Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snake'

English Word: snake

Key Russian Translations:

• змея /ˈzmeɪə/ - [Common noun, used in general contexts; Informal/Formal]
• гадюка /ˈgadʲʊkə/ - [Specific type, e.g., viper; Formal, often in scientific or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in nature-related discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" for house)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; Basic vocabulary for beginners, but requires understanding of noun declensions; For 'змея', A2; For 'гадюка', B1 due to specificity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

змея: /ˈzmeɪə/ (The stress is on the first syllable; the 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in "zoo".)

гадюка: /ˈgadʲʊkə/ (Note the palatalized 'дʲ', which softens the sound; pronounce as in "garden" with a soft 'd'.)

Note on змея: Be cautious with the vowel shift in fast speech; it may sound like /zˈmʲeɪə/ in some dialects.

Note on гадюка: The ending '-ка' can vary slightly in informal speech, but standard pronunciation is consistent.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A long, legless reptile, often venomous or non-venomous.

Translation(s) & Context:

• змея - Used in everyday, general descriptions of snakes in wildlife, stories, or warnings; Common in both formal and informal settings.
• гадюка - Applied specifically to venomous snakes like vipers; Often in scientific, medical, or cautionary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы увидели большую змею, которая ползла по земле.

  In the forest, we saw a large snake crawling on the ground. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a descriptive narrative.)

• Не подходи к гадюке — она ядовитая и может укусить.

  Don't approach the viper — it's poisonous and might bite. (Illustrates use in a warning context with imperative structure.)

• Змея в саду напугала детей, но она оказалась безобидной.

  The snake in the garden scared the children, but it turned out to be harmless. (Demonstrates the noun with adjectives and in a past-tense story.)

• Гадюка часто встречается в горных районах России.

  Vipers are often found in the mountainous regions of Russia. (Shows plural form and geographical context.)

• Когда змея сбрасывает кожу, это называется линькой.

  When a snake sheds its skin, it's called molting. (Example in a scientific or educational context, linking to biological processes.)

2. (Figurative) A treacherous or deceitful person (informal slang in English).

Translation(s) & Context:

• змея - Used metaphorically for a sneaky person, especially in informal or literary contexts; Equivalent to English slang.

Usage Examples:

• Он оказался настоящей змеёй — предал друзей ради выгоды.

  He turned out to be a real snake — he betrayed his friends for personal gain. (This highlights metaphorical use in a narrative.)

• Не доверяй ей, она как змея в траве.

  Don't trust her; she's like a snake in the grass. (Idiomatic expression in a warning context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'змея' and 'гадюка' are feminine nouns in Russian, following the first declension pattern. They change based on case, number, and gender. 'Змея' is regular, while 'гадюка' has standard feminine endings.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рептилия (reptile) - More general term.
  • удав (boa constrictor) - Specific type, with subtle differences in size and habitat.
• Antonyms:
  • птица (bird) - Represents a completely different animal class, often contrasted in nature discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Укус змеи - Snake bite (Refers to the injury caused by a snake; used in medical or survival contexts).
• Змея в траве - Snake in the grass (Idiomatic for something hidden and dangerous; equivalent to English idiom).
• Ядовитая змея - Poisonous snake (Common phrase for venomous species; emphasizes danger in warnings).

Usage Notes:

'Змея' directly corresponds to the basic meaning of 'snake' in English and is versatile across contexts, while 'гадюка' is more specific to venomous types. Use 'змея' for general discussions to avoid over-specification. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as both are feminine nouns (e.g., adjectives must end in -ая or similar). In formal writing, prefer 'змея' over slang metaphorical uses. When choosing between translations, opt for 'гадюка' if the context involves danger or science.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'змея' in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я боюсь змея" instead of "Я боюсь змеи" (genitive for fear of something).

  Correct: "Я боюсь змеи" — Explanation: Russian requires genitive after verbs of fear; learners often forget declension rules.

• Error: Confusing with masculine nouns, e.g., treating 'змея' as masculine and using wrong adjectives like 'большой змея' instead of 'большая змея'.

  Correct: 'Большая змея' — Explanation: Always use feminine adjectives; this is a common gender agreement mistake for English speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, snakes like the 'змея' often symbolize deceit or temptation, as seen in folklore tales from Slavic mythology (e.g., stories involving Baba Yaga). However, they also appear in positive contexts, such as in traditional medicine where snake-derived remedies are used, reflecting a mix of fear and respect in rural areas.

Related Concepts:

• ящерица (lizard)
• рептилия (reptile)
• удав (boa constrictor)