Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ranch'

English Word: ranch

Key Russian Translations:

• ранчо /ˈranʲt͡ɕo/ - [Informal, used in contexts related to American Western culture or large farms]
• ферма /ˈfʲɛrmə/ - [Formal, more general term for a farm, not specific to ranches]

Frequency: Low (The word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more prevalent in literature, media, or discussions about foreign cultures.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level, as it involves recognizing loanwords from English and basic noun declensions; 'ранчо' may be easier for learners familiar with American English, while 'ферма' is more straightforward.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ранчо: /ˈranʲt͡ɕo/ (The 'ч' sound is a palatalized affricate, similar to the 'ch' in 'church', but softer in Russian.)

ферма: /ˈfʲɛrmə/ (The initial 'ф' is pronounced as a voiceless labiodental fricative, like 'f' in English 'farm'.)

Note on ранчо: Be cautious with the soft 'нʲ' sound, which is a palatalized 'n'—a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large farm, especially in the western United States, typically for raising livestock.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ранчо - Used in informal or cultural contexts when referring specifically to American-style ranches, such as in movies or historical discussions.
• ферма - Applied in more general agricultural contexts, often in formal writing or everyday talk about farming.

Usage Examples:

• Мы провели отпуск на большом ранчо в Техасе, где учились ездить на лошадях.

  We spent our vacation on a large ranch in Texas, where we learned to ride horses.

• Его семья владеет фермой, похожей на ранчо, с тысячами коров.

  His family owns a farm similar to a ranch, with thousands of cows.

• В фильме ковбой живет на ранчо и охраняет скот от волков.

  In the movie, the cowboy lives on a ranch and protects the cattle from wolves.

• Эта ферма превратилась в современное ранчо с туристическими экскурсиями.

  This farm has turned into a modern ranch with tourist tours.

• На ранчо всегда есть работы: от ухода за животными до ремонта заборов.

  On the ranch, there's always work: from taking care of animals to fixing fences.

A metaphorical or extended meaning, referring to a large operation or establishment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ранчо - Informally used in business or metaphorical contexts, e.g., a large company operation.

Usage Examples:

• Его компания — это настоящее ранчо: тысячи сотрудников и обширные проекты.

  His company is a real ranch: thousands of employees and extensive projects.

• В этой корпорации, как на ранчо, каждый день новые вызовы.

  In this corporation, it's like on a ranch—new challenges every day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'ранчо' and 'ферма' are nouns. 'Ранчо' is a neuter noun and follows the standard third declension pattern for loanwords, which often have irregular inflections. 'Ферма' is a feminine noun with regular inflections.

Note: 'Ранчо' is relatively invariable in plural forms due to its status as a loanword, making it easier for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ферма (more general farm, with no cultural connotation)
  • поместье (estate, implying a larger, more luxurious property; used in formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • город (city; implies urban environment, contrasting with rural ranch life)
  • апартаменты (apartment; for small urban dwellings)

Related Phrases:

• Жить на ранчо - To live on a ranch; often used in stories about rural American life.
• Ранчо в Техасе - A ranch in Texas; refers to iconic locations in Western culture.
• Ферма с животными - A farm with animals; a common phrase for agricultural settings.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'ranch' to Russian, choose 'ранчо' for contexts involving American or Western themes to maintain cultural specificity, while 'ферма' is better for general farming discussions. Be aware of gender and case agreements in sentences; for example, 'на ранчо' uses the prepositional case. In formal writing, 'ферма' is preferred due to its neutrality. Learners should note that 'ранчо' is a loanword and may not inflect regularly, making it versatile but potentially confusing in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ранчо' as if it were fully inflected like a native Russian noun, e.g., saying "ранчос" for plural. Correct: Stick to "ранчо" for plural forms to avoid irregularities. Explanation: As a loanword, it often remains unchanged, unlike regular nouns.

• Error: Confusing 'ранчо' with 'ферма' in cultural contexts, e.g., translating "cowboy on a ranch" as "ковбой на ферме". Correct: Use "ковбой на ранчо" to preserve the American essence. Explanation: This can dilute the specific imagery associated with ranches.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'ранчо' in Russian often evokes images of the American Wild West, including cowboys, cattle drives, and frontier life, as popularized by Hollywood films. It carries connotations of independence and rugged individualism, which may not directly translate to Russian rural culture, where collective farming (e.g., kolkhozes) has historical significance.

Related Concepts:

• ковбой (cowboy)
• скот (livestock)
• пустыня (desert, often associated with ranch locations)