Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ravine'

English Word: ravine

Key Russian Translations:

• ущелье /uˈʂːelʲjɛ/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in geographical or descriptive contexts]
• овраг /ɐˈvrax/ - [Informal, Plural possible, Often used in everyday or rural descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, geography, or travel contexts, but not in daily casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and cases, with "ущелье" being slightly more challenging due to its less frequent use compared to "овраг")

Pronunciation (Russian):

ущелье: /uˈʂːelʲjɛ/ (The 'щ' sound is a voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'she' but more palatalized; stress on the second syllable)

овраг: /ɐˈvrax/ (The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, like the 'g' in Scottish 'loch'; stress on the second syllable)

Note on ущелье: Be cautious with the palatalization of 'л' in some dialects, which can make it sound softer; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A deep, narrow valley or gorge formed by erosion, often in mountainous areas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ущелье - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe natural landscapes, such as in hiking or geological discussions.
• овраг - Applied in informal settings, like rural or everyday descriptions of smaller, man-made or natural depressions.

Usage Examples:

• В горах есть глубокое ущелье, где река протекает сквозь скалы.

  In the mountains, there is a deep ravine where the river flows through the rocks.

• Мы прошли через овраг, чтобы сократить путь к деревне.

  We went through the ravine to shorten the path to the village.

• Ущелье в этом районе привлекает туристов своей красотой и опасностью.

  The ravine in this area attracts tourists with its beauty and danger.

• После дождя овраг заполнился водой, превратившись в временный ручей.

  After the rain, the ravine filled with water, turning into a temporary stream.

• Гид объяснил, как образовалось ущелье миллионы лет назад.

  The guide explained how the ravine was formed millions of years ago.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "ущелье" and "овраг" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. "Ущелье" is less common and can be irregular in some contexts, while "овраг" is more straightforward.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree in case with prepositions and verbs in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пропасть (/prɐˈpasʲtʲ/) - Similar to a deep abyss, often with a connotation of danger.
  • расщелина (/rɐsˈɕelʲɪnə/) - A narrower cleft or fissure, used in geological contexts; differs from ущелье by implying a crack rather than a valley.
• Antonyms:
  • плато (/plɐˈto/) - A flat, elevated area, contrasting with the depth of a ravine.
  • равнина (/rɐvˈnʲinə/) - A plain or flatland, emphasizing the opposite of rugged terrain.

Related Phrases:

• ущелье рек - River ravine; a phrase used to describe valleys carved by rivers, often in tourism.
• глубокий овраг - Deep ravine; common in narratives about rural landscapes or adventures.
• спуститься в ущелье - To descend into the ravine; implies exploration or danger in outdoor activities.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "ущелье" is the more precise equivalent to "ravine" in formal English contexts, such as geography or literature, while "овраг" is better for informal or everyday use. Always consider the context: use "ущелье" for natural, dramatic features and "овраг" for smaller, possibly man-made ones. Grammatically, these nouns require case agreement, so pair them with appropriate prepositions (e.g., в ущелье for "in the ravine"). For English learners, choose "ущелье" when translating directly from poetic or scientific texts, but opt for "овраг" in conversational Russian to sound more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ущелие" (incorrect form) instead of "ущелье". Correct: Always use "ущелье" as the standard nominative form. Explanation: This misspelling comes from confusing it with similar words; stick to proper declension to avoid sounding uneducated.

• Error: Treating "овраг" as masculine instead of neuter, e.g., saying "оврага" in nominative. Correct: Use "овраг" in nominative singular. Explanation: Russian nouns have fixed genders, and mixing them up can lead to grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ravines like those in the Caucasus Mountains (e.g., "ущелье Дарьяла") often appear in folklore and literature as symbols of adventure, danger, or natural beauty, as seen in works by authors like Mikhail Lermontov. They represent the ruggedness of Russia's landscapes and are tied to themes of exploration and national identity.

Related Concepts:

• каньон
• гора
• долина