Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'swan'

English Word: swan

Key Russian Translations:

• лебедь /lʲɪˈbʲedʲ/ - [Formal, Singular; Used in general descriptions of the bird]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, literature, and nature-related contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "dog" or "cat").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Straightforward for new learners due to its regular noun patterns and common usage in simple sentences).

Pronunciation (Russian):

лебедь: /lʲɪˈbʲedʲ/

Note on лебедь: The pronunciation features palatalized consonants (/lʲ/ and /bʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents may soften the /ʲ/ sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A large waterbird with a long neck, typically white plumage, and known for its grace and swimming ability.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лебедь - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe the bird in wildlife, poetry, or everyday observations; common in both spoken and written Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В озере плавает красивый лебедь.

  In the lake swims a beautiful swan. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its use in describing natural scenes.)

• Лебеди migrating to warmer regions every winter.

  Лебеди migrating to warmer regions every winter. (This demonstrates the noun in a plural context, e.g., "Лебеди migrating..." for migratory patterns.)

• В парке мы увидели пару лебедей, плывущих по пруду.

  In the park, we saw a pair of swans swimming in the pond. (This illustrates the noun with adjectives and in a narrative setting, showing everyday usage.)

• Лебедь в сказках часто символизирует чистоту и верность.

  The swan in fairy tales often symbolizes purity and loyalty. (This example places the word in a cultural or metaphorical context, demonstrating its use in literature.)

• Молодой лебедь учится летать над рекой.

  The young swan is learning to fly over the river. (This shows the noun with modifiers like "young" and in an action-oriented sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"лебедь" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases. It is inflected based on grammatical case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. For example, in plural, it simply adds "-и" in the nominative case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • утка (utka) - Though not exact, used in broader waterbird contexts; less poetic than лебедь.
  • птица (ptitsa) - General term for bird, applicable but less specific.
• Antonyms:
  • ворон (voron) - Raven, representing a contrasting bird type (dark, less graceful).

Related Phrases:

• Лебединое озеро (Lebedinoe ozero) - Refers to "Swan Lake," a famous ballet; used in cultural discussions.
• Плавать как лебедь (Plavat' kak lebed') - "To swim like a swan"; an idiomatic expression meaning to move gracefully in water.
• Белый лебедь (Belyi lebed') - "White swan"; often used metaphorically for purity or beauty in poetry.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лебедь" directly corresponds to the English "swan" and is used in similar contexts, such as describing wildlife or in metaphorical expressions. It is gender-neutral in application but grammatically masculine, so articles or adjectives must agree (e.g., "красивый лебедь" for "beautiful swan"). Be cautious with context: in formal writing or literature, it's preferred over slang alternatives. When choosing between translations, "лебедь" is the most accurate and versatile; avoid overusing it in casual speech where a general term like "птица" might suffice. Additionally, in compound phrases like "Лебединое озеро," it carries cultural weight.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect inflection: English learners often forget to change the ending, e.g., saying "of the swan" as "of лебедь" instead of the correct genitive "of лебедя." Correct usage: Use "лебедя" in genitive contexts to indicate possession.
• Gender agreement mistakes: Treating "лебедь" as feminine, leading to errors like "красивая лебедь" (should be "красивый лебедь"). Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so adjectives must match; practice with basic declension tables to avoid this.
• Over-literal translation: Using "лебедь" in non-bird contexts, e.g., metaphorically without cultural awareness, which might confuse native speakers. Correct approach: Reserve it for appropriate scenarios, as in "Лебедь символизирует..." instead of forcing it into unrelated sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the swan (лебедь) holds symbolic significance, often representing beauty, fidelity, and purity in folklore and literature. For instance, it is central to Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake" (Лебединое озеро), which draws from European fairy tales but resonates deeply in Russian arts. This association can add emotional depth to its usage, making it a poetic choice in creative writing.

Related Concepts:

• утка (utka) - Duck
• гусь (gus') - Goose
• птица (ptitsa) - Bird (general term)