Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quail'

English Word: quail

Key Russian Translations:

• перепел [pʲɪrʲɪˈpʲeɫ] - [Noun, Formal, Singular; used in contexts related to wildlife, hunting, or cuisine]
• сжаться [sʲʐaˈtɕːə] - [Verb, Informal; used to describe flinching or cowering in fear]

Frequency: Medium (e.g., "перепел" is commonly encountered in everyday language related to nature, while "сжаться" appears in literary or emotional contexts, but not as frequently as basic verbs).

Difficulty: A1 for "перепел" (beginner level, as it's a basic noun); B1 for "сжаться" (intermediate, due to its use in descriptive or emotional language and verb conjugation rules).

Pronunciation (Russian):

перепел: [pʲɪrʲɪˈpʲeɫ]

сжаться: [sʲʐaˈtɕːə]

Note on перепел: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. The 'пʲ' indicates palatalization.

Note on сжаться: This verb has a soft 'ж' sound; practice the 'щ' cluster for accuracy. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small game bird of the pheasant family, often hunted or farmed.

Translation(s) & Context:

• перепел - Used in formal or everyday contexts discussing wildlife, cooking, or ecology; common in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу часто можно увидеть перепела, которые прячутся в кустах.

  In the forest, you can often see quail hiding in the bushes.

• Перепел — это популярная дичь для охотников в осенний сезон.

  Quail is a popular game bird for hunters during the autumn season.

• В ресторане подают блюдо из жареного перепела с овощами.

  The restaurant serves a dish of roasted quail with vegetables.

• Дети наблюдали за перепелом в зоопарке, изучая его повадки.

  The children observed the quail at the zoo, studying its behavior.

2. To flinch, cower, or shrink back in fear or hesitation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сжаться - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe a physical or emotional reaction to fear; often in narratives or descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• При виде грозного пса собака сжалась в комок от страха.

  At the sight of the fierce dog, the other dog quailed and shrank into a ball from fear.

• Под шквальным огнем солдаты сжались, ожидая команды.

  Under heavy fire, the soldiers quailed, huddling and waiting for orders.

• Она сжалась, услышав внезапный громкий шум в темноте.

  She quailed at the sudden loud noise in the darkness.

• В критический момент он не сжался, а встал на защиту друзей.

  In the critical moment, he didn't quail but stood up to defend his friends.

• Ребенок сжался за спиной матери во время грозы.

  The child quailed behind his mother's back during the storm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "перепел" (a masculine noun in the second declension):

For "сжаться" (a reflexive verb, imperfective aspect):

It follows standard verb conjugation patterns. Example in present tense:

• Я сжимаюсь (I quail)
• Ты сжимаешься (You quail, singular informal)
• Он/Она сжимается (He/She quails)
• Мы сжимаемся (We quail)
• Вы сжимаетесь (You quail, plural or formal)
• Они сжимаются (They quail)

Note: This verb is irregular in some aspects due to its reflexive form (-ся), but it doesn't change drastically across tenses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for перепел: куропатка (quail-like bird, but more specific to partridge), пташка (general term for small bird; less precise, used informally).
• Synonyms for сжаться: вжаться (to press oneself against something), вздрогнуть (to flinch suddenly; differs by implying a quick reaction).
• Antonyms for сжаться: распрямиться (to straighten up, showing courage).

Related Phrases:

• Охотиться на перепела - Hunting quail; used in contexts of outdoor activities or sports.
• Сжаться от холода - To quail from the cold; describes physical reactions in weather-related scenarios.
• Перепелиное яйцо - Quail egg; a common phrase in culinary discussions, often implying delicacy.

Usage Notes:

"Перепел" directly corresponds to the English "quail" as a noun and is neutral in tone, suitable for formal and informal use. For the verb "to quail," "сжаться" is a close match but carries a more physical connotation; choose it for situations involving visible fear. Be aware of Russian's grammatical gender—e.g., "перепел" is masculine, affecting adjectives and verbs. In spoken Russian, context is key to avoid confusion between literal and metaphorical uses.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "перепел" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "охота на перепел" instead of "охота на перепела" (genitive). Correct: "Охота на перепела" means "hunting quail." Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; English speakers often overlook case endings.
• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle in "сжаться," saying "сжать" (which means "to squeeze"). Correct: Use "сжаться" for reflexive action. Explanation: This changes the meaning entirely, so always include "-ся" for self-referential verbs.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "перепел" (quail) often appears in folklore and traditional cuisine, symbolizing resourcefulness in rural life. For instance, quail eggs are a delicacy in Russian festivals, representing abundance. The verb "сжаться" might evoke themes in literature, like in Tolstoy's works, where characters quail in moments of existential fear, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on emotional depth.

Related Concepts:

• куропатка (partridge)
• вздрогнуть (to shudder)
• охота (hunting)