Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sea'

English Word: sea

Key Russian Translations:

• море [ˈmorʲɪ] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is one of the most common nouns in Russian, frequently encountered in literature, conversations, and media.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic vocabulary item with straightforward usage, suitable for early learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

море: [ˈmorʲɪ]

Note on море: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'р' is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A large body of saltwater partially enclosed by land

Translation(s) & Context:

• море - Used in general, neutral contexts to describe oceans or seas, such as in travel, geography, or casual conversation (e.g., discussing vacations or weather).

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю гулять у моря в летние вечера.

  I love walking by the sea on summer evenings.

• Море в этом регионе часто штормит зимой.

  The sea in this region often storms in winter.

• Дети построили замок из песка на берегу моря.

  The children built a sandcastle on the seashore.

• Путешествие по морю было волнующим приключением.

  The sea voyage was an exciting adventure.

• Море отражает небо, создавая красивый пейзаж.

  The sea reflects the sky, creating a beautiful landscape.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Море is a neuter noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. As a singular noun, it does not have plural forms in most contexts, but it can be pluralized as "моря" for multiple bodies of water. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is invariant in terms of gender and does not change for adjectives in the nominative singular, but adjectives must agree in case and number in other forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • водоём (vodoem) - More general term for any body of water; used in broader contexts like lakes or reservoirs.
  • океан (okean) - Specifically for larger seas or oceans, with a connotation of vastness.
• Antonyms:
  • суша (susha) - Refers to land, contrasting with water bodies in geographical discussions.

Related Phrases:

• у моря (u morya) - Meaning: By the sea; used to describe locations near coastal areas, e.g., in vacation contexts.
• на море (na more) - Meaning: At sea or to the sea; often refers to traveling or being on a body of water.
• море-океан (more-okean) - Meaning: Sea-ocean; a poetic or emphatic phrase for vast waters, sometimes used in literature.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "море" directly corresponds to the English "sea" as a neuter noun, and it is versatile for both literal and metaphorical uses (e.g., "море людей" meaning "a sea of people"). Be mindful of case agreement: always adjust adjectives and prepositions accordingly, such as in prepositional phrases like "на море". For English speakers, note that Russian does not distinguish between "sea" and "ocean" as precisely, so context determines the best translation. If multiple translations exist, choose based on specificity—use "море" for enclosed waters and "океан" for open ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "море" with "река" (river) due to similar water-related contexts. Incorrect: "Я увидел море в городе" when meaning a river. Correct: "Я увидел реку в городе". Explanation: "Море" implies a large saltwater body, while "река" is for freshwater flows; this mix-up often occurs among beginners unfamiliar with Russian geographical terms.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using nominative "море" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Книга о море" (should be correct, but in dative: "Идти к морю" as "морю"). Correct: Ensure proper declension based on sentence structure. Explanation: Russian requires strict case agreement, which English lacks, leading to grammatical errors in complex sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "море" often evokes images of relaxation and adventure, particularly along the Black Sea or Baltic Sea coasts, which are popular vacation spots like Sochi. Historically, the sea symbolizes vastness and opportunity in Russian literature (e.g., in works by Pushkin), but it can also represent isolation or danger, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with its maritime borders.

Related Concepts:

• океан (okean)
• река (reka)
• озеро (ozero)
• побережье (poberezhye)