Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snowstorm'

English Word: snowstorm

Key Russian Translations:

• метель [mʲɪˈtʲelʲ] - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday weather discussions]
• снежная буря [ˈsneʐnəjə ˈburə] - [Formal, Often in meteorological or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in Russian weather reports and casual conversations, especially in regions with harsh winters, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "снег" (snow).)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Learners at this level should be familiar with basic weather terms, but mastering inflections and contextual usage may require practice. For "метель", it's B1; for "снежная буря", it's also B1 due to its compound structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

метель: [mʲɪˈtʲelʲ]

снежная буря: [ˈsneʐnəjə ˈburə]

Note on метель: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'т' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. This word has no major regional variants.

Note on снежная буря: Pronounce each word separately; "снежная" is an adjective meaning "snowy," and "буря" means "storm." The 'ж' sound is soft, similar to 's' in "measure."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A severe storm characterized by heavy snowfall and strong winds, often disrupting daily activities.

Translation(s) & Context:

• метель - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as casual conversations about weather in Russia or other snowy regions.
• снежная буря - Applied in more formal or technical settings, like news reports or scientific descriptions of weather phenomena.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера в Москве разразилась мощная метель, которая парализовала движение.

  Yesterday, a powerful snowstorm hit Moscow, paralyzing traffic.

• Во время метели всегда стоит оставаться дома, чтобы избежать обледенения на дорогах.

  During a snowstorm, it's always best to stay home to avoid icy roads.

• Снежная буря в Сибири может продлиться несколько дней, вызывая снежные заносы.

  A snowstorm in Siberia can last several days, causing snowdrifts.

• Метеорологи предупредили о приближающейся метели, поэтому мы отменили поездку.

  Meteorologists warned about an approaching snowstorm, so we canceled our trip.

• В фильме показано, как герои борются с снежной бурей в горах, чтобы выжить.

  In the movie, the heroes struggle against a snowstorm in the mountains to survive.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Метель" is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections, which are regular but require attention to cases. "Снежная буря" is a phrase where "снежная" is an adjective that agrees with "буря" (also feminine).

For "снежная буря", the adjective "снежная" changes as follows: Nominative singular - снежная; Genitive singular - снежной; etc. The noun "буря" inflects similarly to "метель" as it is also feminine.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • буран - Similar to a blizzard, often interchangeable in informal contexts but implies stronger winds.
  • снегопад - More general, meaning snowfall, but can be used for lighter storms; differs by being less intense.
• Antonyms:
  • жара - Heat or hot weather.
  • тишина - Calm or stillness, referring to weather without storms.

Related Phrases:

• Метельная погода - Snowstorm weather; refers to conditions dominated by snowstorms, often used in forecasts.
• Снежная буря в горах - Snowstorm in the mountains; a common phrase for describing hazardous winter conditions.
• Бушевать метель - To rage a snowstorm; an idiomatic expression for an intense, ongoing storm.

Usage Notes:

• "Метель" is the most direct and idiomatic translation for "snowstorm" in everyday Russian, while "снежная буря" is preferred in formal or technical English-to-Russian conversions. Choose based on context: use "метель" for casual speech and "снежная буря" for written reports.
• Be mindful of gender agreement; as a feminine noun, it must pair with feminine adjectives (e.g., "сильная метель" for "strong snowstorm").
• In Russian culture, these words often appear in contexts involving winter preparedness, so they may carry connotations of disruption or adventure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "снег" (snow) alone to mean "snowstorm," which understates the intensity. Correct: Say "метель" for accuracy. Example of error: "Была снег" (Was snow) instead of "Была метель." Explanation: "Снег" refers only to snow, not the storm aspect.
• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun in sentences, e.g., using "метель" in the wrong case. Correct: In "Из-за метели" (Because of the snowstorm), it's genitive; incorrect would be "Из-за метель." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, words like "метель" evoke strong cultural imagery from literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works) and daily life, where snowstorms are common in winter and can symbolize isolation or resilience. They highlight the harshness of the Russian climate, often featured in folklore and media as tests of endurance.

Related Concepts:

• зима (winter)
• снег (snow)
• погода (weather)
• буран (blizzard)