Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'walk'

English Word: walk

Key Russian Translations:

• ходить [ˈxɐdʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective aspect for repeated or ongoing walking]
• идти [ˈidʲtʲɪ] - [Formal/Neutral, Verb, for purposeful walking or going on foot]
• прогулка [prɐˈɡulʲkə] - [Noun, for a leisurely walk or stroll]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations, literature, and instructions, but varies by context)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb aspects and noun declensions, which can be challenging for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ходить: [ˈxɐdʲɪtʲ]

идти: [ˈidʲtʲɪ]

прогулка: [prɐˈɡulʲkə]

Note on ходить: The 'х' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; be careful with the soft 'дʲ' which affects the preceding vowel.

Note on идти: Stress on the first syllable; the 'тʲ' is palatalized, making it softer.

Note on прогулка: Stress on the second syllable; common in casual speech with slight variations in informal dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Verb: To move on foot at a normal speed

Translation(s) & Context:

• ходить - Used in contexts of habitual or repeated walking, such as daily routines (e.g., walking to work).
• идти - Used for a single instance or directed walking, often implying purpose (e.g., walking to a destination).

Usage Examples:

• Я хожу в парк каждый вечер. (Ya khozhu v park kazhdy vecher.)

  I walk in the park every evening. (This shows habitual action in daily life.)

• Мы идем пешком, потому что погода хорошая. (My idem peshkom, potomu chto pogoda khoroshaya.)

  We are walking on foot because the weather is nice. (Illustrates purposeful walking in a specific situation.)

• Он любит ходить по улицам Москвы. (On lyubit khozhit' po ulitsam Moskvy.)

  He loves walking through the streets of Moscow. (Demonstrates enjoyment in urban exploration.)

• Давайте пойдем в кино пешком. (Davayte poydem v kino peshkom.)

  Let's walk to the cinema. (Shows suggestion for immediate action.)

Noun: An act of walking, especially for pleasure or exercise

Translation(s) & Context:

• прогулка - Used for leisurely walks, such as in parks or nature, often implying relaxation.

Usage Examples:

• У нас была приятная прогулка у реки. (U nas byla priyatnaya progulka u reki.)

  We had a pleasant walk by the river. (Highlights a relaxing outdoor activity.)

• После обеда я делаю короткую прогулку. (Posle obeda ya delayu korotkuyu progulku.)

  After lunch, I take a short walk. (Shows routine health or leisure practice.)

• Прогулка в лесу помогает расслабиться. (Progulka v lesu pomogaet rasslabitsya.)

  A walk in the forest helps to relax. (Emphasizes therapeutic benefits in nature.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For verbs like 'ходить' (imperfective) and 'идти' (imperfective), Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Прогулка' is a feminine noun that declines by case and number.

Note: 'ходить' and 'идти' are irregular in some forms; 'прогулка' follows standard first-declension patterns for feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Шагать (shagat') - More emphatic walking, like striding.
  • Бродить (brodit') - Wandering aimlessly, often used for 'прогулка' contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Бежать (bezhat') - To run.
  • Сидеть (sidet') - To sit, implying inactivity.

Related Phrases:

• Пойти на прогулку (Poyti na progulku) - To go for a walk; used for suggesting outdoor leisure.
• Ходить пешком (Khozit' peshkom) - To walk on foot; common in travel or daily commute contexts.
• Длительная прогулка (Dlitelnaya progulka) - A long walk; implies extended duration for exercise or exploration.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'ходить' is preferred for ongoing or habitual actions, while 'идти' suits one-time or directional movement, making it a closer match to the English 'walk' in imperative contexts. Be mindful of aspect: Russian verbs have perfective counterparts like 'пойти' for 'to go/walk once'. For nouns, 'прогулка' is more formal and leisure-oriented, so use it in contexts involving recreation rather than simple locomotion. When choosing between translations, consider the sentence's tense and purpose to avoid awkwardness.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'ходить' interchangeably with 'идти' without considering aspect. For example, learners might say "Я хожу в магазин" for a single trip, which sounds odd. Correct: "Я иду в магазин" for immediate action. Explanation: 'ходить' implies repetition, so it's better for habits.
• Mistake: Incorrectly declining 'прогулка' in sentences, e.g., saying "в прогулка" instead of "в прогулке". Correct: Use genitive "прогулки" in prepositional phrases. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, walking (e.g., 'прогулка') is often associated with reflection, health, and social bonding, as seen in traditions like evening strolls in parks or along rivers. Historically, figures like Tolstoy depicted walks as moments of philosophical insight, reflecting the introspective nature of Russian literature.

Related Concepts:

• Пеший туризм (Peshiy turizm) - Hiking or walking tourism.
• Бег (Beg) - Running, as a faster alternative.
• Прогулочный маршрут (Progulochny marshrut) - Walking route or path.