Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rooster'

English Word: rooster

Key Russian Translations:

• петух [pʲɪˈtux] - [Informal, Common noun for male chicken]
• кочет [ˈkot͡ɕɪt] - [Formal or regional variant, often used in rural contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in everyday conversations, especially in contexts related to animals or rural life, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" for "house".)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; The vocabulary is straightforward for new learners, as it involves basic noun forms and is commonly introduced early in Russian language courses.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

петух: [pʲɪˈtux]

кочет: [ˈkot͡ɕɪt]

Note on петух: The initial "п" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft "p" followed by a "y" glide. Pronounce it with emphasis on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A male domestic chicken, often associated with crowing at dawn.

Translation(s) & Context:

• петух - Used in everyday, informal contexts, such as describing farm animals or in children's stories.
• кочет - Applied in more formal or literary settings, emphasizing a rooster's role in a flock.

Usage Examples:

• В саду поёт петух на рассвете.

  In the garden, the rooster crows at dawn. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its role in a natural setting.)

• Крестьянин кормит кочета и кур.

  The farmer feeds the rooster and the hens. (Here, the word is used in a plural context with other animals, demonstrating basic sentence structure.)

• Петух в деревне всегда встаёт первым.

  The rooster in the village always wakes up first. (This illustrates the word in a proverbial or idiomatic expression about early rising.)

• Дети нарисовали кочета для школьного проекта.

  The children drew a rooster for their school project. (Example in a creative or educational context, showing the word with definite articles implicitly.)

• В русской сказке петух спасает друзей от волка.

  In the Russian folktale, the rooster saves his friends from the wolf. (This demonstrates the word in a narrative context, common in cultural stories.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "петух" and "кочет" are masculine nouns in Russian, belonging to the second declension. They follow standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for cases and numbers. "Петух" is more commonly used and has straightforward changes, while "кочет" is similar but less frequent.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them easy for beginners to learn.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кочет - A regional synonym with a slightly more formal connotation, often implying a leader among chickens.
  • гребенчатый петух - Literally "crested rooster," used in specific descriptive contexts but less common.
• Antonyms:
  • курица - Refers to a hen or female chicken, contrasting the gender aspect.
  • цыплёнок - Means "chick," implying youth rather than a direct opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Петух на насесте - "Rooster on the roost" (A phrase used to describe something in its proper place, often metaphorically in everyday speech.)
• Курятник с петухом - "Henhouse with a rooster" (Refers to a complete farm setup, implying protection or family dynamics.)
• Петь как петух - "To crow like a rooster" (An idiomatic expression for making a loud, attention-seeking noise.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "петух" directly corresponds to the English "rooster" in most contexts, but it's more commonly used in informal or rural settings. Choose "кочет" for formal writing or when emphasizing traditional or literary tones. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; for example, adjectives and verbs must align with the masculine noun form. This word rarely appears in business or urban slang, so it's ideal for topics like agriculture or folklore.

• Always use the appropriate case based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.
• When translating from English, ensure the context specifies "male" chicken, as "курица" might be mistakenly used otherwise.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "петух" with "курица" (hen), leading to gender mismatches. For example:

• Incorrect: "Я видел курица в саду" (Wrongly using feminine "курица" for a male bird).
• Correct: "Я видел петуха в саду" (Proper use of masculine "петух").
• Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so always check the word's ending and context to select the right form; this prevents basic errors in declension.

Another common mistake is mispronouncing the palatalized "п" in "петух," which might sound like a hard "p" to non-native speakers, altering the word's meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the rooster ("петух") symbolizes vigilance and the start of a new day, often featured in folktales like those of Ivan the Fool, where it plays a heroic role. Historically, roosters were kept for crowing to signal time in rural villages before modern clocks, embedding them in traditions like Easter celebrations or as motifs in folk art.

Related Concepts:

• курица (hen)
• цыплёнок (chick)
• ферма (farm)
• сельская жизнь (rural life)