Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'park'

English Word: park

Key Russian Translations:

• парк [pɑrk] - [Noun, Formal, Used in general contexts for public spaces]
• парковать [pɐrˈkovətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday situations involving vehicles]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in urban and daily life contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house)

Difficulty: A2 for 'парк' (as a basic noun); B1 for 'парковать' (due to verb conjugation and context-specific usage, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парк: [pɑrk] (The stress is on the first syllable; note the hard 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers accustomed to softer 'r's.)

Note on парк: This word is pronounced similarly to the English "park," but ensure the Russian 'р' is rolled for authenticity.

парковать: [pɐrˈkovətʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'тʲ' is a palatalized 't', common in Russian verbs.)

Note on парковать: Pay attention to the palatalization in the ending, which softens the consonant and is a key feature of Russian phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A public area of land with grass, trees, and facilities for recreation (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• парк - Used in formal and informal settings to describe parks in cities or nature reserves, often in discussions about leisure or environment.

Usage Examples:

• Мы часто гуляем в парке по выходным.

  We often walk in the park on weekends. (This example shows the word in a casual, everyday context with a plural subject.)

• Этот парк был спроектирован известным архитектором в XIX веке.

  This park was designed by a famous architect in the 19th century. (Illustrates use in historical or descriptive contexts.)

• В парке есть детская площадка и фонтан.

  In the park, there is a playground and a fountain. (Demonstrates the word with possessive structures.)

• Летом парк полон цветов и посетителей.

  In the summer, the park is full of flowers and visitors. (Shows seasonal or descriptive usage.)

To leave a vehicle in a specific place temporarily (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• парковать - Commonly used in urban environments for parking cars, with a more informal tone; often in instructions or daily conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Где я могу парковать машину возле вашего дома?

  Where can I park the car near your house? (This example highlights interrogative use in practical scenarios.)

• Он всегда паркует велосипед у входа.

  He always parks his bike at the entrance. (Illustrates habitual actions with adverbs.)

• Не паркуйте здесь, это запрещено.

  Don't park here; it's prohibited. (Shows imperative form in regulatory contexts.)

• В большом городе трудно парковать автомобиль.

  In a big city, it's hard to park a car. (Demonstrates use with adjectives and general statements.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'парк' (a masculine noun in the second declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is regular and changes by case and number:

For 'парковать' (a verb of the first conjugation), it is regular and conjugates as follows in the present tense:

Note: 'Парк' as a noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сквер (skver) - A smaller, more intimate green space; often used for urban squares.
  • Городской сад (gorodskoy sad) - Literally "city garden"; implies a more cultivated area than a typical park.
• Antonyms:
  • Дорога (doroga) - Road; contrasts with park as an urban non-recreational space.
  • Здание (zdanie) - Building; represents enclosed structures versus open green areas.

Related Phrases:

• Национальный парк (Natsionalnyy park) - National park; a larger protected area, often used in tourism contexts.
• Парковочное место (Parkovochnoye mesto) - Parking spot; common in driving-related phrases, with the meaning: a designated area for vehicles.
• Гулять в парке (Gulyat' v parke) - To stroll in the park; an idiomatic expression meaning leisurely walking for relaxation.

Usage Notes:

• The English word "park" corresponds most directly to "парк" as a noun for recreational spaces, but for the verb "to park," use "парковать" in modern Russian, especially in cities. Avoid literal translations like "оставлять" as they are less precise.
• Be mindful of context: "Парк" is neutral and works in both formal (e.g., official descriptions) and informal settings, while "парковать" is more casual and urban—use it in spoken language rather than formal writing.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "парк" for nature-related meanings and "парковать" for vehicular actions; always consider the grammatical case for nouns to ensure sentence accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "парк" with "парковка" (parking lot). Error: Saying "Я иду в парковку" to mean "I'm going to the park." Correct: "Я иду в парк." Explanation: "Парковка" specifically means a parking area, not a green space.
• Another mistake is incorrect verb conjugation, e.g., using "паркует" incorrectly in the wrong person. Error: "Я паркует" (incorrect). Correct: "Я паркую." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, parks like Gorky Park in Moscow are not just recreational spaces but social hubs for festivals, ice skating in winter, and community events. They reflect Russia's emphasis on public leisure, stemming from Soviet-era urban planning, which aimed to provide accessible green areas for all citizens.

Related Concepts:

• Сад (sad) - Garden
• Лес (les) - Forest
• Площадь (ploshchad') - Square