Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snipe'

English Word: snipe

Key Russian Translations:

• снайпер [snajpɛr] - [Formal, Military context]
• бекас [bʲɪkas] - [Informal, Ornithological context]
• высмеивать [vɨsmʲɪvətʲ] - [Informal, Verbal criticism context]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'snipe' and its translations are commonly used in specific contexts like military, hunting, or casual conversation, but not in everyday general language.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'снайпер' and 'бекас'; A2 for 'высмеивать', based on CEFR, as they involve basic vocabulary with contextual nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снайпер: [snajpɛr]

бекас: [bʲɪkas]

высмеивать: [vɨsmʲɪvətʲ]

Note on снайпер: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the 'й' sound, which is a soft palatal approximant. Variations may occur in dialects.

Note on бекас: Pronounced with a soft 'б' in some regions; common in nature-related speech.

Note on высмеивать: The verb has a rolling 'в' sound; infinitive form is straightforward, but conjugated forms can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun meaning a type of bird (e.g., a wading bird)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бекас - Used in hunting, wildlife discussions, or nature documentaries; refers specifically to the common snipe bird.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В лесу мы заметили стаю бекасов, летящих над болотом.

  English: In the forest, we noticed a flock of snipes flying over the swamp.

• Русский: Бекас — это птица, которую часто охотятся в осенний сезон.

  English: The snipe is a bird that is often hunted during the autumn season.

• Русский: Орнитологи изучают миграцию бекасов в Сибири.

  English: Ornithologists study the migration of snipes in Siberia.

• Русский: Бекас имеет длинный клюв, идеальный для поиска пищи в грязи.

  English: The snipe has a long beak, perfect for foraging in the mud.

As a noun meaning a sniper or sharpshooter

Translation(s) & Context:

• снайпер - Used in military, video games, or action contexts; implies precision shooting from concealment.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Снайпер в армии проходит специальную подготовку для точных выстрелов.

  English: A sniper in the army undergoes special training for accurate shots.

• Русский: В компьютерной игре я играю за снайпера, скрываясь в кустах.

  English: In the video game, I play as a sniper, hiding in the bushes.

• Русский: Снайпер должен обладать не только навыками стрельбы, но и терпением.

  English: A sniper must have not only shooting skills but also patience.

• Русский: Во время войны снайпер может изменить исход битвы одним выстрелом.

  English: During the war, a sniper can change the outcome of a battle with a single shot.

As a verb meaning to shoot from concealment or criticize sharply

Translation(s) & Context:

• высмеивать - Used in informal conversations, debates, or media; implies mocking or criticizing indirectly.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Журналист любит высмеивать политиков в своих статьях.

  English: The journalist likes to snipe at politicians in his articles.

• Русский: В социальных сетях люди часто высмеивают знаменитостей.

  English: On social media, people often snipe at celebrities.

• Русский: Не стоит высмеивать чужие ошибки; лучше помочь исправить их.

  English: Don't snipe at others' mistakes; it's better to help fix them.

• Русский: Критик высмеивает фильм, но его аргументы не всегда убедительны.

  English: The critic snipes at the film, but his arguments aren't always convincing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'снайпер' (noun, masculine): This is a standard masculine noun with regular declension. It follows the first declension pattern.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	снайпер	снайперы
Genitive	снайпера	снайперов
Dative	снайперу	снайперам
Accusative	снайпера	снайперов
Instrumental	снайпером	снайперами
Prepositional	снайпере	снайперах

For 'бекас' (noun, masculine): Similar to 'снайпер', it has regular declension with no irregularities.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	бекас	бекасы
Genitive	бекаса	бекасов

For 'высмеивать' (verb, imperfective): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular inflections. Conjugates as follows in present tense:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	высмеиваю	высмеиваем
2nd	высмеиваешь	высмеиваете
3rd	высмеивает	высмеивают

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for снайпер: стрелок (marksman), охотник (hunter in context)
• Synonyms for бекас: болотная птица (marsh bird)
• Synonyms for высмеивать: насмехаться (to mock), иронизировать (to be ironic) - Note: 'насмехаться' is more direct and emotional.
• Antonyms for высмеивать: хвалить (to praise), поддерживать (to support)

Related Phrases:

• Снайперский выстрел - A sniper's shot; refers to a precise, long-range attack.
• Охота на бекасов - Hunting snipes; used in recreational or traditional hunting contexts.
• Высмеивать оппонента - To snipe at an opponent; common in debates or social media.

Usage Notes:

'Snipe' as 'снайпер' directly corresponds to military or precision shooting contexts in English, but in Russian, it's more formal and often linked to professional settings. For 'бекас', it's a straightforward ornithological term with no direct idiomatic equivalents. When using 'высмеивать', choose it for informal criticism; it's less aggressive than English 'snipe' in verbal contexts. Grammar note: Verbs like 'высмеивать' require aspect consideration—pair with perfective 'высмеять' for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'снайпер' with 'стрелок' and using it interchangeably. Correct: 'Снайпер' implies specialized training, while 'стрелок' is a general shooter. Example of error: "Он просто стрелок" (He is just a shooter) vs. Correct: "Он снайпер" for precision roles.
• Error: Misdeclining 'бекас' in genitive case (e.g., saying 'бекас' instead of 'бекаса'). Correct: Use proper case, e.g., "охота на бекаса" (hunting a snipe).
• Error: Overusing 'высмеивать' in formal writing. Correct: In professional contexts, use 'критиковать' (to criticize) instead, as 'высмеивать' sounds mocking.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'снайпер' evokes historical figures from World War II, like Vasily Zaitsev, symbolizing heroism and precision in warfare. 'Бекас' is tied to traditional Russian hunting folklore, often featured in literature by authors like Turgenev, representing rural life and nature's beauty.

Related Concepts:

• Охотник (hunter)
• Стрелок (marksman)
• Ирония (irony)