Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'songbird'

English Word: songbird

Key Russian Translations:

• соловей [ˈsɐləvʲej] - [Formal, Literary; Refers specifically to the nightingale, a type of songbird]
• певчая птица [ˈpʲevʲt͡ɕəjə ˈptʲit͡sə] - [Informal, General; Used for any bird known for its singing, in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, poetry, and nature-related discussions, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with basic Russian nouns and their inflections; For "соловей", it's straightforward, but "певчая птица" involves compound nouns, which may vary slightly in difficulty)

Pronunciation (Russian):

соловей: [ˈsɐləvʲej]

певчая птица: [ˈpʲevʲt͡ɕəjə ˈptʲit͡sə]

Note on соловей: The stress is on the first syllable, and the "вʲ" sound is a palatalized 'v', which can be challenging for English speakers—similar to a soft 'v' as in "view". Pronunciation may vary slightly in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small bird, often associated with melodious singing, such as a nightingale.

Translation(s) & Context:

• соловей - Used in poetic, literary, or cultural contexts, often symbolizing beauty or romance in Russian folklore.
• певчая птица - Applied in general descriptions of birds in wildlife, educational, or casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• В саду пел соловей, наполняя ночь мелодичными звуками.

  In the garden, the nightingale sang, filling the night with melodious sounds.

• Каждое утро мы слышим певчую птицу за окном, её песня будит нас.

  Every morning, we hear a songbird outside the window; its song wakes us up.

• Соловей в русской поэзии часто олицетворяет любовь и природу.

  The nightingale in Russian poetry often symbolizes love and nature.

• Эта певчая птица мигрирует на юг зимой, чтобы найти тёплый климат.

  This songbird migrates south in winter to find a warmer climate.

• Дети восторгались, когда соловей запел в парке.

  The children were delighted when the nightingale started singing in the park.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, a person with a beautiful voice, such as a singer.

Translation(s) & Context:

• соловей - Metaphorical use in artistic or emotional contexts, common in songs or stories.
• певчая птица - Less common figuratively, but can be used informally for talented singers.

Usage Examples:

• Её голос был как у соловья, чарующий и нежный на концерте.

  Her voice was like that of a nightingale, enchanting and gentle at the concert.

• Он — настоящая певчая птица в нашем хоре, всегда выделяется.

  He is a real songbird in our choir, always standing out.

• В опере певица спела, словно соловей в рассветном лесу.

  In the opera, the singer performed as if she were a nightingale in a dawn forest.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "соловей" (a masculine noun) and "певчая птица" (a feminine noun phrase) follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Соловей" is a first-declension masculine noun, while "певчая птица" involves a feminine adjective and noun.

Note: "Певчая птица" is a compound phrase, so its adjective "певчая" agrees with "птица" in gender, number, and case. These are regular inflections with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • соловушка (a diminutive, affectionate form of соловей)
  • птица-певица (more descriptive synonym for певчая птица)

  Note: "Соловушка" implies endearment and is often used in folklore.

• Antonyms:
  • немая птица (a bird that doesn't sing, though not a direct antonym)

Related Phrases:

• Соловьиная ночь - A night filled with nightingale songs; Refers to a romantic or poetic evening.
• Певчая птица в клетке - A songbird in a cage; Symbolizes captivity or lost freedom in literature.
• Голос соловья - The voice of a nightingale; Used metaphorically for exceptional singing talent.

Usage Notes:

"Songbird" translates most accurately to "соловей" when referring to the nightingale, which carries cultural weight in Russian literature (e.g., in Pushkin's works). Use "певчая птица" for broader contexts. Note the formal tone of "соловей" in poetry versus the neutral "певчая птица" in everyday speech. Grammatically, always ensure adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for "соловей" in artistic settings and "певчая птица" for scientific or general descriptions to avoid overgeneralization.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "соловей" interchangeably for any bird, leading to "Я видел соловья в парке" when meaning a generic songbird. Correct: Use "певчую птицу" for generality. Explanation: "Соловей" specifically means nightingale, so it can confuse contexts.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "соловейс" instead of "соловья" in genitive case. Correct: "Голос соловья" (The voice of the nightingale). Explanation: Russian nouns require proper case endings; practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the "соловей" (nightingale) is a powerful symbol of love, beauty, and national identity, often featured in folklore, poetry (e.g., in works by Pushkin and Yesenin), and even in proverbs like "Соловей в клетке не поёт" (A bird in a cage doesn't sing), representing freedom and the loss of spirit. This cultural depth makes it more than just a bird—it's an emblem of romanticism in Russian arts.

Related Concepts:

• воробей (sparrow)
• ласточка (swallow)
• птичий пение (birdsong)