Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'poem'

English Word: poem

Key Russian Translations:

• стихотворение (stʲɪxətvɐˈrʲenʲɪje) - [Formal, Literary; used in written and academic contexts]
• поэма (pɐˈɛmə) - [Formal; typically refers to a longer, narrative poem, such as an epic]

Frequency: Medium; commonly encountered in literary discussions, education, and cultural contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR); requires familiarity with literary vocabulary and basic noun inflections. For "стихотворение", it's B1; for "поэма", it's also B1 due to similar grammatical structures.

Pronunciation (Russian):

стихотворение: stʲɪxətvɐˈrʲenʲɪje

Note on стихотворение: The stress is on the fourth syllable ("rʲenʲɪje"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. A softer pronunciation like "stee-khuh-tvah-rye-NEE-yeh" may help.

поэма: pɐˈɛmə

Note on поэма: Stress on the second syllable ("ɛmə"). The initial "п" is unaspirated, differing from English "p" sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A piece of writing in verse form, often expressing emotions or ideas artistically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стихотворение - Used in general literary contexts, such as poetry collections or school discussions; formal and versatile.
• поэма - Applied when referring to a longer, structured poem with a narrative; more specific to epic or heroic themes.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю читать русские стихотворения Пушкина по вечерам. (Ya lyublyu chitat' russkiye stikhotvoreniya Pushkina po vecheram.)

  I love reading Pushkin's Russian poems in the evenings. (This example shows the word in a casual, appreciative context, highlighting personal enjoyment of literature.)

• Это стихотворение отражает красоту природы. (Eto stikhotvoreniye otrazhaet krasotu prirody.)

  This poem reflects the beauty of nature. (Demonstrates use in descriptive, thematic discussions, common in educational settings.)

• Поэма Лермонта "Демон" считается шедевром русской литературы. (Poema Lermontov "Demon" schitaetsya shedevrom russkoy literatury.)

  Lermontov's poem "The Demon" is considered a masterpiece of Russian literature. (Illustrates the word in a historical or critical context, emphasizing narrative depth.)

• В школьной программе изучают современные стихотворения. (V shkol'noy programme izuchayut sovremennye stikhotvoreniya.)

  In the school curriculum, they study modern poems. (Shows plural form in an educational, plural context.)

• Эта поэма вдохновлена фольклором. (Eta poema vdokhnovlena fol'klorom.)

  This poem is inspired by folklore. (Highlights use in creative or cultural discussions, differentiating from shorter forms.)

Meaning 2: Any creative work in verse, potentially including songs or lyrical pieces.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стихотворение - Informal or broad usage, especially in modern contexts like song lyrics.

Usage Examples:

• Песня превратилась в настоящее стихотворение. (Pesnya prevratilas' v nastoyascheye stikhotvoreniye.)

  The song turned into a real poem. (This example bridges poetry and music, showing metaphorical extension.)

• Его стихотворение о любви стало хитом. (Yego stikhotvoreniye o lyubvi stalo khitom.)

  His poem about love became a hit. (Illustrates contemporary, popular culture usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns. "Стихотворение" is a neuter noun, and "Поэма" is a feminine noun. They follow standard Russian inflection patterns for declension based on case and number.

Note: These are regular inflections. No irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • верлибр (verlibr) - Free verse, with a more modern connotation.
  • баллада (ballada) - Ballad, often narrative like a poem.
  • сонет (sonet) - Sonnet, a specific poetic form; differs by structure.
• Antonyms:
  • проза (proza) - Prose, as it contrasts with verse forms.
  • эссе (esse) - Essay, implying non-poetic, analytical writing.

Related Phrases:

• Стихотворение в прозе (stikhotvoreniye v proze) - Poem in prose; a hybrid form blending poetry and narrative.
• Написать поэму (napisat' poemu) - To write a poem; common in creative writing contexts.
• Классическое стихотворение (klassicheskoye stikhotvoreniye) - Classical poem; refers to works from literary traditions, with a formal tone.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "стихотворение" directly corresponds to "poem" in most literary contexts, but it's more formal than everyday English usage. Choose "поэма" for longer, epic-style poems to match the English nuance. Be aware of grammatical gender: "стихотворение" is neuter, affecting agreements in sentences (e.g., adjectives must agree). In informal speech, Russians might use "стих" (verse) interchangeably, but this is less precise. When translating, consider the context—literary vs. casual—to select the appropriate term.

• Grammar tip: Always inflect based on case; e.g., use genitive for possession like "книги стихотворений" (book of poems).
• Register: Prefer "стихотворение" in academic or written Russian; avoid in casual talk unless discussing art.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "стихотворение" with "стих" (verse), using the latter incorrectly for a full poem. Error: Saying "Я написал стих" instead of "Я написал стихотворение" to mean "I wrote a poem." Correct: "Я написал стихотворение," as "стих" refers to a line or fragment. Another mistake is improper inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases: Error: "О стихотворение" (wrong for "about the poem"); Correct: "О стихотворении" (prepositional case). This stems from English's lack of cases, so practice with examples to internalize.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, poems like "стихотворение" hold deep historical significance, often tied to figures like Pushkin or Lermontov. Poetry is a cornerstone of Russian identity, with events like Poetry Day celebrated annually. Using "поэма" might evoke epic traditions, such as those in folklore, reflecting Russia's rich oral history and national pride.

Related Concepts:

• поэзия (poeziya)
• рифма (rifma)
• метр (metr)