Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'weather'

English Word: weather

Key Russian Translations:

• погода [pɐˈɡo.də] - [Common usage; Neutral, Formal or Informal]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday conversations, media, and forecasts in Russian.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Straightforward vocabulary for basic weather discussions, easily learned by new Russian learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

погода: [pɐˈɡo.də]

Note on погода: The stress is on the second syllable ("go"), which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft "d" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to harder consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place, including temperature, humidity, etc.

Translation(s) & Context:

• погода - Used in general contexts for discussing daily weather conditions, such as forecasts or casual conversations. (e.g., In formal reports or informal chats.)

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Сегодня отличная погода для прогулки в парке."

  English: "Today is great weather for a walk in the park."

• Русский: "Какая погода ожидается завтра в Москве?"

  English: "What weather is expected tomorrow in Moscow?"

• Русский: "Летняя погода в России может быть непредсказуемой из-за частых дождей."

  English: "Summer weather in Russia can be unpredictable due to frequent rains."

• Русский: "Погода в горах всегда холоднее, чем в долине."

  English: "The weather in the mountains is always colder than in the valley."

• Русский: "Из-за плохой погоды мы отменили пикник."

  English: "Because of the bad weather, we canceled the picnic."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Погода" is a feminine noun in Russian (from the first declension group). It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • метеоусловия (more technical, used in scientific contexts)
  • атмосферные условия (formal, descriptive alternative)
• Antonyms:
  • буря (storm; implies severe weather)
  • непогода (bad weather; directly opposite in common usage)

Related Phrases:

• Хорошая погода - "Good weather; Often used to describe pleasant conditions for outdoor activities."
• Плохая погода - "Bad weather; Refers to unfavorable conditions like rain or cold."
• Переменная погода - "Variable weather; Indicates unpredictable changes, common in Russian climate discussions."
• Идти на улучшение погоды - "To improve the weather; An idiomatic expression meaning weather is getting better."

Usage Notes:

"Погода" directly corresponds to the English "weather" and is used in a wide range of contexts, from casual talk to formal reports. It is neutral in terms of formality, making it versatile for both everyday conversations and professional settings like weather forecasts. When discussing weather in Russian, remember that adjectives often agree in gender, number, and case with "погода" (e.g., "хорошая погода" for feminine singular). If multiple translations exist, choose "погода" for general use, but opt for more specific terms like "метеоусловия" in scientific contexts to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "погода" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я люблю погода" instead of "Я люблю хорошую погоду" (I love good weather).

  Correct: Ensure adjectives and the noun agree in case; explanation: Russian requires grammatical agreement, which English speakers might overlook.

• Error: Confusing "погода" with "климат" (climate); learners might use "погода" for long-term patterns.

  Correct: Use "погода" for short-term weather and "климат" for overall climate; explanation: This distinction prevents misuse in discussions about geography or environment.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, weather discussions are a common icebreaker in conversations, especially given Russia's vast and varied climate. Phrases like "Русская зима" (Russian winter) often carry connotations of harsh, snowy conditions, symbolizing resilience and national identity in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• климат (climate)
• температура (temperature)
• осадки (precipitation)