Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pigeon'

English Word: pigeon

Key Russian Translations:

• голубь [ɡɐˈlubʲ] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday language, literature, and media)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary word with straightforward grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

голубь: [ɡɐˈlubʲ]

Note on голубь: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lúb'"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'b' sound, which is common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation can vary slightly in dialects, but [ɡɐˈlubʲ] is standard.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A bird of the pigeon family, often associated with urban environments or symbolism.

Translation(s) & Context:

• голубь - Used in general, everyday contexts to refer to the bird; common in formal and informal settings, such as wildlife discussions or literature.

Usage Examples:

• В парке часто можно увидеть голубя, ищущего крошки хлеба.

  In the park, you can often see a pigeon looking for bread crumbs.

• Голубь символизирует мир в многих культурах, включая русскую.

  The pigeon symbolizes peace in many cultures, including Russian ones.

• Дети кормят голубей у фонтана, несмотря на предупреждения.

  Children feed pigeons by the fountain, despite the warnings.

• Этот голубь, вероятно, потерялся во время миграции.

  This pigeon has probably gotten lost during migration.

• В городе голуби адаптировались к жизни рядом с людьми.

  In the city, pigeons have adapted to living alongside people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Голубь" is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes predictably by case, as shown. No irregular forms are present.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • горлица (gorlitsa) - Often used for a specific type of pigeon or dove; implies a more poetic or gentle connotation.
  • птица (ptitsa) - General term for bird; less specific but can be used in broader contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • хищник (khishchnik) - Predator; contrasts with the peaceful nature of pigeons.

Related Phrases:

• Голубь мира (Golub' mira) - "Dove of peace"; a phrase symbolizing harmony and often used in diplomatic or cultural contexts.
• Кормить голубей (Kormit' golubey) - "To feed pigeons"; refers to a common urban activity, sometimes with implications of kindness or pest control.
• Городской голубь (Gorodskoy golub') - "City pigeon"; highlights pigeons adapted to urban life, with a connotation of resilience.

Usage Notes:

"Голубь" directly corresponds to the English "pigeon" in most contexts, but in Russian, it can carry a slightly more affectionate or symbolic tone, especially in literature or idioms. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both spoken and written language. When choosing this translation, note that Russian requires attention to case (e.g., use genitive "голубя" after prepositions like "of"). For plural forms, "голуби" is standard. If the context involves symbolism, such as peace, this word is ideal; otherwise, avoid confusion with "горлица" for doves.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the nominative form "голубь" in all cases, e.g., saying "Я видел голубь" instead of "Я видел голубя" (accusative).

  Correct: "Я видел голубя." Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case; here, accusative requires "голубя" after verbs like "videt' (to see)." This mistake often stems from English's lack of case systems.

• Error: Confusing "голубь" with "голубка" (female pigeon), leading to gender mismatches.

  Correct: Use "голубка" only for females; for general or male references, stick with "голубь." Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so context matters to avoid inaccuracies in descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the pigeon (голубь) is often linked to peace and freedom, drawing from biblical and folk traditions. For instance, it appears in Soviet-era symbolism, such as in art and literature, representing hope after World War II. This cultural connotation can add depth to its usage, making it more than just a bird in poetic or historical contexts.

Related Concepts:

• воробей (vorobey) - Sparrow
• птичий мир (pticheskiy mir) - Bird world
• миграция (migratsiya) - Migration