Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prairies'

English Word: prairies

Key Russian Translations:

• прерии [prʲɪˈrʲiː] - [Formal, Geographical term]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in historical, geographical, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic noun inflections, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прерии: [prʲɪˈrʲiː]

Note on прерии: The pronunciation involves a soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. It is a borrowed word from English/French, so it retains a somewhat foreign feel in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Broad, flat grasslands, often referring to the North American plains.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прерии - Used in formal or academic contexts to describe vast, open grasslands, especially in historical or geographical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русские поселенцы в XIX веке часто переселялись в прерии Северной Америки в поисках новых земель.

  Russian settlers in the 19th century often moved to the prairies of North America in search of new lands.

• Прерии Канады известны своими обширными пшеничными полями и разнообразной фауной.

  The prairies of Canada are known for their vast wheat fields and diverse wildlife.

• В литературе прерии часто изображаются как символ свободы и приключений.

  In literature, the prairies are often depicted as a symbol of freedom and adventure.

• Туристы любят посещать прерии, чтобы увидеть миграцию бизонов.

  Tourists love visiting the prairies to witness the migration of bison.

• Климат в прериях характеризуется экстремальными температурами и сильными ветрами.

  The climate in the prairies is characterized by extreme temperatures and strong winds.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Прерии" is a plural noun borrowed from English/French, and it follows the standard patterns of Russian first-declension nouns. It is typically used in its plural form and inflects according to case and number. Below is a table of its common inflections:

Note: As a borrowed word, it may not always follow strict Russian inflection rules in informal usage, but the above is standard.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • степи (steppes) - More general term for grasslands, often used interchangeably but implies a Eurasian context.
  • равнины (plains) - Refers to flat lands, less specific to grasslands.
• Antonyms:
  • леса (forests) - Areas with dense trees, contrasting with open grasslands.
  • горы (mountains) - Rugged, elevated terrain.

Related Phrases:

• Американские прерии - American prairies; Refers to the vast grasslands of the United States, often in historical contexts.
• Прерии Великих Равнин - Prairies of the Great Plains; A phrase used in geographical descriptions.
• Жизнь в прериях - Life in the prairies; Common in literature or documentaries about frontier living.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "прерии" directly corresponds to the English "prairies" as a borrowed term, making it a precise match for geographical or historical discussions. It is typically used in formal writing or education rather than everyday speech. When choosing between "прерии" and synonyms like "степи," opt for "прерии" when specifically referring to North American contexts to maintain accuracy. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case; as a feminine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreements (e.g., "большая прерия" for "big prairie"). This word is not commonly inflected in casual use, so learners should practice with full sentences to grasp its nuances.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "прерии" with "степи" and using them interchangeably without context. For example, a learner might say "Российские прерии" (Russian prairies) when "Российские степи" is more appropriate for Eurasian grasslands.

  Correct: Use "прерии" only for North American settings. Example: Incorrect - "Прерии России" (Prairies of Russia); Correct - "Степи России" (Steppes of Russia).

  Explanation: "Прерии" is a specific loanword, so misapplying it can lead to geographical inaccuracies.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun in sentences, such as using "в прерии" instead of "в прериях" for plural contexts.

  Correct: Always check the case; e.g., "Я посетил прерии" (I visited the prairies) vs. "О прериях" (About the prairies).

  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

"Прерии" often evokes images of the American Wild West in Russian culture, influenced by literature and films like those of Jack London or Hollywood Westerns. It symbolizes exploration and the pioneer spirit, but in Russian contexts, it may highlight historical migrations or contrasts with Russia's own vast steppes, reflecting themes of cultural exchange and adaptation.

Related Concepts:

• степи
• равнины
• пустыни