Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'river'

English Word: river

Key Russian Translations:

• река /rʲɪˈka/ - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: High (Common in everyday language, literature, and geography discussions in Russian)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun encountered early in Russian language learning)

Pronunciation (Russian):

река: /rʲɪˈka/

Note on река: The initial 'р' is a lightly trilled alveolar sound, and 'е' is pronounced like 'ye' in "yes." Stress falls on the second syllable, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized 'р'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A natural flowing watercourse, such as a stream or large body of water moving towards an ocean, lake, or another river.

Translation(s) & Context:

• река - Used in formal and informal contexts to refer to a natural river, often in geographical, environmental, or everyday descriptions. Context: General use for large rivers like the Volga.

Usage Examples:

• Русская река Волга является одной из самых длинных в Европе.

  The Russian river Volga is one of the longest in Europe.

• Мы часто гуляем вдоль реки в выходные дни.

  We often walk along the river on weekends.

• Река разлилась после сильного дождя, затопив близлежащие поля.

  The river overflowed after heavy rain, flooding the nearby fields.

• В этой реке водятся лосось и форель, что привлекает рыбаков.

  This river is home to salmon and trout, which attracts fishermen.

• Река отделяет два города, образуя естественную границу.

  The river separates two cities, forming a natural boundary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Река" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has variations based on number and grammatical case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is used for multiple rivers or in contexts implying a group. There are no irregular forms for this word, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • речка - A smaller or diminutive form of a river, often used informally for streams or minor waterways.
  • водоток - More technical, referring to any flowing water body, but less common in everyday speech.
• Antonyms:
  • озеро - A lake, which is a standing body of water rather than flowing.
  • море - The sea, implying a much larger and saline body of water.

Related Phrases:

• река Волга - A specific reference to the Volga River; Meaning: Often symbolizes Russian history and culture, used in contexts like tourism or literature.
• полноводная река - A full-flowing river; Meaning: Describes a river with abundant water, commonly in environmental or seasonal discussions.
• река в половодье - River in flood stage; Meaning: Refers to a river during high water periods, useful in weather or disaster-related contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "река" directly corresponds to the English "river" in most contexts, but it is primarily used for natural, flowing water bodies. In formal writing or speech, it's essential to consider the grammatical case for agreement with adjectives or verbs. For example, if the river is the object of a sentence, use the accusative form "реку." English learners should note that Russian has no articles, so "река" can mean "a river" or "the river" based on context. When multiple translations exist, choose "река" for general purposes, but opt for "речка" in informal or diminutive contexts to convey affection or small scale.

• Domain restrictions: More common in geographical or poetic language; avoid in purely urban contexts unless specifying a city river.
• Grammar tip: Always feminine, so adjectives must agree (e.g., "большая река" for "big river").

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the genitive form "реки" (of the river) with the nominative "река," leading to incorrect sentence structures. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я видел река вчера." (Wrong because "река" should be in accusative "реку" as the direct object.)
• Correct: "Я видел реку вчера." (Translation: "I saw the river yesterday.") Explanation: In Russian, direct objects require the accusative case.
• Another common error is overusing the plural form; for instance, saying "реки" when referring to a single river, which can imply multiple rivers unnecessarily.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rivers like the Volga (Волга) hold deep historical and symbolic significance, often representing the nation's vastness and resilience in literature and folk songs. For example, many Russian poems and songs romanticize rivers as lifelines for communities, reflecting themes of journey and endurance. This cultural connotation can add emotional depth when using words like "река" in conversations about Russian heritage.

Related Concepts:

• озеро (lake)
• море (sea)
• река и озеро (river and lake systems)