Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pasture'

English Word: pasture

Key Russian Translations:

• пастбище [pɐsʲtʲˈbʲiʂə] - [Formal, typically used in agricultural or rural contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in discussions about farming, nature, or rural life in Russian media and literature.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level according to CEFR; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to nature, but not overly complex for learners with basic grammar knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пастбище: [pɐsʲtʲˈbʲiʂə]

Note on пастбище: The stress falls on the third syllable ("bʲi"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft consonants (ʲ) and the rolled 'r' sound. Pronunciation can vary slightly in regional dialects, but this IPA represents standard Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A piece of land covered with grass or other vegetation, used for grazing animals.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пастбище - Used in formal, agricultural, or descriptive contexts, such as in environmental reports or literature about rural life.

Usage Examples:

• Коровы пасутся на зелёном пастбище летом.

  Cows graze on the green pasture in the summer. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting seasonal usage.)

• Фермеры охраняют пастбище от засухи, чтобы сохранить траву.

  Farmers protect the pasture from drought to preserve the grass. (Demonstrates the word in a context involving environmental challenges and human intervention.)

• В русской деревне пастбище часто становится местом для отдыха животных.

  In a Russian village, the pasture often becomes a place for animals to rest. (Illustrates cultural or geographical specificity, showing the word in a broader descriptive setting.)

• После дождя пастбище покрывается свежей травой, привлекающей скот.

  After the rain, the pasture is covered with fresh grass, attracting livestock. (This example varies the structure with a temporal clause, emphasizing natural processes.)

• Молодые пастухи заботятся о стаде на обширном пастбище.

  Young shepherds take care of the herd on the vast pasture. (Shows the word in a narrative context involving people and animals, with a focus on scale.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пастбище" is a neuter noun in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern for nouns ending in -е. It is a common noun and exhibits regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Луг (lug) - More general term for a meadow, often implying a natural, non-agricultural area; subtle difference in connotation as it may not always involve grazing.
  • Поле (pole) - Refers to a field, typically cultivated; used when the land is part of farming but less specific to grazing.
• Antonyms:
  • Пустыня (pustynia) - Desert, implying barren land without vegetation.
  • Город (gorod) - City or urban area, contrasting with rural, natural settings.

Related Phrases:

• Зелёное пастбище - Green pasture; a common phrase used to describe lush, fertile land in agricultural contexts.
• Общее пастбище - Common pasture; refers to shared land for community grazing, often in historical or cooperative farming scenarios.
• Пастбище для скота - Pasture for livestock; emphasizes the functional aspect in animal husbandry.

Usage Notes:

"Пастбище" directly corresponds to the English "pasture" in meaning, but it's more formal and less frequently used in casual speech. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case for grammatical agreement; for example, use the genitive case when indicating possession, as in "на пастбище коров" (of the cows on the pasture). If multiple translations exist, choose "пастбище" for precise agricultural contexts, while "луг" might suit poetic or natural descriptions. Be mindful of regional variations in rural Russia, where this word appears in folklore or modern environmental discussions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "пастбище" with "паша" (pasha, meaning a plowed field): English learners might mistakenly use "паша" when referring to grazing land. Incorrect: "Коровы на паше." Correct: "Коровы на пастбище." Explanation: "Паша" implies cultivated soil, not natural grazing, so it changes the meaning entirely.

• Overlooking declension: Forgetting to change the form in sentences, e.g., saying "в пастбище" instead of "в пастбище" (correct for prepositional case). Incorrect: "Я иду в пастбище." Correct: "Я иду на пастбище." Explanation: Prepositions like "в" (in) require the prepositional case, which for "пастбище" is unchanged in singular, but errors arise in more complex sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "пастбище" often evokes images of traditional rural life, as seen in classic literature like Tolstoy's works, where pastures symbolize simplicity and connection to nature. Historically, communal pastures were central to village economies in pre-Soviet Russia, reflecting themes of community and agrarian heritage that persist in modern folklore and environmental movements.

Related Concepts:

• Ферма (ferma) - Farm
• Скот (skot) - Livestock
• Лесной луг (lesnoy lug) - Forest meadow