Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rebus'

English Word: rebus

Key Russian Translations:

• ребус [rʲɪˈbus] - [Formal, Used in educational or puzzle contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, games, and educational settings, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding loanwords and basic noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ребус: [rʲɪˈbus]

Note on ребус: The stress is on the second syllable ('bus'), which is common for Russian loanwords from Latin or English. Pay attention to the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A puzzle where words are represented by pictures, symbols, or sounds.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ребус - Used in formal or educational contexts, such as in books or games, to describe a visual word puzzle.

Usage Examples:

• Этот ребус был слишком сложным для детей. (This rebus was too difficult for the children.)

  Translation: This rebus was too difficult for the children.

• В газете опубликовали интересный ребус с картинками. (In the newspaper, they published an interesting rebus with pictures.)

  Translation: In the newspaper, they published an interesting rebus with pictures.

• Ребус помог нам разгадать тайну в игре. (The rebus helped us solve the mystery in the game.)

  Translation: The rebus helped us solve the mystery in the game.

• Она создала ребус, используя символы и слова. (She created a rebus using symbols and words.)

  Translation: She created a rebus using symbols and words.

• В школьном уроке мы решали ребус на английском языке. (In the school lesson, we solved a rebus in English.)

  Translation: In the school lesson, we solved a rebus in English. (This example shows the word in a bilingual context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ребус" is a masculine noun (from Latin via English) and follows the standard third declension pattern in Russian, with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • загадка (puzzle, but more general; used for riddles without visuals)
  • шарада (charade; implies a word-based game, with slight differences in context)
• Antonyms:
  • прямой текст (straight text; implies no puzzle or encoding)

Related Phrases:

• Решить ребус (To solve a rebus) - A common phrase meaning to figure out a puzzle, often used in educational or recreational contexts.
• Создать ребус (To create a rebus) - Refers to designing a visual puzzle, typically for games or tests.
• Ребус с картинками (Rebus with pictures) - Emphasizes visual elements, common in children's books or media.

Usage Notes:

"Ребус" directly corresponds to the English "rebus" as a loanword, making it a straightforward translation for puzzle enthusiasts. It is typically used in formal or semi-formal contexts like education, literature, or games, and rarely in casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like "загадка," opt for "ребус" if the puzzle involves visual symbols. Grammatically, remember its masculine noun status for agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "интересный ребус" for "interesting rebus").

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ребус" interchangeably with "загадка" without considering context. For example, learners might say "Это просто загадка" when describing a visual rebus.

  Correct: Use "ребус" for visual puzzles: "Это ребус с картинками." Explanation: "Загадка" is broader and doesn't imply visuals, leading to potential confusion in precise communication.

• Error: Incorrect declension, such as saying "ребусов" in nominative plural instead of "ребусы."

  Correct: "Ребусы" in nominative plural. Explanation: Follow standard Russian noun declensions to avoid grammatical errors that could make the sentence sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ребус" is often associated with educational games and children's literature, reflecting a historical influence from Western puzzle traditions. It appears in classic Russian books and media, symbolizing intellectual play and creativity, much like in English-speaking cultures.

Related Concepts:

• загадка
• кроссворд (crossword)
• шарада