farm, we breed horses, including a mare named Belka.

• Кобыла быстро бежит по полю, неся на себе всадника.

  The mare runs quickly across the field, carrying a rider on her back.

• В зоопарке есть кобыла, которая недавно родила жеребёнка.

  In the zoo, there is a mare that recently gave birth to a foal.

• Кобыла в упряжке тянет телегу через лес.

  The mare in the harness pulls the cart through the forest.

• Моя кобыла очень спокойная и идеально подходит для начинающих наездников.

  My mare is very calm and perfect for beginner riders.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кобыла is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лошадь (general term for horse, but less specific to females)
  • кобылица (more archaic or regional variant)
• Antonyms:
  • жеребец (stallion; male horse)

Related Phrases:

• Дикая кобыла - Wild mare; often used in contexts of untamed animals or metaphors for freedom.
• Рабочая кобыла - Working mare; refers to a horse used for labor, with connotations of reliability and strength.
• Кобыла с жеребёнком - Mare with a foal; commonly used in breeding or family animal contexts.

Usage Notes:

кобыла directly corresponds to the English "mare" as a female horse, but in Russian, it's important to use it in contexts where gender specificity is relevant, such as in veterinary or equestrian discussions. It is a formal term and can be used across various registers, but avoid it in highly poetic or metaphorical speech where more general terms like "лошадь" might suffice. When choosing between translations, opt for кобыла if emphasizing the female aspect; grammatically, it must agree in gender, number, and case with other elements in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кобыл" as the nominative singular form. Correct: The nominative singular is "кобыла". Incorrect example: *Кобыл бежит по полю.* Correct example: Кобыла бежит по полю. Explanation: Beginners often confuse cases; always check the nominative form first.

• Error: Mixing up with "жеребец" (stallion). Correct: Use кобыла only for females. Incorrect example: *Этот жеребец — кобыла.* Correct example: Эта кобыла — самка лошади. Explanation: Gender errors are common; remember кобыла is feminine.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, horses like the кобыла have historically symbolized strength, endurance, and rural life, as seen in folklore and literature such as Tolstoy's works. The term can carry connotations of reliability in proverbs, like "Кобыла не убежит" (A mare won't run away), implying steadfastness in everyday situations.

Related Concepts:

• лошадь (horse)
• жеребёнок (foal)
• всадник (rider)