Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'talon'

English Word: talon

Key Russian Translations:

• коготь [kɐˈɡotʲ] - [Formal, Singular; Used in contexts related to animals or anatomy]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of wildlife, anatomy, or literature, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp the vocabulary with some exposure to noun declensions in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

коготь: [kɐˈɡotʲ]

Note on коготь: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer; be mindful of the palatalized 'тʲ' at the end, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The claw of a bird of prey or similar sharp appendage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• коготь - Used in formal, scientific, or descriptive contexts, such as in biology or literature; appropriate for singular references to animal claws.

Usage Examples:

• Орел схватил добычу своими когтями.

  The eagle grabbed the prey with its talons.

• В музее экспонируется скелет динозавра с острыми когтями.

  In the museum, a dinosaur skeleton with sharp talons is on display.

• Кошка осторожно вытянула коготь, чтобы почесать ухо.

  The cat carefully extended its talon to scratch its ear.

• В сказках драконы часто изображаются с огромными когтями.

  In fairy tales, dragons are often depicted with enormous talons.

• Охотник заметил следы с глубокими следами от когтей на земле.

  The hunter noticed tracks with deep talon marks on the ground.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Коготь" is a masculine noun in the third declension group in Russian, which means it follows a regular pattern of inflection for case and number. It is not irregular but requires attention to its palatalized endings.

Note: This noun does not change in gender but must agree in case with its modifiers in a sentence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • коготок (a diminutive form, implying a smaller or affectionate reference)
  • крюк (used metaphorically for a hook-like structure, with a slight difference in connotation for non-animal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • крыло (wing, as an opposite feature in birds)

Related Phrases:

• острый коготь - Sharp talon; Used in descriptions of predators or tools.
• коготь хищника - Talon of a predator; Common in wildlife documentaries or educational contexts.
• вытянуть коготь - To extend a talon; Often in animal behavior descriptions, implying action or readiness.

Usage Notes:

"Коготь" directly corresponds to the English "talon" in contexts involving birds of prey or animal anatomy, but it can also apply more broadly to any claw. It is typically used in formal or written Russian rather than casual conversation. When choosing this translation, consider the context: if the English "talon" refers to something metaphorical (e.g., in sports or machinery), "крюк" might be a better fit. Grammatically, always ensure agreement in case, number, and gender with surrounding words. For learners, practice with declensions to avoid errors in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "коготь" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Орел с коготь" instead of "Орел с когтем" (instrumental case for "with").

  Correct: "Орел с когтем" – Explanation: In Russian, prepositions like "с" require the instrumental case, so the noun must inflect accordingly to maintain grammatical harmony.

• Error: Confusing "коготь" with "коготок" and using the diminutive inappropriately, e.g., in a serious scientific description.

  Correct: Use "коготь" for standard references and reserve "коготок" for affectionate or smaller-scale contexts – Explanation: The diminutive can make the description sound overly cute or informal, which may not fit the intended tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, "коготь" often appears in folklore and stories involving animals, such as in tales of eagles or mythical creatures like the Firebird. It symbolizes strength and predation, reflecting historical Russian narratives where nature and wildlife play a significant role in national identity, as seen in works by authors like Pushkin.

Related Concepts:

• клюв (beak)
• перья (feathers)
• хищник (predator)