Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'swimming'

English Word: swimming

Key Russian Translations:

• плавание [/plɐˈvanʲje/] - [Formal, Used in contexts like sports or general activities]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about sports, fitness, and leisure, but not as ubiquitous as basic everyday verbs).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding noun inflections and basic vocabulary related to physical activities).

Pronunciation (Russian):

плавание: /plɐˈvanʲje/

Note on плавание: The stress falls on the second syllable ("va-"), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The activity or sport of moving through water by using the limbs.

Translation(s) & Context:

• плавание - Used in formal or general contexts, such as describing sports, exercise, or recreational activities in water.

Usage Examples:

• Я занимаюсь плаванием три раза в неделю для поддержания формы.

  I do swimming three times a week to stay in shape.

• Плавание — это отличный способ расслабиться после долгого дня.

  Swimming is a great way to relax after a long day.

• В олимпийских играх плавание всегда привлекает много зрителей.

  In the Olympic Games, swimming always attracts many spectators.

• Дети учатся плаванию в бассейне под руководством тренера.

  Children learn swimming in the pool under the guidance of a coach.

• Летнее плавание в реке — одно из любимых занятий в нашей семье.

  Summer swimming in the river is one of our family's favorite activities.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

плавание is a neuter noun in the second declension (2nd conjugation). It follows regular inflection patterns for Russian nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. As a neuter noun, it does not have gender-specific forms but inflects for grammatical cases.

Note: This noun is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • купание (/kuˈpanʲje/) - More informal, often refers to bathing or splashing in water, with a connotation of leisure rather than sport.
  • плавание в воде - A descriptive phrase sometimes used interchangeably in casual contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • ныряние (/nʲɪˈranʲje/) - Diving, which is the opposite in terms of surface vs. submersion activities.

Related Phrases:

• Спортивное плавание - Competitive swimming; used in athletic contexts.
• Плавание в бассейне - Swimming in a pool; refers to controlled, indoor environments.
• Открытое плавание - Open water swimming; implies natural settings like lakes or seas.
• Учебное плавание - Learning to swim; often used for beginners or educational programs.

Usage Notes:

плавание directly corresponds to the English noun "swimming" as an activity or sport. It is typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as in sports discussions or health advice. Be aware of its inflection based on Russian case system; for example, use the genitive form "плавания" when indicating possession (e.g., "любитель плавания" for "swimming enthusiast"). If the context involves the act of swimming rather than the activity, consider the verb "плавать." English learners should choose плавание for noun-based sentences to avoid confusion with verbal forms.

• In informal speech, Russians might use related phrases like "поплавать" (to go for a swim), which is more action-oriented.
• Grammar note: Always ensure agreement with adjectives and other modifiers based on gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Confusing the noun "плавание" with the verb "плавать": Beginners might incorrectly use "плавание" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я плавание каждый день" instead of "Я плаваю каждый день." Correct usage: Use "плавание" for the noun form and "плавать" for the infinitive verb.
• Overlooking case inflections: For example, using "плавание" in the dative case incorrectly as "плавание" instead of "плаванию" in sentences like "Я интересуюсь плаванию" (should be "плаванию"). Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement, so always check the sentence structure.
• Mispronouncing the soft 'н': English speakers might harden it to sound like English "n," leading to /plɐˈvanje/ instead of /plɐˈvanʲje/. This can make the word less intelligible to native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, плавание is often associated with health, fitness, and national pride, especially through Olympic achievements. Russia has a strong tradition in competitive swimming, with figures like Alexander Popov highlighting its importance. Additionally, swimming in natural waters like rivers or the Black Sea is a popular summer activity, reflecting a cultural emphasis on outdoor recreation and resilience in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• бассейн (pool)
• плавать (to swim)
• спорт (sports)
• олимпиада (Olympics)