Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'serpent'

English Word: serpent

Key Russian Translations:

• змея /zʲˈmʲe.jə/ - [Formal, Literary; Used in contexts involving mythology or metaphorical descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and formal writing, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Involves understanding noun declensions and metaphorical usage, which requires familiarity with Russian grammar and idioms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

змея: /zʲˈmʲe.jə/

Note on змея: The initial "з" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a "z" followed by a soft "y" glide. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long, legless reptile, often venomous or associated with danger

Translation(s) & Context:

• змея - Used in literal, zoological, or descriptive contexts, such as in nature, wildlife discussions, or stories.

Usage Examples:

• В джунглях мы увидели огромную змею, которая ползла по земле.

  In the jungle, we saw a huge serpent crawling on the ground.

• Змея в саду напугала детей, и они побежали к дому.

  The serpent in the garden scared the children, and they ran to the house.

• Учёные изучают ядовитую змею в лаборатории для разработки противоядия.

  Scientists are studying the poisonous serpent in the lab to develop an antidote.

• Змея свернулась в кольцо, чтобы защититься от холода.

  The serpent coiled up to protect itself from the cold.

Meaning 2: A treacherous or deceitful person, often in a metaphorical or literary sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• змея - Employed metaphorically in literature, politics, or interpersonal descriptions to imply cunning or betrayal.

Usage Examples:

• В политике он был известен как змея, всегда готовый предать союзников.

  In politics, he was known as a serpent, always ready to betray his allies.

• Её слова звучали как шипение змеи, полное обмана и лжи.

  Her words sounded like the hiss of a serpent, full of deception and lies.

• Змея в семье – это тот, кто сеет раздор и разрушает доверие.

  A serpent in the family is someone who sows discord and destroys trust.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"змея" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its declensions:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes with case as shown. No irregular forms are present.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гадюка (more specific to vipers, implying greater danger)
  • ползучая тварь (informal, derogatory term for a creeping creature or person)
• Antonyms:
  • друг (friend; contrasts with the treacherous connotation)
  • спаситель (savior; opposes the idea of danger or deceit)

Related Phrases:

• Ядовитая змея - Poisonous serpent; Used in contexts of wildlife or warnings about danger.
• Змея в траве - Serpent in the grass; A metaphor for hidden threats or betrayal, similar to the English idiom.
• Обвиться змеёй - To coil like a serpent; Refers to wrapping around something, often figuratively for entrapment.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "змея" directly corresponds to "serpent" in its literal sense, often carrying a connotation of mystery or peril, which aligns with English literary usage. In metaphorical contexts, it's more formal and literary, so prefer it in written narratives rather than casual speech. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; "змея" is feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "змея ползёт" – the serpent crawls). When choosing between translations, use "змея" for general serpents and "гадюка" for venomous ones. In modern Russian, this word is versatile but avoid it in polite conversation about people to prevent offense.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "змея" as a masculine noun and using incorrect adjective agreement, e.g., saying "большой змея" instead of "большая змея". Correct: "большая змея" (big serpent). Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and "змея" is feminine, so modifiers must match.

• Error: Overusing the metaphorical sense without context, e.g., translating "He's a serpent" as "Он змея" without articles or proper structure. Correct: "Он – змея" or better, "Он как змея" for clarity. Explanation: In Russian, metaphors often require comparative phrases for natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "змея" often symbolizes deceit or temptation, drawing from folklore like Slavic myths where snakes represent cunning creatures, similar to the biblical serpent in Eden. This makes it a common motif in Russian literature (e.g., in Pushkin's works), reflecting themes of danger and wisdom, which can add depth to translations in historical or artistic contexts.

Related Concepts:

• ящерица (lizard)
• дракон (dragon)
• гад (reptile or vermin, often derogatory)