Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snowfall'

English Word: snowfall

Key Russian Translations:

• снегопад /snʲɪˈɡopət/ - [Formal, Used in weather contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in weather-related discussions, especially in regions with cold climates, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: A2 (Basic level; straightforward for beginners, as it follows standard noun patterns in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снегопад: /snʲɪˈɡopət/ (The 'щ' sound is softened, and the stress is on the second syllable)

Note on снегопад: Be cautious with the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is common in Russian but may be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'n' as in 'new'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The falling of snow from the sky, often referring to a period or event of snowfall.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снегопад - Used in formal weather reports, scientific descriptions, or everyday conversations about winter conditions.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера в Москве был обильный снегопад, который парализовал движение.

  Yesterday in Moscow, there was a heavy snowfall that paralyzed traffic.

• Снегопад в горах часто приводит к лавинам зимой.

  Snowfall in the mountains often leads to avalanches in winter.

• Метеорологи предсказывают снегопад на выходные, так что возьмите зонты для снега.

  Meteorologists predict snowfall over the weekend, so take snow umbrellas.

• После снегопада дети вышли на улицу лепить снеговиков.

  After the snowfall, children went out to build snowmen.

• Городской снегопад превратил улицы в сказочный пейзаж, но создал проблемы для транспорта.

  The urban snowfall turned the streets into a fairy-tale landscape but created problems for transportation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Снегопад" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard third-declension pattern for nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively easy to inflect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • метель (metel) - Implies a snowstorm with wind, often used for more intense snowfall.
  • снег (sneg) - Basic term for snow, but less specific to the event of falling.
• Antonyms:
  • дождь (dohd) - Rain, contrasting with snow in weather contexts.
  • жару (zharu) - Heat, used for opposite weather conditions.

Related Phrases:

• Снежный покров (Snegovyy pokrov) - Snow cover; refers to the layer of snow on the ground after snowfall.
• Зимний снегопад (Zimniy snegopad) - Winter snowfall; commonly used in seasonal descriptions.
• Обильный снегопад (Obilnyy snegopad) - Heavy snowfall; indicates a significant amount of snow.

Usage Notes:

"Снегопад" directly corresponds to "snowfall" in English, emphasizing the event rather than the substance (which is "снег" for snow itself). It is typically used in formal or neutral contexts like weather forecasts, news, or scientific discussions. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so always adjust based on the sentence structure (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for "снегопад" for precise meteorological events, but "метель" if wind is involved. Avoid using it in casual slang; it's more standard Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "снегопад" with "снег" and using "снег" to mean a snowfall event. Incorrect: "Вчера был снег." (This just means "There was snow," not the falling event.) Correct: "Вчера был снегопад." Explanation: "Снег" refers to the substance, while "снегопад" specifies the process, so use the latter for accuracy in weather contexts.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я боюсь снегопад" (should be dative: "снегопаду"). Correct: "Я боюсь снегопаду." Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings; always check the sentence's grammatical role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "снегопад" is often associated with the long, harsh winters of Russia, evoking images of fairy tales like those by Pushkin or folklore where snow transforms the landscape. It can symbolize both beauty and hardship, as seen in literature and holidays like New Year's, where snowfall enhances festive atmospheres but also reminds of survival in cold climates.

Related Concepts:

• зима (zima) - Winter
• метель (metel) - Blizzard
• снегопадный (snegopadnyy) - Snowfall-related (adjective form)