Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voyage'

English Word: voyage

Key Russian Translations:

• путешествие [puˈtʲeʂəstvʲɪje] - [Formal, General use]
• плавание [pləˈvanʲɪje] - [Formal, Specifically for sea or water voyages]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in travel-related contexts, literature, and everyday conversation among Russian speakers)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun inflections and contextual nuances; for 'плавание', it may be B2 due to maritime-specific vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

путешествие: [puˈtʲeʂəstvʲɪje]

плавание: [pləˈvanʲɪje]

Note on путешествие: The 'щ' sound in 'еʂə' is a soft, palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the second syllable.

Note on плавание: The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative; stress on the third syllable, with variations in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A long journey, often implying adventure or exploration (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• путешествие - Used in formal or literary contexts for any extended trip, such as by land, air, or sea.
• плавание - Specifically for voyages involving water, like sailing; used in nautical or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Моё первое путешествие за границу было незабываемым. (My first voyage abroad was unforgettable.)

  English Translation: My first voyage abroad was unforgettable. (This example shows 'путешествие' in a personal, reflective context.)

• Капитан подготовил корабль к длительному плаванию через океан. (The captain prepared the ship for a long voyage across the ocean.)

  English Translation: The captain prepared the ship for a long voyage across the ocean. (Illustrates 'плавание' in a maritime setting, emphasizing preparation.)

• Это путешествие научило меня ценить новые культуры. (This voyage taught me to appreciate new cultures.)

  English Translation: This voyage taught me to appreciate new cultures. (Demonstrates 'путешествие' in an educational or personal growth context.)

• Историческое плавание Колумба изменило мир. (The historical voyage of Columbus changed the world.)

  English Translation: The historical voyage of Columbus changed the world. (Shows 'плавание' in a historical narrative.)

• Во время путешествия мы столкнулись с непредвиденными трудностями. (During the voyage, we encountered unforeseen difficulties.)

  English Translation: During the voyage, we encountered unforeseen difficulties. (Highlights 'путешествие' in a challenging, adventurous scenario.)

Meaning 2: A journey to a distant or exotic place (often metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• путешествие - In metaphorical or poetic contexts, e.g., a journey of the mind or spirit.

Usage Examples:

• Чтение книг — это настоящее путешествие в мир фантазии. (Reading books is a real voyage into the world of fantasy.)

  English Translation: Reading books is a real voyage into the world of fantasy. (This uses 'путешествие' metaphorically for intellectual exploration.)

• Её жизнь стала большим путешествием полным открытий. (Her life became a great voyage full of discoveries.)

  English Translation: Her life became a great voyage full of discoveries. (Illustrates figurative use in biographical contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'путешествие' and 'плавание' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. 'Путешествие' is more commonly used and has regular inflections, while 'плавание' is also regular but context-specific.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • поездка (trip; more casual and shorter duration than путешествие)
  • экскурсия (excursion; implies a guided or organized voyage)
  • прогулка (stroll; for less formal, shorter voyages)
• Antonyms:
  • остановка (stop; implies halting a journey)
  • задержка (delay; opposite in the context of smooth travel)

Related Phrases:

• Долгое путешествие (Long voyage) - Refers to an extended trip, often with challenges.
• Морское плавание (Sea voyage) - Specifically for oceanic travels, common in adventure stories.
• Путешествие во времени (Time voyage) - A metaphorical phrase for time travel in literature or science fiction.

Usage Notes:

'Путешествие' is the most direct equivalent to 'voyage' in general English usage, but choose 'плавание' for contexts involving water or ships to ensure precision. In Russian, these words are often used in formal writing or speech; for everyday talk, 'поездка' might be more appropriate. Pay attention to case inflections when using in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with other words. When selecting between translations, consider the setting: 'плавание' is nautical-specific, while 'путешествие' is versatile across contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'путешествие' interchangeably with 'поездка' without considering duration. For example, learners might say "Моё путешествие в магазин" (My voyage to the store), which sounds overly dramatic.

  Correct: Use 'поездка' for short trips: "Моя поездка в магазин" (My trip to the store). Explanation: 'Путешествие' implies longer, more significant journeys, so it can make simple actions seem exaggerated.

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "в путешествие" incorrectly in certain cases. Incorrect: "Я еду в путешествием" (a made-up error).

  Correct: "Я еду в путешествие" (I am going on a voyage). Explanation: Always check the prepositional case for locations or directions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'путешествие' often evokes literary traditions from authors like Pushkin or Chekhov, who romanticized voyages as paths to self-discovery. 'Плавание' may reference historical events like the voyages of Russian explorers in the 18th-19th centuries, symbolizing national expansion and adventure, which can add a layer of patriotic connotation in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• туризм (tourism)
• авантюра (adventure)
• экспедиция (expedition)