Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scree'

English Word: scree

Key Russian Translations:

• осыпь /ɐˈsɨpʲ/ - [Formal]
• скальный обвал /ˈskalʲnɨj ɐbˈval/ - [Technical, used in geological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and appears primarily in geological, outdoor, or academic discussions, not everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to geography, but not overly complex for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осыпь: /ɐˈsɨpʲ/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a back unrounded vowel, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on осыпь: Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) at the end, which palatalizes the preceding consonant but doesn't affect the vowel sound directly.

скальный обвал: /ˈskalʲnɨj ɐbˈval/ (Stress on the first syllable of each word; the 'лʲ' indicates a palatalized 'l', common in Russian adjectives.)

Note on скальный обвал: This compound term has a rolling 'р' in "обвал" if spoken naturally, which might require practice for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A loose accumulation of broken rock fragments at the base of a cliff or down a mountain slope (Geological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осыпь - Used in formal descriptions of mountain terrain, such as in hiking guides or scientific reports.
• скальный обвал - Applied in technical or safety-related contexts, like rock climbing or environmental studies, to emphasize instability.

Usage Examples:

• На склоне горы образовалась осыпь, которая сделала путь опасным для туристов.

  On the mountain slope, a scree formed, making the path dangerous for tourists.

• После дождя скальный обвал заблокировал тропу в национальном парке.

  After the rain, a rock scree blocked the trail in the national park.

• Геологи изучают осыпь, чтобы понять эрозию в этом регионе.

  Geologists are studying the scree to understand erosion in this region.

• В горах часто встречаются скальные обвалы, требующие осторожности при подъёме.

  In the mountains, rock screes are often encountered, requiring caution during ascent.

• Осыпь у подножия скалы представляет собой типичный пример естественной геологической формации.

  The scree at the base of the cliff is a typical example of a natural geological formation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Осыпь" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

"Скальный обвал" is a noun phrase where "скальный" is an adjective (declines with the noun) and "обвал" is a masculine noun. "Обвал" inflects as follows (singular only, as it's often used in singular form):

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners once basic patterns are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: обвал (obval) - Similar but more general; used for any rockfall. лавина (lavina) - Often implies a larger scale, though not exact.
• глыбы (glyby) - Refers to larger rock pieces in a pile.
• Antonyms: стабильный склон (stabil'nyj sklon) - Not a direct antonym, but implies a stable slope without loose rocks.

Related Phrases:

• Горная осыпь (Gornya osyp') - Mountain scree; a common phrase in hiking and geography, referring to scree in alpine areas.
• Скальный обвал на тропе (Skalnyj obval na trope) - Rock scree on the trail; used in safety warnings or adventure contexts.
• Осыпь из гранита (Osyp' iz granita) - Scree made of granite; specifies the rock type in geological descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Осыпь" directly corresponds to "scree" in English and is the most precise translation for natural, loose rock accumulations. Use it in formal or technical writing, but avoid in casual conversation as it's not common. "Скальный обвал" emphasizes danger or movement, so choose it when describing unstable areas. Grammatically, ensure adjectives like "скальный" agree in case, number, and gender with the noun. For English learners, remember that Russian nouns require declension based on sentence role, which can affect word endings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осыпь" interchangeably with "обвал" without context. Correct: "Осыпь" refers to static accumulations, while "обвал" implies an event. Example of error: "Обвал на горе" when meaning a settled pile (should be "осыпь на горе"). Explanation: This confuses static and dynamic geological features, leading to miscommunication in descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In "Я увидел осыпь" (I saw the scree), it's fine, but in "Я видел осыпь" with a preposition, it should be "Я видел осыпью" if instrumental. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, resulting in grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, terms like "осыпь" often appear in descriptions of the vast Siberian or Caucasian landscapes, symbolizing the harshness of nature. For instance, in works by authors like Chekhov or modern travelogues, these features highlight the challenges of exploration, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on rugged geography and survival themes.

Related Concepts:

• скала (skala) - Rock or cliff.
• эрозия (eroziya) - Erosion.
• лавина (lavina) - Avalanche.