Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'turf'

English Word: turf

Key Russian Translations:

• дерн (/dʲern/) - [Formal, Noun, Used in contexts related to gardening or sports]
• газон (/ɡɐˈzon/) - [Informal, Noun, Plural: газоны, Used for manicured lawns or public spaces]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized contexts like agriculture, sports, and everyday descriptions of landscapes, but not in general conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves basic noun declensions and contextual usage, suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дерн: /dʲern/ (The 'дʲ' is a palatalized 'd' sound, similar to 'dy' in 'duty'. Stress on the first syllable.)

газон: /ɡɐˈzon/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'з' is pronounced like 'z' in 'zebra'.)

Note on дерн: Be cautious with the palatalization; non-native speakers often soften it too much, making it sound like 'dyern' instead of the crisp /dʲern/.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Grass covering or sod (e.g., in sports fields or gardens)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дерн - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing natural grass layers.
• газон - Used for cultivated or urban settings, like parks or lawns.

Usage Examples:

• В футбольном поле был свежий дерн, который только что уложили.

  The football field had fresh turf that had just been laid.

• Осенью мы пересадили газон в саду, чтобы он лучше рос.

  In the autumn, we transplanted the turf in the garden so it would grow better.

• Дерн на стадионе выдерживает тяжелые нагрузки от игроков.

  The turf on the stadium withstands heavy loads from the players.

• Этот газон требует регулярного полива, чтобы не высох.

  This turf needs regular watering so it doesn't dry out.

• В парке дети играют на мягком дерне под деревьями.

  In the park, children play on the soft turf under the trees.

Meaning 2: Territory or domain (slang, e.g., in contexts like gang territories)

Translation(s) & Context:

• территория (/tʲɪrʲɪˈtorʲɪjə/) - Used in informal or slang contexts to mean a claimed area, often with implications of control.

Usage Examples:

• Эта улица — их территория, так что лучше не заходить.

  This street is their turf, so it's better not to go there.

• В криминальном мире каждый бандит охраняет свою территорию.

  In the criminal world, every gang protects its own turf.

• Территория этого района контролируется местными жителями.

  The turf of this neighborhood is controlled by the local residents.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are masculine nouns, which follow standard Russian declension patterns. 'Дерн' is a third-declension noun with some irregularities, while 'газон' is more regular.

Note: 'Дерн' does not change in the plural for some forms due to its nature as a mass noun in certain contexts, making it less variable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грунт (ground or soil) - More general, used for earthy substances.
  • лужайка (lawn or meadow) - Similar to газон, but implies a smaller, natural area.
• Antonyms:
  • пустыня (desert) - Represents the opposite of lush, grassy areas.
  • асфальт (asphalt) - For man-made surfaces contrasting with natural turf.

Related Phrases:

• Зелёный газон - A common phrase for "green turf," often used in landscaping contexts.
• Охранять территорию - Meaning "to guard one's turf," implying protection of an area in slang.
• Дерн для футбольного поля - Refers to "turf for a football field," a practical phrase in sports.

Usage Notes:

'Turf' in English often corresponds to 'дерн' or 'газон' in Russian for the grass meaning, but choose based on context: 'дерн' for wild or uncut grass, and 'газон' for maintained areas. In slang for territory, 'территория' is more neutral and widely used. Be mindful of gender agreements in sentences, as these are masculine nouns. For learners, note that Russian nouns require case changes, which can affect word order in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'дерн' interchangeably with 'газон' without context. Incorrect: "Я сажаю газон в поле" (if it's wild turf). Correct: "Я сажаю дерн в поле." Explanation: 'Газон' implies cultivation, so it's inappropriate for natural settings.
• Mistake: Forgetting declension in sentences, e.g., saying "на дерн" instead of "на дерне" in prepositional case. Incorrect: "Я сижу на дерн." Correct: "Я сижу на дерне." Explanation: Proper case usage ensures grammatical accuracy in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'газон' often symbolizes public spaces and community, as seen in parks like those in Moscow, where maintaining green turf reflects national pride in urban planning. Conversely, 'территория' in slang can evoke themes from Russian literature and films about territorial disputes, highlighting social hierarchies.

Related Concepts:

• почва (soil)
• луг (meadow)
• район (district or area)