Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prairie'

English Word: prairie

Key Russian Translations:

• степь [ˈstʲepʲ] - [Formal, Geographical term]
• прерия [prʲɪˈrʲijə] - [Less common, Direct borrowing; Informal, Literary or specialized contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Used in discussions of geography, nature, or literature, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and geography vocabulary; For "степь", it's straightforward, but "прерия" may be slightly harder due to its borrowed status)

Pronunciation (Russian):

степь: [ˈstʲepʲ]

прерия: [prʲɪˈrʲijə]

Note on степь: The soft sign (ь) at the end affects the pronunciation, making the 'p' sound softer and palatalized; common in Russian feminine nouns.

Note on прерия: Pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable; this word is a loanword from English/French, so it may vary slightly in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A large, flat or rolling area of grassland, often associated with natural landscapes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• степь - Used in formal geographical, environmental, or historical contexts, such as describing Russian landscapes.
• прерия - Applied in literary or modern contexts, especially when referring to North American prairies or in translated texts.

Usage Examples:

• В России простираются бескрайние степи, где пасутся стада. (In Russia, vast prairies stretch out where herds graze.)

  In Russia, vast prairies stretch out where herds graze.

• Путешественники пересекли прерию, наслаждаясь её дикой красотой. (Travelers crossed the prairie, enjoying its wild beauty.)

  Travelers crossed the prairie, enjoying its wild beauty.

• Степь в летний период покрыта цветами и травой. (The prairie is covered with flowers and grass during the summer period.)

  The prairie is covered with flowers and grass during the summer period.

• В американских прериях обитают бизоны и другие дикие животные. (In American prairies, bison and other wild animals inhabit.)

  In American prairies, bison and other wild animals inhabit.

• Климат степи характеризуется засушливыми зимами и жаркими летами. (The climate of the prairie is characterized by dry winters and hot summers.)

  The climate of the prairie is characterized by dry winters and hot summers.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, e.g., vastness or openness in a metaphorical sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• степь - In poetry or prose, to evoke a sense of endless space or freedom.

Usage Examples:

• Его душа бродит по степи одиночества. (His soul wanders through the prairie of loneliness.)

  His soul wanders through the prairie of loneliness.

• Прерия идей в его уме была полна вдохновения. (The prairie of ideas in his mind was full of inspiration.)

  The prairie of ideas in his mind was full of inspiration.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"степь" is a feminine noun in the third declension, which undergoes regular inflection based on case and number. "прерия" follows similar patterns as a feminine noun but is less commonly inflected due to its borrowed nature.

For "прерия", it inflects similarly: Nominative singular - прерия; Genitive singular - прерии; etc. Note that as a loanword, it may not always follow strict rules in informal use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • равнина (ravnina) - More general term for plain, often interchangeable in flat landscapes.
  • поле (pole) - Used for fields or open areas, with a slight agricultural connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • лес (les) - Forest, representing wooded or enclosed areas.
  • горы (gory) - Mountains, contrasting with flat terrain.

Related Phrases:

• степная зона (stepnaya zona) - Steppe zone; Refers to a geographical belt of grasslands.
• бескрайняя степь (beskraynaya step') - Endless prairie; Used metaphorically for vastness.
• прерии Северной Америки (prerii Severnoy Ameriki) - Prairies of North America; Common in historical or educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Степь" is the most precise and common translation for "prairie" in Russian, especially when discussing Eurasian landscapes, while "прерия" is better for contexts involving North America or direct English influences. Use "степь" in formal or academic settings due to its native status. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as both words are feminine nouns (e.g., "эта степь" - this prairie). When choosing between translations, opt for "степь" in everyday Russian to sound more natural, unless specifying a foreign concept.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "степь" with "степ" (which isn't a word) or overusing "прерия" in non-literary contexts. Correct: Use "степь" for general grassland; e.g., "Я видел степь" (I saw the prairie). Incorrect: "Я видел прерия" (grammatically wrong; should be "прерию" in accusative). Explanation: Russian nouns require proper case endings, so learners must adjust for context.
• Mistake: Failing to inflect properly, e.g., saying "в степ" instead of "в степи". Correct: "В степи" (In the prairie, prepositional case). Explanation: This is a common error for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian declensions, leading to ungrammatical sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "степь" often evokes images of the vast Eurasian steppes, featured in literature like Tolstoy's works or folk songs, symbolizing freedom, hardship, and nomadic life. It contrasts with more forested regions and reflects Russia's historical ties to its southern plains, where Cossacks and nomads roamed.

Related Concepts:

• тундра (tundra)
• тайга (taiga)
• равнина (ravnina)