Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spider'

English Word: spider

Key Russian Translations:

• паук (/paʊk/) - [Neutral, commonly used for the animal]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations and texts.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage in the CEFR framework.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

паук: /paʊk/ (The 'ау' diphthong is pronounced like 'ow' in 'cow', with stress on the first syllable.)

Note on паук: Be mindful of the soft sign (к) at the end, which doesn't affect pronunciation but indicates grammatical features. In fast speech, it may sound slightly softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: An eight-legged arachnid creature.

Translation(s) & Context:

• паук - Used in everyday contexts for describing spiders in nature, homes, or stories; neutral and widely applicable in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В саду я увидел большого паука, плетущего паутину. (In the garden, I saw a big spider weaving a web.)

  Translation: In the garden, I saw a big spider weaving a web. (This example shows the noun in a simple descriptive sentence, highlighting its basic nominative form.)

• Дети боятся паука в подвале. (The children are afraid of the spider in the basement.)

  Translation: The children are afraid of the spider in the basement. (Here, it demonstrates the noun in a genitive context, implying possession or location.)

• Паук поймал муху в свою ловушку. (The spider caught a fly in its trap.)

  Translation: The spider caught a fly in its trap. (This illustrates the noun with action verbs, showing its use in narrative structures.)

• На чердаке скрывается паук с красными отметинами. (On the attic, there's a spider with red markings hiding.)

  Translation: On the attic, there's a spider with red markings hiding. (This example varies the context to include adjectives for description.)

• Если паук в доме, это может быть признаком хорошей погоды. (If a spider is in the house, it might be a sign of good weather.)

  Translation: If a spider is in the house, it might be a sign of good weather. (This shows a cultural or superstitious usage in conditional sentences.)

Metaphorical Meaning: Referring to something intricate or web-like, e.g., in technology or schemes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• паук - Informally used in metaphorical contexts, such as in computing (e.g., web spider), but less common; often requires additional context to avoid confusion.

Usage Examples:

• Интернет-паук сканирует сайты для поиска информации. (The internet spider scans websites for information.)

  Translation: The internet spider scans websites for information. (This demonstrates the term in a modern, technological context with compound nouns.)

• Его план был как паутина, полная хитрых ловушек. (His plan was like a spider's web, full of cunning traps.)

  Translation: His plan was like a spider's web, full of cunning traps. (This shows metaphorical extension in idiomatic expressions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

паук is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • арахнид (arakhnid) - More scientific term, used in formal or biological contexts.
  • паукообразное (paukobraznoe) - Refers to spider-like creatures, with a broader application.
• Antonyms:
  • птица (ptitsa) - Bird, as an opposite in the animal kingdom, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• паутина (pautina) - A web spun by a spider; often used metaphorically for complex situations. (e.g., In English: "web of lies")
• паук в банке (pauk v banke) - Literal: spider in a jar; figurative for something trapped or confined. (e.g., In English: "a caged animal")
• охотник-паук (okhotnik-pauk) - Hunter spider; refers to aggressive species in wildlife discussions.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "паук" directly corresponds to the English "spider" in most literal contexts, making it a straightforward translation for beginners. However, in metaphorical uses (e.g., in computing), English speakers should note that Russian often retains the English borrowing like "веб-паук" for "web spider." It's neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal settings, but avoid it in poetic or highly literary contexts where more descriptive phrases might be preferred. When choosing between translations, "паук" is the most common and versatile option unless a scientific context requires "арахнид."

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "паук" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "боюсь паук" instead of "боюсь паука" (I am afraid of the spider).
  Correct: "Боюсь паука" – Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after verbs like "боюсь" (to be afraid of), so always check the sentence structure for case agreement.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "паук" in plural without proper context, e.g., "пауки в сад" instead of "пауки в саду."
  Correct: "Пауки в саду" – Explanation: The prepositional case is needed for locations, so learners must memorize declension patterns to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, spiders are often associated with folklore and superstitions. For instance, seeing a spider in the house is sometimes considered a sign of impending good luck or rain, reflecting ancient Slavic beliefs. This cultural connotation can add depth to its usage in literature or everyday conversation, where it might symbolize fate or intricacy, as in classic Russian tales.

Related Concepts:

• паутина
• насекомое (nasekomee)
• паукообразные (paukobraznye)