Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shrew'

English Word: shrew

Key Russian Translations:

• землеройка [zʲɪm.lʲɪˈroj.kə] - [Neutral, used in scientific or everyday contexts]
• мегера [ˈmʲe.ɡʲɪ.rə] - [Informal, Pejorative, often in literary or colloquial speech]

Frequency: Medium - "землеройка" is encountered in discussions about wildlife, while "мегера" appears in literature or casual conversations, but neither is extremely common in daily speech.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "землеройка" due to its specific vocabulary in nature-related topics; A2 (Elementary) for "мегера" as it is a straightforward term in basic interpersonal contexts.

Pronunciation (Russian):

землеройка: [zʲɪm.lʲɪˈroj.kə]

мегера: [ˈmʲe.ɡʲɪ.rə]

Note on землеройка: The stress is on the third syllable ("roj"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; pronounce it with a soft "l" sound.

Note on мегера: The initial "м" is soft, and the word has a sharp, emphatic quality in spoken Russian, often used with emotion.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A small insectivorous mammal (e.g., referring to the animal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• землеройка - Used in biological, environmental, or descriptive contexts, such as wildlife discussions or nature guides.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу часто встречаются землеройки, которые роют норы в земле.

  In the forest, shrews are often encountered, which dig burrows in the ground.

• Землеройка — это мелкое млекопитающее, питающееся насекомыми.

  A shrew is a small mammal that feeds on insects.

• Исследователи изучают популяцию землероек в национальном парке.

  Researchers are studying the population of shrews in the national park.

• Землеройка может быть полезной для экосистемы, контролируя популяцию вредителей.

  A shrew can be beneficial to the ecosystem by controlling pest populations.

2. A bad-tempered or scolding woman (pejorative, often literary).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мегера - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe a shrewish woman, implying irritability or dominance, such as in stories or everyday complaints.

Usage Examples:

• В старой сказке главная героиня — настоящая мегера, которая ругает всех вокруг.

  In the old fairy tale, the main heroine is a real shrew, who scolds everyone around.

• Его соседка — мегера, которая всегда кричит на детей во дворе.

  His neighbor is a shrew who always yells at the children in the yard.

• В комедии персонаж мегеры добавляет юмора, показывая преувеличенные черты характера.

  In the comedy, the shrew character adds humor by exaggerating personality traits.

• Мегера в семье может создать напряженную атмосферу из-за своей сварливости.

  A shrew in the family can create a tense atmosphere due to her quarrelsomeness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "землеройка" and "мегера" are feminine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns.

For "землеройка" (feminine, animate noun):

For "мегера" (feminine noun, with some irregularities due to its foreign origin):

These nouns do not change in gender but follow regular patterns for number and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для "землеройка": обыкновенная землеройка (more specific), полевка (similar small rodent)
  • Для "мегера": сварливица (quarrelsome woman), фурия (fury, in a dramatic sense) - Note: "фурия" implies more mythical anger.
• Antonyms:
  • Для "мегера": ангел (angel, implying sweetness) - Used metaphorically for a gentle woman.

Related Phrases:

• Землеройка в лесу (A shrew in the forest) - Refers to the animal in its natural habitat; used in educational or descriptive contexts.
• Мегера в доме (A shrew at home) - Describes a domineering woman in a domestic setting, often with humorous or negative connotations.
• Дикая землеройка (Wild shrew) - Emphasizes the animal's untamed nature in wildlife discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Shrew" as "землеройка" corresponds directly to the animal in neutral, factual contexts, such as biology or nature. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation unless discussing wildlife. For the pejorative sense, "мегера" is informal and should be used cautiously to avoid offense, as it carries a strong negative judgment similar to English slang. Choose "мегера" over other options when emphasizing emotional volatility in literary or storytelling scenarios. Grammatically, both are feminine nouns, so they must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender and number.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "землеройка" interchangeably with "крыса" (rat), which is incorrect as they are different animals. Correct: "Землеройка не является крысой; это отдельный вид." (A shrew is not a rat; it's a distinct species.) Explanation: This confusion arises from similar appearances, but accurate identification is key in scientific contexts.
• Mistake: Overusing "мегера" in formal writing, where it might seem too colloquial. Correct: Opt for "сварливая женщина" in professional settings. Explanation: "Мегера" is best for informal or literary use to maintain appropriate tone.

Cultural Notes:

The term "мегера" draws from literary traditions, such as in Russian folklore and works by authors like Pushkin, where it portrays strong-willed or antagonistic female characters. It reflects historical gender stereotypes in Russian culture, often used humorously or critically in modern media to discuss interpersonal dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• полевка (vole)
• сварливица (quarrelsome woman)
• фурия (fury)