Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pelican'

English Word: pelican

Key Russian Translations:

• пеликан [pʲɪlʲɪˈkan] - [Neutral]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in contexts related to wildlife, nature, or zoology.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; as a basic noun, it is straightforward for English learners to grasp, with no complex grammar rules.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пеликан: [pʲɪlʲɪˈkan]

Note on пеликан: The pronunciation features a soft 'л' sound (palatalized 'l'), which is common in Russian. Pay attention to the stress on the third syllable. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this IPA.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large water bird with a long beak and throat pouch

Translation(s) & Context:

• пеликан - Used in general contexts to refer to the bird, such as in wildlife discussions, educational settings, or descriptive writing. This is a direct, neutral translation suitable for formal and informal use.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке можно увидеть большого пеликана с его характерным клювом.

  In the zoo, you can see a large pelican with its characteristic beak.

• Пеликан ныряет в воду, чтобы поймать рыбу.

  The pelican dives into the water to catch fish.

• В природе пеликаны часто гнездятся в колониях у озёр.

  In nature, pelicans often nest in colonies near lakes.

• Дети были восхищены, когда пеликан расправил крылья.

  The children were amazed when the pelican spread its wings.

• Этот пеликан, вероятно, мигрирует на юг зимой.

  This pelican probably migrates south in the winter.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

пеликан is a masculine noun in the first declension (first conjugation for nouns). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. As a common noun, it changes based on grammatical context.

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy for beginners to inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • птица с сумкой (bird with a pouch) - A descriptive phrase used in informal or explanatory contexts, emphasizing physical features.
  • водоплавающий (waterfowl) - A broader term, but less specific; used when grouping with other birds.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as this is a specific animal name. However, contrasting terms like сухопутная птица (land bird) could be used in comparative contexts.

Related Phrases:

• пеликан с сумкой - Pelican with a pouch; refers to the bird's distinctive feature, often used in educational or descriptive writing.
• стаи пеликанов - Flocks of pelicans; commonly used in contexts discussing migration or group behavior in nature.
• пеликан в зоопарке - Pelican in the zoo; a phrase for everyday conversations about wildlife exhibits.

Usage Notes:

пеликан directly corresponds to the English "pelican" as a straightforward noun, making it an easy word for English learners. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific texts) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). Always ensure proper declension based on the sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "of" in English equivalents. When choosing translations, stick to пеликан for precision, as other options like "водоплавающий" are more general. Be mindful of context: in Russian, animal names often appear in diminutive forms for affection, such as пеликанчик in informal speech.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline the noun correctly. For example, incorrectly using the nominative form "пеликан" in all cases, such as saying "Я видел пеликан" instead of the correct genitive in certain phrases. Correct usage: "Я видел пеликана" (I saw the pelican, accusative case).

• Mispronouncing the soft 'л' sound, which might sound like a hard 'l' in English. Error example: Pronouncing it as [pɛlɪkan] instead of [pʲɪlʲɪˈkan]. Explanation: Practice with native audio to master the palatalization, as it affects word clarity.

• Confusing it with similar words like "пеликанский" (pelican-like or related), which is an adjective. Error: Using "пеликан" as an adjective; correct: Use "пеликаний" in appropriate contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the pelican is not a central symbol like in some Western traditions (e.g., representing charity in Christianity), but it appears in folklore and literature as a symbol of resilience and adaptation to harsh environments, such as in stories set in Siberia or the Black Sea region. This reflects Russia's vast natural landscapes and the importance of wildlife in national identity.

Related Concepts:

• ворон (raven)
• чайка (seagull)
• орёл (eagle)