Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plumage'

English Word: plumage

Key Russian Translations:

• оперение /ɐˈpʲerʲɪnʲɪje/ - [Formal, Used in scientific or biological contexts]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized fields like ornithology; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to biology

Pronunciation (Russian):

оперение: /ɐˈpʲerʲɪnʲɪje/

Note on оперение: The stress falls on the third syllable. Be cautious with the palatalized 'p' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The feathers covering a bird's body, often referring to their color, arrangement, or condition.

Translation(s) & Context:

• оперение - Used in formal, scientific, or descriptive contexts, such as in biology, wildlife discussions, or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Птица имела яркое оперение, которое привлекало внимание всех наблюдателей.

  The bird had bright plumage that attracted the attention of all observers.

• Во время миграции оперение у многих видов птиц меняет цвет для маскировки.

  During migration, the plumage of many bird species changes color for camouflage.

• Оперение орла отличается своей прочностью и разнообразием оттенков.

  The plumage of the eagle is distinguished by its durability and variety of shades.

• В зоопарке мы изучили, как оперение помогает птицам в терморегуляции.

  At the zoo, we studied how plumage helps birds with thermoregulation.

• Художник мастерски изобразил оперение попугая в своей картине.

  The artist skillfully depicted the plumage of the parrot in his painting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Оперение" is a neuter noun in the second declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. It is typically used in singular form but can be pluralized.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: перьевой покров (feathery covering; more descriptive, often used in poetic contexts), перья (feathers; more general but less specific to overall plumage)
• Antonyms: (None directly applicable, as "plumage" is a specific biological term without a clear opposite in Russian)

Related Phrases:

• Яркое оперение - Bright plumage; Used to describe visually striking feathers in wildlife or art contexts.
• Сезонная смена оперения - Seasonal plumage change; Refers to molting processes in birds during migration or breeding.
• Разноцветное оперение - Colorful plumage; Common in discussions of bird species diversity or aesthetics.

Usage Notes:

"Оперение" directly corresponds to "plumage" in English, focusing on the collective feathers of birds. It is typically formal and not used in casual conversation; opt for it in scientific, educational, or descriptive writing. When choosing between translations like "оперение" and "перья," use "оперение" for the overall structure and appearance, while "перья" is better for individual feathers. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian case rules to fit sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "перья" (feathers) interchangeably with "оперение" without considering context. For example, a learner might say "Птица имеет перья" when describing overall plumage.

  Correct: "Птица имеет оперение" (The bird has plumage). Explanation: "Перья" refers to individual feathers, while "оперение" encompasses the entire set, so they are not always synonyms.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "в оперение" instead of "в оперении" in prepositional case.

  Correct: "Мы говорим об оперении" (We are talking about the plumage). Explanation: Russian nouns must change form based on case; incorrect declension can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "оперение" is often referenced in literature and folklore, such as in stories about birds symbolizing freedom or transformation (e.g., in fairy tales by writers like Alexander Pushkin). It doesn't carry strong modern cultural connotations but can evoke themes of nature and adaptation in Russian environmental discussions.

Related Concepts:

• перья (feathers)
• крылья (wings)
• птичий покров (bird covering)