Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'waterfall'

English Word: waterfall

Key Russian Translations:

• водопад (/vədɐˈpad/) - [Formal, used in general descriptions of natural features]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in discussions about geography, travel, or nature, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary for natural phenomena)

Pronunciation (Russian):

водопад: /vədɐˈpad/

Note on водопад: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pad"), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -ад. Be mindful of the soft "d" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A natural cascade of water over a rocky surface

Translation(s) & Context:

• водопад - Used in contexts describing geographical features, such as in travel guides or environmental discussions (e.g., in formal writing or educational settings).

Usage Examples:

• Мы посетили красивый водопад в горах Алтая.

  We visited a beautiful waterfall in the Altai Mountains.

• Водопад Ниагары является одним из самых известных в мире.

  Niagara Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world.

• После дождя водопад стал ещё более мощным и шумным.

  After the rain, the waterfall became even more powerful and noisy.

• Туристы фотографируют водопад на фоне заката.

  Tourists are photographing the waterfall against the sunset.

• Водопад в парке привлекает посетителей круглый год.

  The waterfall in the park attracts visitors year-round.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Водопад" is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows regular noun declension patterns in Russian, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: каскад (kaskad) - Often used for man-made or larger cascades; водный поток (vodnyy potok) - More general term for a water flow.
• Antonyms: пустыня (pustyna) - Desert, implying a complete absence of water features.

Related Phrases:

• водопад в лесу - A waterfall in the forest; commonly used in nature descriptions or hiking contexts.
• шум водопада - The sound of a waterfall; refers to the auditory experience in poetic or descriptive writing.
• скрытый водопад - A hidden waterfall; used in adventure or exploration narratives.

Usage Notes:

"Водопад" directly corresponds to the English "waterfall" in most contexts, but it's primarily used for natural formations. In formal or written Russian, it's preferred in geographical or scientific discussions. Be aware of case changes based on sentence structure; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "у" (near). When choosing between synonyms like "каскад," opt for "водопад" for purely natural settings to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "водопад" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу водопад" when it should be "Я вижу водопад" (correct), but commonly erring in phrases like "возле водопад" instead of "возле водопада" (genitive). Correction: Always check the required case; for example, correct: "Возле водопада мы отдохнули" (We rested near the waterfall).
• Mistake: Confusing with "река" (river), leading to misuse in descriptions. Correction: "Река" implies a flowing body of water, while "водопад" specifically denotes a falling cascade; e.g., incorrect: "Река падает с горы" for a waterfall; correct: "Водопад падает с горы."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, waterfalls like those in the Altai Mountains or Caucasus region are often romanticized in literature and folklore as symbols of untamed nature and beauty. For instance, they appear in works by authors like Mikhail Lermontov, evoking themes of adventure and the sublime, which reflects Russia's vast landscapes and national identity.

Related Concepts:

• река (reka) - River
• озеро (ozero) - Lake
• горы (gory) - Mountains