Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rabbit'

English Word: rabbit

Key Russian Translations:

• кролик [ˈkrolʲɪk] - [Neutral, commonly used for domestic rabbits in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is moderately common in everyday Russian, especially in contexts related to animals, pets, or wildlife, but not as ubiquitous as basic nouns like "дом" (house).)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward as a basic masculine noun, easy for English learners to grasp due to its simple phonetic structure and regular inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кролик: [ˈkrolʲɪk]

Note on кролик: The stress is on the first syllable. The "р" is a trilled 'r', which may be challenging for English speakers; practice with a native speaker for accuracy. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The animal (mammal, referring to a rabbit, often domestic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кролик - Used in general contexts for rabbits as pets, in agriculture, or in wildlife descriptions. It is neutral and applies to both wild and domesticated rabbits, though "заяц" (hare) is sometimes contrasted for wild varieties.

Usage Examples:

• У меня есть кролик, он очень игривый.

  I have a rabbit; it's very playful. (This example shows the noun in a possessive context, describing a pet.)

• В лесу мы видели кролика, бегущего по полю.

  In the forest, we saw a rabbit running through the field. (Demonstrates use in a wildlife or narrative setting.)

• Кролик в зоопарке был самым популярным животным.

  The rabbit at the zoo was the most popular animal. (Illustrates use in a public or educational context.)

• Дети кормят кролика морковью в саду.

  The children are feeding the rabbit carrots in the garden. (Shows the noun with verbs in an interactive scenario.)

• Этот кролик родился на ферме и теперь живет у нас дома.

  This rabbit was born on a farm and now lives with us at home. (Highlights biographical or transitional contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кролик" is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural forms are regular and do not have irregularities. This noun does not change in gender or have verbal inflections, as it is not a verb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: заяц (hare; similar but often implies wilder, faster animals; used in contexts like folklore or hunting)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "кролик" is a specific animal term. However, in broader contexts, predators like волк (wolf) could be contrasted in animal hierarchies.

Related Phrases:

• Кролик в шапке - A rabbit in a hat (refers to a magic trick; often used in entertainment or children's contexts; literal translation: "rabbit in a hat").
• Домашний кролик - Domestic rabbit (common phrase for pet rabbits; implies a tame, household animal; literal translation: "home rabbit").
• Кролик-убежище - Rabbit burrow (used in discussions of animal behavior; literal translation: "rabbit-shelter").

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "кролик" directly corresponds to the English "rabbit" but is more commonly associated with domesticated varieties, whereas "заяц" is used for hares. Use "кролик" in neutral, everyday contexts like talking about pets or farms. It is gender-neutral in practice but grammatically masculine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "большой кролик" for "big rabbit"). Beginners should note that Russian nouns require case inflections, which can affect sentence structure compared to English. When choosing between translations, opt for "кролик" for general purposes and avoid it in formal scientific texts where Latin terms might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "кролик" with "заяц" and using them interchangeably. For example, an English learner might say "Я видел зайца в саду" when meaning a pet rabbit.
  Correct: Use "кролик" for rabbits: "Я видел кролика в саду" (I saw a rabbit in the garden). Explanation: "Заяц" specifically means hare and implies a wild animal, leading to contextual misunderstandings.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, such as using the nominative "кролик" in all positions (e.g., "Я думаю о кролик" instead of "Я думаю о кролике").
  Correct: Adjust for genitive: "Я думаю о кролике" (I am thinking about the rabbit). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so learners must memorize basic declensions to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rabbits like "кролик" often appear in folklore and children's stories, such as in tales from authors like Leo Tolstoy, symbolizing innocence or trickery. They are also featured in Easter traditions (influenced by Western customs), where chocolate rabbits are popular, blending with Orthodox celebrations. This reflects a broader Slavic affinity for animal motifs in literature and art, helping to convey moral lessons.

Related Concepts:

• заяц (hare)
• кролиководство (rabbit breeding)
• лесные животные (forest animals)