Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shark'

English Word: shark

Key Russian Translations:

• акула [ɐˈkulə] - [Informal, Commonly used for the animal; can also imply a predatory person in metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is frequently encountered in everyday conversations about marine life, wildlife documentaries, or metaphorical uses in media, but not as common as basic vocabulary like "fish").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; the word is straightforward for new learners, but understanding its metaphorical uses may require A2 level context).

Pronunciation (Russian):

акула: [ɐˈkulə]

Note on акула: The stress is on the second syllable ("ку"). Pronunciation can vary slightly in regional dialects, such as in southern Russia where the "a" sounds might be more open, but [ɐˈkulə] is standard. Pay attention to the soft "л" sound, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large predatory fish found in oceans.

Translation(s) & Context:

• акула - Used in literal marine or wildlife contexts, such as describing sea creatures in educational or adventurous settings.

Usage Examples:

• В океане плавает большая акула.

  A large shark is swimming in the ocean. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing its role in describing marine life.)

• Акула атаковала пловца у побережья.

  The shark attacked the swimmer near the shore. (Illustrates the noun in an action-oriented context, highlighting potential danger.)

• В музее есть экспонат акулы, пойманной в Тихом океане.

  In the museum, there is an exhibit of a shark caught in the Pacific Ocean. (Demonstrates usage in educational or descriptive contexts.)

• Морские биологи изучают поведение акул в их естественной среде.

  Marine biologists study the behavior of sharks in their natural habitat. (Shows the plural form in a scientific discussion.)

2. Metaphorical meaning: A ruthless or predatory person (e.g., in business or finance).

Translation(s) & Context:

• акула - Used informally in figurative language, often in contexts like finance, politics, or crime, to describe someone aggressive or exploitative.

Usage Examples:

• Этот бизнесмен — настоящая акула на рынке.

  This businessman is a real shark in the market. (This example uses the metaphor in a business context to imply cunning and ruthlessness.)

• Не доверяй ей; она акула в переговорах.

  Don't trust her; she's a shark in negotiations. (Illustrates informal usage in interpersonal warnings.)

• Акулы финансового мира часто рискуют чужими деньгами.

  Sharks of the financial world often risk other people's money. (Shows the word in a plural, metaphorical sense in economic discussions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Акула" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a declension table for clarity:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender (always feminine), but its endings change regularly as shown. If used metaphorically for a person, it retains the same inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хищник (khishchnik) - More general term for a predator; often used in animal contexts but can be metaphorical.
  • волк (volk) - Implies a wolf-like predator; used metaphorically for aggressive individuals, with a slight nuance of stealth.
• Antonyms:
  • травоядное (travoyadnoye) - Refers to herbivores; highlights non-predatory nature in animal contexts.
  • мирный (mirnyy) - Means peaceful; used as an adjective for non-aggressive entities.

Related Phrases:

• белая акула - Great white shark; a specific type of shark, often used in discussions about dangerous marine animals.
• акула бизнеса - Shark of business; a metaphorical phrase for a ruthless entrepreneur, emphasizing competitive edge in professional settings.
• плавать как акула - To swim like a shark; used idiomatically to describe efficient or predatory movement in water or metaphorically in life.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation "акула" directly corresponds to the English "shark" in both literal and figurative senses, but English speakers should note that in Russian, the metaphorical use (e.g., for a person) is more informal and context-dependent. It's commonly used in spoken language or media, but in formal writing, opt for more precise terms like "хищник". Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender (e.g., "большая акула" for "big shark"). When choosing between translations, use "акула" for vivid, everyday descriptions, but avoid it in scientific contexts where more specific terms might be preferred.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Treating "акула" as a masculine noun and using incorrect agreements, e.g., saying "большой акула" instead of "большая акула".
  Correct: "Большая акула" (The adjective must be feminine).
  Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and errors here can make sentences sound unnatural to native speakers.
• Mistake: Overusing the metaphorical sense without context, e.g., translating "shark" in a business email as "акула" when a neutral term is needed.
  Correct: Use "хищник" or rephrase for formality.
  Explanation: This can come across as too colloquial or aggressive in professional Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "акула" often evokes images from literature and media, such as in folktales or modern films where sharks symbolize danger or survival in the wild. Historically, sharks are less prominent in Russian folklore compared to Western cultures, but the word appears in educational contexts about global oceans, reflecting Russia's vast maritime interests in the Arctic and Pacific. Metaphorically, it aligns with Russian idioms about predators, drawing from a broader Slavic tradition of animal symbolism in storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• дельфин (dolphin)
• кит (whale)
• хищник (predator)
• морские животные (marine animals)