Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vampire'

English Word: vampire

Key Russian Translations:

• вампир [vɐmˈpʲir] - [Neutral; commonly used in modern contexts like literature and media]

Frequency: Low (This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions of folklore, horror, or fantasy genres.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2; Learners need familiarity with loanwords and basic noun inflections, but it's not overly complex for those at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вампир: [vɐmˈpʲir]

Note on вампир: The stress is on the second syllable ('pʲir'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'p' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The mythical creature that feeds on blood and is often depicted as undead.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вампир - Used in literary, cinematic, or folkloric contexts to describe a supernatural being that drinks blood; neutral and widely applicable in modern Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В темном замке живет древний вампир, который охотится по ночам.

  In the dark castle lives an ancient vampire who hunts at night.

• Героиня фильма влюбилась в вампира, но их любовь обречена.

  The heroine of the film fell in love with a vampire, but their love is doomed.

• В русской фольклоре вампир часто ассоциируется с упырем из легенд.

  In Russian folklore, the vampire is often associated with the upyr from legends.

• Молодой вампир научился контролировать свою жажду крови.

  The young vampire learned to control his thirst for blood.

• Вампир в этой истории предстает как трагическая фигура, а не как монстр.

  In this story, the vampire appears as a tragic figure rather than a monster.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Вампир" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • упырь - Similar to a vampire but often implies a more grotesque, folkloric figure; used in traditional contexts.
  • кровосос - Literally "bloodsucker," more metaphorical and less common for mythical vampires.
• Antonyms:
  • ангел (angel) - Represents purity and goodness, contrasting the dark nature of a vampire.

Related Phrases:

• вампирская легенда - A vampire legend; refers to traditional stories or myths involving vampires.
• охота на вампиров - Vampire hunt; used in contexts of folklore or action stories where vampires are pursued.
• вампирский клан - Vampire clan; describes a group of vampires in fictional narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Вампир" directly corresponds to the English "vampire" and is a loanword from Western folklore, often used in neutral or informal contexts like books, films, or casual discussions. It has no specific gender restrictions but is always masculine in Russian grammar. When choosing between synonyms like "упырь," opt for "вампир" in modern, globalized contexts; "упырь" is more rooted in Slavic traditions. Be mindful of case inflections in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other elements.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [væmˈpaɪər] (influenced by English). Correct: [vɐmˈpʲir]. Explanation: English speakers often forget the Russian palatalization; practice with native audio to master the 'pʲ' sound.

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел вампир" instead of "Я видел вампира" (accusative). Correct: Always inflect based on sentence role. Explanation: This is a common mistake for beginners due to Russian's complex case system; remember to check the noun's function in the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, vampires like "вампир" draw from Slavic folklore, where similar creatures (e.g., upyr) are seen as restless spirits or demons. This ties into broader Eastern European traditions of the undead, influenced by historical beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural, often explored in literature like Pushkin's works or modern media.

Related Concepts:

• волкодлак (werewolf)
• дух (spirit)
• монстр (monster)