Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'peacock'

English Word: peacock

Key Russian Translations:

• павлин [ˈpavlʲɪn] - [Formal, used in general and literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in nature, literature, or educational contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary for basic animal descriptions, suitable for new learners of Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

павлин: [ˈpavlʲɪn]

Note on павлин: The stress falls on the first syllable ("PAV-lin"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'l' sound, which is common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The male bird of the pheasant family, noted for its brilliant plumage and display behavior.

Translation(s) & Context:

• павлин - Used in formal, educational, or descriptive contexts, such as zoology, literature, or casual observations of nature. It directly corresponds to the English "peacock" and is neutral in tone.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке можно увидеть яркого павлина с распущенным хвостом.

  In the zoo, you can see a bright peacock with its tail spread out.

• Павлин — это символ красоты и гордости в многих культурах.

  The peacock is a symbol of beauty and pride in many cultures.

• Дети восторгались, когда павлин раскрыл свой хвост.

  The children were amazed when the peacock unfurled its tail.

• В саду нашего дома живет павлин, который поёт по утрам.

  In the garden of our house, there lives a peacock that sings in the mornings.

• Художник нарисовал павлина, чтобы показать его великолепное оперение.

  The artist drew a peacock to showcase its magnificent plumage.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Павлин" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively easy for beginners to learn and use in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • птица с хвостом (bird with a tail) - A descriptive phrase, often used in informal or explanatory contexts.
  • красивая птица (beautiful bird) - More general, emphasizing appearance rather than specific species.
• Antonyms:
  • воробей (sparrow) - A small, plain bird, contrasting with the peacock's grandeur.

Related Phrases:

• Хвост павлина - Refers to the peacock's tail, often symbolizing beauty or ostentation in idiomatic expressions.
• Павлин и павлиниха - A phrase describing a peacock and peahen pair, used in discussions of animal behavior or folklore.
• Распустить хвост, как павлин - Meaning "to show off like a peacock," implying boastful behavior.

Usage Notes:

"Павлин" is a direct and precise translation of "peacock" in most contexts, maintaining a formal or neutral tone. It is commonly used in educational, literary, or descriptive settings rather than everyday slang. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case, so always adjust adjectives and verbs accordingly (e.g., "красивый павлин" for "beautiful peacock"). When choosing between translations, use "павлин" for literal references and phrases like "красивая птица" for more general descriptions. Be mindful of cultural connotations, as it often evokes themes of pride or vanity.

Common Errors:

• English learners often mistakenly use "птица" alone (meaning "bird") without specifying, leading to vagueness. Incorrect: "Я видел птица" (grammatical error; should be "птицу" in accusative). Correct: "Я видел павлина." Explanation: Always include the specific noun for accuracy and ensure proper case agreement.

• Confusing it with feminine nouns, e.g., treating "павлин" as feminine and using wrong adjectives like "красивая павлин" instead of "красивый павлин." Explanation: "Павлин" is masculine, so adjectives must match in gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the peacock (павлин) symbolizes beauty, pride, and sometimes vanity, drawing from folklore and literature. For instance, it appears in fairy tales as a majestic creature, and its image is often used in art to represent opulence. This cultural association can add depth to expressions, making it a popular motif in poetry and proverbs.

Related Concepts:

• птица (bird)
• перо (feather)
• зоопарк (zoo)