Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tusk'

English Word: tusk

Key Russian Translations:

• клык [ˈklɨk] - [Formal, commonly used for animal fangs or tusks in general contexts]
• бивень [bʲɪˈvʲenʲ] - [Formal, specifically for large tusks like those of elephants or walruses]

Frequency: Medium (This word appears in contexts related to biology, wildlife, or historical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to animal anatomy; learners at this level should grasp it with practice, though "клык" and "бивень" may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

клык: [ˈklɨk]

Note on клык: The "ы" sound is a distinct back vowel in Russian, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a deeper "i" as in "bit." Pronounce with stress on the first syllable.

бивень: [bʲɪˈvʲenʲ]

Note on бивень: The palatalized "bʲ" and "vʲ" sounds require soft pronunciation; think of a slight "y" glide after the consonants. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A long, pointed tooth protruding from the mouth of certain animals, such as elephants or walruses.

Translation(s) & Context:

• клык - Used in general descriptions of animal teeth, especially in wildlife or veterinary contexts; suitable for both formal and informal discussions.
• бивень - Preferred in contexts involving large mammals like elephants, often in historical, cultural, or scientific settings; implies a larger, more prominent structure.

Usage Examples:

• Волк показал свои острые клыки, защищая свою территорию.

  The wolf bared its sharp tusks to defend its territory.

• Слоны используют бивни для добычи пищи и в ритуалах.

  Elephants use their tusks for foraging and in rituals.

• Морж имеет длинные клыки, которые помогают ему в охоте.

  The walrus has long tusks that aid it in hunting.

• В музее выставлены древние бивни мамонта.

  The museum displays ancient mammoth tusks.

• Охотники осторожно обходят животных с большими клыками.

  Hunters carefully avoid animals with large tusks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "клык" and "бивень" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. "клык" is a third-declension noun with some irregularities, while "бивень" is more regular. Below is a table outlining their key inflections:

Note: These nouns do not change in gender or have verbal forms, as they are not verbs. Learners should pay attention to the genitive and instrumental cases, which are common in descriptive sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зуб (tooth) - A more general term, often used interchangeably but less specific to protruding structures.
  • рог (horn) - Sometimes confused, but applies to antler-like structures; use with caution as it's not exact.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "tusk" is a physical feature without clear opposites. However, in broader contexts, words like "беззубый" (toothless) could imply absence.

Related Phrases:

• Слоновый бивень - Refers to an elephant tusk; commonly used in discussions about ivory or wildlife conservation.
• Острый клык - Means a sharp tusk; often in contexts describing predators or danger.
• Бивни мамонта - Elephant tusks from mammoths; used in historical or archaeological phrases.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "клык" is the more versatile translation for "tusk" and can be used in everyday or scientific contexts, while "бивень" is reserved for larger, iconic tusks like those of elephants. English speakers should note that Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence. For example, choose "клык" for general animal anatomy and "бивень" when emphasizing cultural or historical significance, such as in discussions of ivory trade. Be mindful of formal contexts where these words appear in literature or media.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "клык" with "зуб" (tooth): English learners often use "зуб" interchangeably, but it's too general. Error example: "Слон имеет зуб" (incorrect). Correct: "Слон имеет бивень." Explanation: "Бивень" specifies the protruding tusk, while "зуб" refers to any tooth.

• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., saying "Я вижу клык волка" but incorrectly using "клыка волка" in genitive contexts. Error: "Я иду к клык" (should be "к клыку"). Correct: Always decline based on sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "бивень" often evokes historical and environmental contexts, such as the ivory trade in Siberia or the extinct woolly mammoth, which symbolizes Russia's prehistoric heritage. This word appears in folklore and literature, like in stories about Siberian hunters, highlighting themes of nature and survival.

Related Concepts:

• зуб (tooth)
• рог (horn)
• кожа (hide or skin, often discussed alongside animal features)