Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'peony'

English Word: peony

Key Russian Translations:

• пион /pʲɪˈon/ - [Noun, Formal, Used in botanical or everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about flowers, gardening, or nature, but not as frequent as everyday words like "flower" or "tree")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward noun with basic inflections, suitable for early learners of Russian vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пион: /pʲɪˈon/

Note on пион: The initial 'п' is palatalized (as in 'pʲ'), which is a common feature in Russian for words starting with 'п' followed by a vowel. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, but this IPA reflects standard Moscow dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The flower peony (a type of flowering plant with large, colorful blooms)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пион - Used in contexts related to botany, gardening, or floral descriptions, often in formal or descriptive writing; common in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В саду растут красивые пионы.

  In the garden, beautiful peonies are growing. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, describing a scene in a natural setting.)

• Она подарила мне букет пионов на день рождения.

  She gave me a bouquet of peonies for my birthday. (Illustrates the noun in the genitive case within a phrase, common in gift-giving contexts.)

• Первые пионы расцветают весной в парке.

  The first peonies bloom in the spring in the park. (Demonstrates plural form and use in seasonal descriptions, highlighting temporal contexts.)

• Пион — это один из самых популярных цветов в русской флористике.

  The peony is one of the most popular flowers in Russian floristry. (Shows the noun as a subject in a general statement, useful for educational or cultural discussions.)

• Я сажаю пионы в своём саду каждый год.

  I plant peonies in my garden every year. (Exemplifies habitual actions with the noun in various cases, emphasizing routine activities.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word "пион" is a masculine noun in Russian (despite its appearance, it follows the second declension pattern for masculine nouns). It has regular inflections based on cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: These inflections are regular for most masculine nouns ending in a consonant, making it easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: роза (a similar flower, but more common; used interchangeably in floral contexts for beauty), гвоздика (carnation; implies a different type of flower with cultural connotations)
• Antonyms: сорняк (weed; represents something undesirable in a garden, contrasting with the beauty of peonies)

Related Phrases:

• Пион в саду — Peony in the garden (A simple phrase used to describe floral arrangements in domestic settings.)
• Букет из пионов — Bouquet of peonies (Common in contexts of gifts or celebrations, emphasizing aesthetic appeal.)
• Цветущий пион — Blooming peony (Used in poetic or descriptive language to highlight seasonal beauty.)

Usage Notes:

"Пион" directly corresponds to the English "peony" as a noun referring to the flower. It is neutral in tone and can be used in both formal (e.g., botanical texts) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversations about gardening). Be mindful of case inflections when constructing sentences; for instance, use the genitive form "пиона" after prepositions like "из" (from/of). When multiple flower types are discussed, "пион" is preferred for specificity over general terms like "цветок" (flower). Learners should practice with plural forms to handle everyday descriptions accurately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу пион" when it should be "Я вижу пиона" in certain contexts (like after a verb requiring genitive). Correct: "Я вижу пион" is fine for accusative, but beginners often mix it with nominative. Explanation: Russian cases depend on the sentence structure; always check the role of the noun in the sentence to avoid this.

• Error: Confusing "пион" with "пионер" (pioneer, as in a young explorer or historical figure). Correct: Use "пион" only for the flower; the similar spelling can lead to mix-ups in vocabulary lists. Explanation: This homophonic error is common for English speakers due to visual similarity, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the peony (пион) symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, often featured in traditional art and folklore. It is commonly associated with spring festivals and is a popular motif in Slavic embroidery and garden designs, reflecting Russia's appreciation for nature and seasonal beauty.

Related Concepts:

• роза
• тюльпан
• цветок