Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sailing'

English Word: sailing

Key Russian Translations:

• парусный спорт /pɐˈrusnɨj ˈsport/ - [Formal, used for organized sports or recreational activities]
• плавание под парусом /plɐˈvanʲje pod pɐˈrusəm/ - [Informal, everyday conversation about sailing as an action]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in contexts like sports, travel, or leisure discussions, but not in daily casual talk)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of nautical vocabulary and basic Russian grammar, suitable for learners with some experience)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парусный спорт: /pɐˈrusnɨj ˈsport/ (Stress on the second syllable of "парусный"; the "р" is rolled, common in Russian.)

плавание под парусом: /plɐˈvanʲje pod pɐˈrusəm/ (Note on плавание под парусом: The "в" in "плавание" softens to a "v" sound; pay attention to the vowel reductions in unstressed syllables, typical in Russian speech.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The sport or recreational activity of traveling on water using sails.

Translation(s) & Context:

• парусный спорт - Used in formal contexts like sports events, clubs, or educational discussions about water-based activities.
• плавание под парусом - Applied in informal settings, such as casual conversations about hobbies or adventures.

Usage Examples:

• Я увлекаюсь парусным спортом и часто выхожу в море на своей яхте.

  I am passionate about sailing and often go out to sea on my yacht. (This example shows the noun form in a personal hobby context.)

• В выходные мы занимаемся плаванием под парусом, чтобы насладиться ветром и волнами.

  On weekends, we engage in sailing to enjoy the wind and waves. (Illustrates informal usage in leisure activities.)

• Парусный спорт требует хорошей подготовки и знаний метеорологии.

  Sailing requires good preparation and knowledge of meteorology. (Demonstrates the term in an educational or preparatory context.)

• Дети на летнем лагере учились плаванию под парусом в спокойных водах озера.

  The children at the summer camp learned sailing in the calm waters of the lake. (Shows application in youth or training scenarios.)

• Во время отпуска мы выбрали парусный спорт, чтобы исследовать прибрежные острова.

  During our vacation, we chose sailing to explore the coastal islands. (Highlights travel-related usage.)

Meaning 2: The act of navigating or moving a boat by wind power (as a verb in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• плавание под парусом - Used when describing the action in narratives or instructions, often in informal or descriptive language.

Usage Examples:

• Капитан начал плавание под парусом, когда ветер подул сильнее.

  The captain started sailing when the wind blew stronger. (This example depicts the beginning of an action in a story.)

• Мы предпочитаем плавание под парусом, потому что оно экологически чистое.

  We prefer sailing because it is environmentally friendly. (Shows comparative usage in discussions about preferences.)

• Во время шторма плавание под парусом стало опасным приключением.

  During the storm, sailing turned into a dangerous adventure. (Illustrates usage in challenging conditions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

парусный спорт is a noun phrase where "парусный" is an adjective and "спорт" is a masculine noun. Adjectives in Russian agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. "Спорт" is an indeclinable noun, meaning it does not change forms.

For "парусный" (adjective):

плавание под парусом: "Плавание" is a neuter noun with regular declension, and "парусом" is instrumental case of "парус". It follows standard noun inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • яхтинг (yachting; more specific to luxury or competitive sailing)
  • парусное плавание (sailing navigation; a broader term with slight emphasis on technique)
• Antonyms:
  • моторное плавание (motor boating; implies powered rather than wind-driven travel)

Related Phrases:

• Поднять паруса - To raise the sails; used when starting a sailing trip.
• Парусный спорт в России - Sailing sports in Russia; refers to national or cultural contexts.
• Плыть по ветру - To sail with the wind; an idiomatic expression for going with the flow in life.

Usage Notes:

"Sailing" in English corresponds closely to "парусный спорт" in formal Russian contexts, especially for sports, while "плавание под парусом" is better for everyday actions. Be mindful of the adjective agreement in Russian sentences; for example, use feminine forms if describing a female sailor. In informal speech, Russians might shorten phrases, so "плавание под парусом" could be abbreviated in casual talk. Choose the translation based on context: opt for "парусный спорт" in educational or official settings.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "парус" alone to mean "sailing," which actually just means "sail."
  Correct: Say "парусный спорт" for the full activity.
  Explanation: "Парус" is a noun for the physical sail, not the sport, leading to confusion in context.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "парусный спорт" with a feminine noun.
  Correct: Adjust to "парусная яхта" for a feminine noun like яхта (yacht).
  Explanation: Russian requires gender agreement, which English learners often overlook, resulting in grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, sailing has historical ties to naval traditions, especially in places like the Baltic Sea or Black Sea regions. It's often associated with adventure and exploration, echoing Russia's vast waterways and literary works like those of Ivan Goncharov, who described seafaring in his novel "The Frigate Pallada." This cultural backdrop adds a sense of romance and resilience to the term.

Related Concepts:

• яхта (yacht)
• ветер (wind)
• мореходство (seafaring)