Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'robin'

English Word: robin

Key Russian Translations:

• дрозд [ˈdrozɨ] - [Common, refers to the bird species, typically informal or neutral in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'дрозд' is commonly used in nature-related discussions, literature, and casual conversations about wildlife, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward for English learners of Russian, as it involves basic noun forms and pronunciation, though the specific bird reference may require contextual familiarity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дрозд: [ˈdrozɨ]

Note on дрозд: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'з' sound is a voiced alveolar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers accustomed to similar 'z' sounds. Variations in regional accents might soften the vowel slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small bird with a red breast, often associated with gardens and springtime.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дрозд - Used in contexts describing wildlife, ornithology, or everyday observations of nature, particularly in European or North American settings when referring to the robin species.

Usage Examples:

• В саду поёт дрозд, приветствуя утро. (In the garden, the robin is singing, welcoming the morning.)

  English Translation: In the garden, the robin is singing, welcoming the morning. (This example shows the word in a poetic, descriptive context.)

• Дрозд гнездится в кустах у дома. (The robin nests in the bushes near the house.)

  English Translation: The robin nests in the bushes near the house. (Illustrates usage in a factual, observational sentence.)

• Каждую весну мы видим дроздов в парке. (Every spring, we see robins in the park.)

  English Translation: Every spring, we see robins in the park. (Demonstrates plural form in a seasonal context.)

• Дрозд — символ весны в британской культуре. (The robin is a symbol of spring in British culture.)

  English Translation: The robin is a symbol of spring in British culture. (Shows usage in cultural or metaphorical discussions.)

• Мой дедушка кормит дроздов зимой. (My grandfather feeds robins in the winter.)

  English Translation: My grandfather feeds robins in the winter. (Example in a personal, narrative context with verb interaction.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Дрозд' is a masculine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflections. It does not have irregularities but changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: As a common noun, it inflects regularly without exceptions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пташка (ptashka) - A general term for a small bird, often used in informal or affectionate contexts.
  • воробей (vorobey) - Sometimes used loosely for small birds, but less accurate; implies a sparrow-like bird.
• Antonyms:
  • хищник (khishchnik) - Refers to predators, contrasting with small, harmless birds like the robin.

Related Phrases:

• Дрозд поёт (Drozhd poyot) - Meaning: The robin is singing. (Common phrase in descriptions of nature or poetry.)
• Корм для дроздов (Korm dlya drozhdov) - Meaning: Feed for robins. (Used in contexts of bird feeding or wildlife care.)
• Дрозд в саду (Drozhd v sadu) - Meaning: Robin in the garden. (A simple phrase for everyday observations.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'дрозд' directly corresponds to the English 'robin' when referring to the bird species, but it's more general and can encompass similar birds in Slavic contexts. Use it in neutral or informal settings; avoid in highly formal scientific writing where 'американский дрозд' might be preferred for specificity. Grammatically, ensure correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions, as Russian nouns inflect based on sentence role. When choosing among translations, 'дрозд' is the most straightforward for everyday use.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'дрозд' interchangeably with 'воробей' (sparrow), assuming all small birds are the same. Correct: 'Дрозд' specifically means robin, while 'воробей' means sparrow. Example of error: "Я видел воробья в саду" when meaning robin; Correct: "Я видел дрозда в саду". This mistake arises from overgeneralization of bird vocabulary.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun, e.g., saying "Я кормлю дрозд" instead of "Я кормлю дрозда" in accusative case. Correct: Always adjust for case, as in "Я увидел дрозда" (I saw the robin). Explanation: Russian requires case changes, which English learners often overlook due to English's lack of inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the robin ('дрозд') is often associated with spring and renewal, similar to its symbolism in British folklore. It appears in Russian literature and folk tales as a harbinger of warmer weather, reflecting themes of hope and nature's cycle, though it's not as culturally iconic in Russia as in Western Europe.

Related Concepts:

• воробей (sparrow)
• ласточка (swallow)
• птица (bird, general term)