Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stray'

English Word: stray

Key Russian Translations:

• бродячий [broˈdʲatɕɪj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• бродить [broˈditʲ] - [Verb, Informal]
• бродяга [broˈdʲaga] - [Noun, Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like describing animals or wandering, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic Russian grammar and vocabulary, though inflections can vary by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бродячий: [broˈdʲatɕɪj]

Note on бродячий: The 'я' sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a softened 'ya' as in "yard".

Audio: []

бродить: [broˈditʲ]

Note on бродить: The final 'тʲ' is softly pronounced, similar to a 't' in "future" but more dental; common in verb forms.

Audio: []

бродяга: [broˈdʲaga]

Note on бродяга: Stress on the first syllable; the 'га' ending is typical for masculine nouns and may vary in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: As an adjective, referring to something wandering, homeless, or off-course (e.g., a stray animal).

Translation(s) & Context:

• бродячий - Used in formal or descriptive contexts for animals, people, or objects that are wandering without a fixed path, often evoking sympathy or caution.

Usage Examples:

• Бродячий пёс бродит по улицам в поисках еды.

  A stray dog wanders the streets in search of food. (Shows the adjective in a real-world, everyday context.)

• В парке мы увидели бродячего кота, который выглядел голодным.

  In the park, we saw a stray cat that looked hungry. (Illustrates use with animals in a descriptive sentence.)

• Бродячие животные часто становятся проблемой в больших городах.

  Stray animals often become a problem in big cities. (Demonstrates plural form in a broader social context.)

• Эта бродячая кошка уже несколько дней прячется в нашем саду.

  This stray cat has been hiding in our garden for several days. (Highlights possessive or ongoing scenarios.)

Meaning 2: As a verb, meaning to wander or deviate from a path.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бродить - Commonly used in informal speech for aimless walking or straying, often implying exploration or loss of direction.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю бродить по лесу в выходные, чтобы расслабиться.

  I like to stray through the forest on weekends to relax. (Shows the verb in a leisure context.)

• Туристы бродили по улицам Москвы, не следуя карте.

  The tourists were straying through the streets of Moscow without following the map. (Illustrates group action and urban setting.)

• Не бродите далеко от тропы, иначе вы можете потеряться.

  Don't stray far from the path, or you might get lost. (Emphasizes caution in an imperative sentence.)

• Дети бродили по пляжу, собирая ракушки.

  The children were straying along the beach, collecting shells. (Demonstrates use with children in a playful context.)

Meaning 3: As a noun, referring to a wanderer or homeless person.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бродяга - Used formally for a vagabond or stray individual, often with a neutral or slightly negative connotation in literature or media.

Usage Examples:

• Этот бродяга живёт на улицах уже много лет.

  This stray lives on the streets for many years. (Directly describes a person in a social issue context.)

• В старых фильмах бродяги часто изображаются как мудрые, но одинокие персонажи.

  In old films, strays are often portrayed as wise but lonely characters. (Shows use in cultural or narrative settings.)

• Бродяга попросил у меня немного денег на еду.

  The stray asked me for some money for food. (Illustrates interaction in an everyday encounter.)

• Многие бродяги в России ищут помощь в приютах.

  Many strays in Russia seek help in shelters. (Emphasizes plural and societal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'бродячий' (adjective): It follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, changing based on gender, number, and case. It is invariable in some predicative uses but declines fully in attributive positions.

Case	Singular Masculine	Singular Feminine	Singular Neuter	Plural
Nominative	бродячий	бродячая	бродячее	бродячие
Genitive	бродячего	бродячей	бродячего	бродячих

For 'бродить' (verb): It is an imperfective verb and conjugates irregularly in some aspects. Present tense: я брожу, ты бродишь, он бродит, etc.

Person	Present Tense
1st Person Singular	я брожу
2nd Person Singular	ты бродишь
3rd Person Singular	он/она бродит

For 'бродяга' (noun): A masculine noun that declines according to the first declension pattern and is invariable in plural forms in some contexts.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	бродяга	бродяги
Genitive	бродяги	бродяг

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: блуждающий (bluzhdajushchiy) - Similar but implies more confusion; бесприютный (besprijutnyj) - Emphasizes homelessness.
• Antonyms: домашний (domashniy) - Refers to something domestic or settled; стабильный (stabil'nyj) - Implies stability, often in a metaphorical sense.

Related Phrases:

• Бродячий цирк - A traveling circus; refers to a nomadic entertainment group.
• Бродить без цели - To wander aimlessly; used for describing purposeless movement in life or travel.
• Бродяга на дороге - A stray on the road; a common phrase in literature for unexpected encounters.

Usage Notes:

'Бродячий' directly corresponds to the adjective form of 'stray' and is best used in formal writing or descriptions, while 'бродить' fits verbal contexts like exploration. Be cautious with 'бродяга' as it can carry a pejorative tone in modern Russian, similar to 'vagabond' in English. Choose based on context: use 'бродячий' for animals and 'бродить' for actions. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with their nouns.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse 'бродячий' by not declining it properly, e.g., saying "бродячий собака" instead of "бродячая собака" for feminine nouns. Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "бродячий пёс" for masculine.
• Confusing verb conjugations: Saying "я бродить" instead of "я брожу" in present tense. Error: Incorrect conjugation; Explanation: Russian verbs require person-based endings, so practice with tables.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'бродяга' often appear in literature (e.g., in works by Dostoevsky) to symbolize freedom, hardship, or social outcasts, reflecting historical themes of migration and survival in vast landscapes like Siberia.

Related Concepts:

• бездомный (homeless)
• странник (wanderer)
• блуждать (to roam)