Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mountain'

English Word: mountain

Key Russian Translations:

• гора [ˈɡorə] - [Formal, used for natural geographical features]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language, literature, and geography-related discussions)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic User level in CEFR; straightforward for beginners but requires understanding of basic noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гора: [ˈɡorə]

Note on гора: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'г' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers used to 'g' as in "go". Variations in regional accents might soften it slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гора - Used in formal and informal contexts for describing mountains in geography, travel, or literature, e.g., in sentences about natural landscapes.

Usage Examples:

• Мы поднялись на вершину горы, чтобы увидеть потрясающий вид.

  We climbed to the top of the mountain to see the amazing view.

• Горы в этом регионе покрыты снегом круглый год.

  The mountains in this region are covered in snow all year round.

• Она любит ходить в походы по горам летом.

  She loves going hiking in the mountains during the summer.

• Гора Эверест является высочайшей в мире.

  Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

• В горах часто бывает непредсказуемая погода, так что будьте осторожны.

  The weather in the mountains is often unpredictable, so be careful.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Гора is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. It changes based on case and number, which is typical for Russian nouns. Below is a table of its inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: вершина (summit, often used for the top of a mountain); хребет (ridge, for mountain ranges)
• – вершина might imply a peak rather than the entire mountain, suitable for mountaineering contexts.
• Antonyms: долина (valley); равнина (plain)

Related Phrases:

• Горная цепь - A mountain range; used in geographical descriptions.
• Подняться на гору - To climb a mountain; common in adventure or travel contexts.
• Горы Кавказа - The Caucasus Mountains; refers to a specific mountain system with cultural significance.

Usage Notes:

Гора directly corresponds to "mountain" in English and is the most precise translation for natural elevations. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific texts) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "из" (from). When multiple translations exist, choose гора for general contexts, but вершина for peaks specifically. This word integrates well into compound phrases, enhancing its versatility in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing гора with холм (hill) due to similar English concepts. Incorrect: "Это холм" when meaning "This is a mountain." Correct: "Это гора." Explanation: Холм refers to a smaller elevation, so use гора for larger features to avoid understatement.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Я вижу гора" instead of "Я вижу гору" (accusative case). Correct: Always adjust for case, as Russian requires agreement. Explanation: This is a common beginner mistake that can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, mountains like the Ural Mountains symbolize a natural divide between Europe and Asia, often featured in literature and folklore. For instance, in Russian poetry, mountains evoke themes of adventure, isolation, or national identity, as seen in works by Pushkin. This cultural connotation can add depth when using гора in contexts beyond literal geography.

Related Concepts:

• вершина
• долина
• хребет