Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'walrus'

English Word: walrus

Key Russian Translations:

• морж /ˈmorʒ/ - [Formal, commonly used in scientific and general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in discussions about wildlife, geography, or Arctic topics, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and their inflections, suitable for learners familiar with animal vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

морж: /ˈmorʒ/ (The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English.)

Note on морж: Pronunciation can vary slightly by dialect; in standard Russian, stress is on the first syllable. Be cautious with the soft 'ж' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large marine mammal with tusks and flippers, native to Arctic regions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• морж - Used in formal, scientific, or descriptive contexts when referring to the animal in wildlife discussions, geography, or literature.

Usage Examples:

• В Арктике морж часто встречается на льдинах.

  In the Arctic, the walrus is often found on ice floes. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its habitat.)

• Морж имеет длинные клыки, которые используются для защиты.

  The walrus has long tusks that are used for defense. (Demonstrates the noun in a sentence describing physical features and behavior.)

• Во время миграции стаи моржей перемещаются на юг.

  During migration, herds of walruses move south. (Illustrates plural usage in a context involving animal behavior and groups.)

• Исследователи изучают популяцию моржа в северных морях.

  Researchers study the walrus population in the northern seas. (Shows the word in a scientific or academic context.)

• Морж — это символ Арктики в русской фольклорной литературе.

  The walrus is a symbol of the Arctic in Russian folk literature. (Highlights cultural or metaphorical usage in broader contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Морж" is a masculine noun (third declension) in Russian. It follows regular inflection patterns for most cases, with some variations in plural forms. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • морской слон (sea lion) - Often used interchangeably in informal contexts, but technically refers to a different animal with similar features.
  • арктический зверь (Arctic beast) - A more general term, used in poetic or descriptive language.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "морж" is a specific animal term. However, in broader contexts, opposites might include land-based animals like "сушеед" (terrestrial animal), though this is not a standard antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Морж на льдине (Walrus on the ice floe) - A common phrase in descriptions of Arctic wildlife, referring to the animal's natural habitat.
• Стая моржей (Herd of walruses) - Used when discussing group behavior or migrations in ecological contexts.
• Морж в русской мифологии (Walrus in Russian mythology) - Refers to cultural representations, often symbolizing endurance in folklore.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation "морж" directly corresponds to the English "walrus" as a specific animal, but it's important to note that Russian often requires correct case usage based on sentence structure. For instance, use the genitive case (моржа) after prepositions like "of" or in possessive constructions. In formal writing, prefer "морж" over more colloquial alternatives. When multiple translations exist, choose based on context: "морж" is standard for precise descriptions, while related terms like "морской слон" might be used informally but can lead to confusion.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "морж" with "морской лев" (sea lion): English learners often mix these due to similar appearances. Incorrect: "Я видел морской лев в океане" (I saw a sea lion in the ocean, but meant walrus). Correct: "Я видел моржа в океане." Explanation: "Морж" specifically denotes the walrus, while "морской лев" is for sea lions; always check the animal's features in context.
• Improper inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative "морж" in all situations. Incorrect: "Я думаю о морж" (I think about walrus). Correct: "Я думаю о морже." Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; genitive "морже" is needed here for "about."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the walrus ("морж") often symbolizes the harsh beauty of the Arctic and is featured in folklore and literature, such as in stories by writers like Mikhail Prishvin. It represents resilience and adaptation to extreme environments, reflecting Russia's historical explorations of the North. This cultural connotation can add depth to its usage in modern contexts, like environmental discussions.

Related Concepts:

• тюлень (seal)
• пингвин (penguin)
• арктический лис (Arctic fox)