Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slough'

English Word: slough

Key Russian Translations:

• болото [bɐˈɫo.tə] - [Noun, Formal, Singular; Used in geographical or natural contexts]
• сбрасывать [sbɾɐˈsɨ.vɐtʲ] - [Verb, Informal; Used for shedding or discarding something]
• отмершая кожа [ɐtˈmʲer.ʂɨjə ˈko.ʐə] - [Noun Phrase, Neutral; Used specifically for shed skin, like in biology]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts like nature, biology, and everyday discarding, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary in general conversation)

Difficulty: B1 for 'болото' (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic noun declension knowledge); B2 for 'сбрасывать' (Upper-Intermediate, due to verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

болото: [bɐˈɫo.tə]

сбрасывать: [sbɾɐˈsɨ.vɐtʲ]

отмершая кожа: [ɐtˈmʲer.ʂɨjə ˈko.ʐə]

Note on болото: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ло'), which is a common feature in Russian neuter nouns; misplacing stress can alter perceived fluency.

Note on сбрасывать: The 'ы' sound is subtle and often softened; practice with native speakers to master the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A swamp or bog (as a noun referring to a marshy area)

Translation(s) & Context:

• болото - Used in environmental, geographical, or descriptive contexts, often implying a wet, muddy area that can be hazardous.

Usage Examples:

• Мы обошли болото, чтобы не замокнуть в грязи.

  We went around the slough to avoid getting stuck in the mud.

• Болото в этом регионе привлекает редких птиц.

  The slough in this region attracts rare birds.

• После дождя болото разливается и затопляет тропу.

  After the rain, the slough overflows and floods the path.

• Болото служит естественным фильтром для воды.

  The slough serves as a natural filter for water.

Meaning 2: To shed or cast off (as a verb, e.g., skin or something unwanted)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сбрасывать - Used in contexts of discarding, removing, or letting go, such as in biology or metaphorical situations.
• отмершая кожа - Specifically for literal shedding, like in animal biology or medical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Змея сбрасывает кожу каждые несколько недель.

  The snake sloughs off its skin every few weeks.

• Он решил сбрасывать старые привычки, чтобы начать новую жизнь.

  He decided to slough off his old habits to start a new life.

• Весной деревья сбрасывают листья, но это не типично для всех пород.

  In spring, trees slough off leaves, though this isn't typical for all species.

• После операции отмершая кожа была удалена хирургом.

  After the operation, the sloughed skin was removed by the surgeon.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'болото' (neuter noun, 2nd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is invariable in plural forms for some uses but changes by case:

For 'сбрасывать' (imperfective verb, 1st conjugation), it conjugates irregularly in some tenses. Example in present tense:

'Отмершая кожа' is a phrase and does not inflect as a single word; 'кожа' (feminine noun) follows standard 1st declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • болото: топь (top'; a swampy area, often more watery)
  • сбрасывать: отбрасывать (otbrasyvat'; to discard forcefully, with a connotation of rejection)
  • отмершая кожа: шелуха (shelukha; for outer layers, like husk)
• Antonyms:
  • болото: суша (sushа; dry land)
  • сбрасывать: накапливать (nakaplivat'; to accumulate)

Related Phrases:

• Болото кишит комарами - This phrase means "The slough is teeming with mosquitoes," often used in outdoor or survival contexts.
• Сбрасывать груз - Meaning "To slough off cargo," referring to discarding weight in travel or metaphorically in life decisions.
• Отмершая кожа змеи - Translates to "Sloughed skin of a snake," used in biological or educational discussions.

Usage Notes:

'Slough' as 'болото' directly corresponds to English in natural descriptions but is more commonly used in Russian for environmental topics. For the verb 'сбрасывать', it's imperfective, so it's used for ongoing actions; pair it with perfective 'сбросить' for completed ones. In formal contexts, prefer 'болото' over slang alternatives. When choosing between translations, use 'отмершая кожа' for literal biological shedding and 'сбрасывать' for metaphorical uses like emotional baggage.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'болото' with 'озеро' (lake), thinking they are synonyms. Error: "Это озеро очень грязное" (instead of 'болото'). Correct: "Это болото очень грязное." Explanation: 'Озеро' implies a body of water, while 'болото' specifies a marshy, boggy area.
• Mixing verb aspects: Using 'сбрасывать' for a completed action. Error: "Я сбрасываю кожу вчера" (incorrect tense). Correct: "Я сбросил кожу вчера." Explanation: 'Сбрасывать' is imperfective; use perfective 'сбросить' for past completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'болото' often symbolizes mystery or danger in folklore, as seen in stories like those of Baba Yaga, where swamps represent untamed wilderness. This reflects historical Russian experiences with vast, unexplored landscapes, adding a layer of cultural depth beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• топь (another type of wetland)
• змеиная кожа (snake skin)
• выбрасывать (to throw away)