Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'swarm'

English Word: swarm

Key Russian Translations:

• рой [rɔj] - [Informal, commonly used for insects or metaphorical groups; can be pluralized]
• стаи [staɪ] - [Informal, specifically for birds or fish; Plural form]

Frequency: Medium - The word is encountered in everyday contexts related to nature, but less so in casual conversation; it's common in literature and scientific discussions.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves basic noun inflections and vocabulary; for 'рой', it's straightforward, but for 'стаи', understanding plural forms may require intermediate grammar knowledge.

Pronunciation (Russian):

рой: [rɔj] - The 'р' is a rolled 'r' sound, and 'ой' rhymes with 'boy' in English.

стаи: [staɪ] - Similar to 'sty' in English, with emphasis on the first syllable.

Note on рой: Be careful with the rolled 'r', which is a common challenge for English speakers; it doesn't have a direct equivalent in most English accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A large group of insects, such as bees, flying or moving together (Primary literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рой - Used in natural or descriptive contexts, such as describing wildlife; Informal in everyday speech.
• стаи - Less common for insects; applied when the group is in motion, like a flock, but can metaphorically extend to 'swarm' in broader senses.

Usage Examples:

• В саду появился рой пчел, и мы пришлось уйти. (V sadu pojavilsja roj pčel, i my prishlos' ujti.)

  In the garden, a swarm of bees appeared, and we had to leave. (This example shows 'swarm' in a natural, urgent context.)

• Летом часто можно увидеть рой насекомых над рекой. (Letom často možno uvidet' roj nasekomych nad rekoj.)

  In the summer, you can often see a swarm of insects over the river. (Illustrates 'swarm' in a seasonal, observational setting.)

• Этот рой мух создал хаос в доме. (Etot roj muh sozdal chaoz v dome.)

  This swarm of flies created chaos in the house. (Demonstrates 'swarm' with a negative connotation and basic sentence structure.)

• Птицы летели стаи, похожей на рой. (Ptitsy leteli stai, podobnoj na roj.)

  The birds flew in a swarm-like flock. (Shows metaphorical extension and comparison in descriptive language.)

Meaning 2: A large, moving group of people or things (Metaphorical or extended usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рой - Used metaphorically for crowds, e.g., in urban or social contexts; Informal, but can be vivid in literature.
• толпа [tolpa] - For human crowds, which might align with 'swarm' in chaotic scenarios; Informal or neutral.

Usage Examples:

• На митинге собрался рой протестующих. (Na mitinge sobralsja roj protestujushhikh.)

  At the rally, a swarm of protesters gathered. (This highlights 'swarm' in a social or political context.)

• В городе рой людей бежал от дождя. (V gorode roj ljudej bezhal ot dozhdja.)

  In the city, a swarm of people ran from the rain. (Illustrates dynamic, group movement in everyday situations.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Рой' is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows standard declension patterns. It is indeclinable in its singular form but changes in plural and cases. 'Стаи' is already a plural form of 'стая' (a feminine noun).

Note: 'Рой' has irregular inflections in some cases, which is common for Russian nouns. For 'стаи', as a plural, it remains unchanged in most contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Скопление (skopleniye) - A general gathering, often neutral or formal.
  • Толпа (tolpa) - For crowds of people, with a connotation of disorder.
• Antonyms:
  • Одиночество (odinoctvo) - Solitude or isolation.
  • Разброс (razbros) - Scattered or dispersed.

Related Phrases:

• Рой пчел (Roj pčel) - Swarm of bees; Used in contexts describing nature or beekeeping.
• Стая птиц (Staja ptits) - Flock of birds, metaphorically like a swarm; Common in wildlife descriptions.
• Рой насекомых (Roj nasekomych) - Swarm of insects; Often in pest control or environmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'рой' directly corresponds to the literal English 'swarm' for insects but can be extended metaphorically, similar to English usage. It's most common in informal or descriptive language, but avoid it in formal writing where 'скопление' might be preferred for precision. When choosing between translations like 'рой' and 'стаи', select based on context: 'рой' for dense, chaotic groups and 'стаи' for organized flocks. Grammatically, always consider case endings, as Russian nouns change form depending on their role in the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'рой' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "в рой" instead of "в рое" in prepositional case. Correct: "в рое пчел" (in a swarm of bees). Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case systems, leading to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing 'рой' with 'стаи' in insect contexts, e.g., saying "стаи пчел" (which implies birds). Correct: "рой пчел". Explanation: This stems from not matching the word to the exact context, potentially altering the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'рой' often appears in folklore and literature, such as in stories about bees, symbolizing community and productivity (e.g., in Slavic myths where bee swarms represent abundance). This reflects Russia's historical agrarian roots, where beekeeping was a valued tradition, adding a layer of positive connotation beyond the literal meaning.

Related Concepts:

• Пчела (pčela) - Bee
• Толпа (tolpa) - Crowd
• Стая (staja) - Flock