Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'waterway'

English Word: waterway

Key Russian Translations:

• водный путь [ˈvodnɨj ˈputʲ] - [Formal, Used in geographical or navigational contexts]
• канал [kɐˈnal] - [Informal, Specific to man-made waterways]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in discussions about geography, transportation, and environmental topics, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic understanding of Russian noun phrases and prepositions, though "водный путь" follows standard adjective-noun structures)

Pronunciation (Russian):

водный путь: [ˈvodnɨj ˈputʲ]

канал: [kɐˈnal]

Note on водный путь: The stress on the first syllable of "водный" ([ˈvodnɨj]) can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'ы' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A navigable body of water, such as a river, canal, or channel used for transportation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• водный путь - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as shipping or environmental reports.
• канал - Applied when referring to artificial waterways, like irrigation or shipping canals.

Usage Examples:

• Русский река Волга является важным водным путём для грузовых судов.

  The Volga River is an important waterway for cargo ships.

• В городе построили новый канал как водный путь для туристов.

  In the city, they built a new canal as a waterway for tourists.

• Этот водный путь соединяет два озера и используется для рыбалки.

  This waterway connects two lakes and is used for fishing.

• Канал, как водный путь, требует регулярного обслуживания, чтобы избежать наводнений.

  The canal, as a waterway, requires regular maintenance to prevent flooding.

Meaning 2: A route or path through water in a broader metaphorical sense, e.g., in literature or environmental discussions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• водный путь - Often used metaphorically in poetic or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В русской литературе водный путь часто символизирует путь жизни.

  In Russian literature, a waterway often symbolizes the path of life.

• Экологи изучают, как изменить водный путь, чтобы защитить экосистему.

  Ecologists are studying how to alter the waterway to protect the ecosystem.

• Этот старый водный путь теперь превращён в парк для прогулок.

  This old waterway has now been turned into a park for walks.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Водный путь" is a noun phrase where "водный" is an adjective and "путь" is a masculine noun. Russian adjectives and nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Водный" agrees with "путь" in gender, number, and case.

For "путь" (a masculine noun of the 2nd declension), it has regular inflections:

"Канал" is also a masculine noun with similar regular inflections, but it does not change in the nominative and accusative singular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • река (reka) - More specific to natural rivers.
  • пролив (proliv) - For straits or narrow waterways.
• Antonyms:
  • сухопутный путь (sukhoplutnyj put') - Land route, contrasting with water-based paths.
  • воздушный путь (vozdushnyj put') - Air route.

Related Phrases:

• Водный транспорт (vódnyj transpor´t) - Water transport; Refers to vehicles or systems using waterways for movement.
• Морской путь (morskój put') - Sea route; A specific type of waterway for maritime travel.
• Речной трафик (rechnój traffik) - River traffic; Describes the flow of vessels on a waterway.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "водный путь" directly corresponds to "waterway" in formal English contexts, emphasizing its role in navigation. It is typically used in singular form but can be pluralized for multiple routes. Be cautious with prepositions; for example, use "по водному пути" (along the waterway) to indicate movement. When choosing between "водный путь" and "канал," opt for the former for general waterways and the latter for man-made ones to ensure precision.

• Always ensure adjective agreement: "водный" changes based on the noun's case.
• In informal speech, Russians might simplify to "путь по воде," but for accuracy in learning, stick to standard forms.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "водный путь" for "вода путь" (which is incorrect as it omits the adjective's proper form). Incorrect: "Я еду по вода путь" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я еду по водному пути" (I am traveling along the waterway). This error stems from direct word-for-word translation; remember to use the genitive case when necessary, e.g., "на водном пути" for "on the waterway."

• Another common mistake is confusing it with "дорога" (road), leading to misuse in watery contexts. Incorrect usage: Using "дорога" for a river; Correct: Use "водный путь" to specify water-based routes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, waterways like the Volga River (often called a "водный путь") hold historical significance, symbolizing trade routes in imperial Russia and playing a role in literature by authors like Tolstoy. They represent connectivity and exploration, contrasting with Russia's vast landlocked areas, and are celebrated in folk songs and festivals.

Related Concepts:

• река (reka)
• озеро (ozero)
• морской транспорт (morskoy transport)