Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ostrich'

English Word: ostrich

Key Russian Translations:

• страус [ˈstraʊs] - [Common noun, used in general contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in educational, zoological, or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a straightforward noun with basic vocabulary implications, suitable for early learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

страус: [ˈstraʊs]

Note on страус: The stress is on the first syllable. Pronounce the 'au' as in the English word "house." Be cautious with the Russian 'с' sound, which is soft and similar to 's' in "see." Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large flightless bird native to Africa

Translation(s) & Context:

• страус - Used in general contexts when referring to the animal, such as in wildlife discussions, zoos, or educational settings. It is a neutral, everyday term.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке есть страус, который бегает очень быстро.

  In the zoo, there is an ostrich that runs very fast.

• Страус не летает, но он может развивать высокую скорость на земле.

  The ostrich does not fly, but it can develop high speed on the ground.

• Я видел страуса в дикой природе Африки во время сафари.

  I saw an ostrich in the wild in Africa during a safari.

• Страусы часто используются в фольклоре для иллюстрации силы и выносливости.

  Ostriches are often used in folklore to illustrate strength and endurance.

• В музее есть чучело страуса из экспедиции в Сахару.

  In the museum, there is a stuffed ostrich from an expedition to the Sahara.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Страус" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. As a common noun, it changes based on grammatical case but remains invariable in plural forms in most contexts since it typically refers to individual animals.

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple ostriches. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • африканский страус (African ostrich) - More specific, used when emphasizing the species origin; implies a regional context.
  • большой страус (big ostrich) - Informal variant, highlighting size in descriptive speech.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "страус" is a specific animal noun. However, conceptually, it could contrast with flying birds like "воробей" (sparrow).

Related Phrases:

• Африканский страус - Refers to the specific species; used in scientific or geographical contexts. (English: African ostrich, often in wildlife discussions.)
• Страус в зоопарке - A common phrase for zoo exhibits; implies educational or observational settings. (English: Ostrich in the zoo.)
• Перья страуса - Refers to ostrich feathers; used in fashion or decorative contexts. (English: Ostrich feathers, often in historical or artistic references.)

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "страус" directly corresponds to the English "ostrich" as a noun, referring specifically to the large flightless bird. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific writing) and informal (e.g., casual conversation) settings. When choosing this translation, note that Russian nouns have grammatical gender (here, masculine), which affects sentence structure, such as adjective agreement (e.g., "большой страус" for "big ostrich"). Be mindful of context: in Russian, animal names like this are often used metaphorically to describe human behaviors, such as ignoring problems ("зарываться в песок как страус," meaning "burying one's head in the sand like an ostrich"). For learners, start with singular forms before exploring inflections.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong gender agreement, e.g., saying "большая страус" instead of "большой страус." (Incorrect: большая страус; Correct: большой страус) - Explanation: "Страус" is masculine, so adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case. This is a common mistake for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian grammar.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun in sentences, e.g., using "страус" in all cases instead of "страуса" in genitive. (Incorrect: Я ем яблоко страус; Correct: Я ем яблоко страуса) - Explanation: Russian requires case changes for proper sentence flow, which can confuse beginners used to English's lack of inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the ostrich is not as symbolically prominent as in some Western traditions (e.g., the "burying its head in the sand" idiom), but it appears in folklore and literature to represent exotic wildlife or resilience. For instance, Russian children's stories or educational materials often feature ostriches in African settings, reflecting Russia's historical interest in exploration and zoology. This can help English learners appreciate how Russian views foreign animals through a lens of curiosity rather than myth.

Related Concepts:

• воробей (sparrow)
• орёл (eagle)
• птица (bird, general term)