Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wetland'

English Word: wetland

Key Russian Translations:

• болото [bɐˈlɔtə] - [Formal, commonly used in ecological and geographical contexts]
• влажные земли [vlɐʐˈnɨjə zɛˈmlʲi] - [Informal, used in broader environmental discussions]
• водно-болотные угодья [ˈvodnə bɐˈlɔtnɨjə uˈgɔdʲjə] - [Formal, technical term in conservation and policy]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in environmental, scientific, and travel-related contexts in Russian media and literature)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and geography-related vocabulary; varies slightly by translation, with 'болото' being easier for beginners and 'водно-болотные угодья' more challenging for advanced learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

болото: [bɐˈlɔtə]

влажные земли: [vlɐʐˈnɨjə zɛˈmlʲi]

водно-болотные угодья: [ˈvodnə bɐˈlɔtnɨjə uˈgɔdʲjə]

Note on болото: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A low-lying area of land that is saturated with moisture, often supporting specific flora and fauna.

Translation(s) & Context:

• болото - Used in everyday and scientific contexts to describe swamps or marshy areas; common in nature descriptions.
• влажные земли - Informal for general wetlands in casual conversations, such as hiking or environmental talks.
• водно-болотные угодья - Formal, official term in legal or conservation contexts, like protected areas.

Usage Examples:

• В этом регионе много болот, которые являются домом для редких птиц.

  In this region, there are many wetlands that are home to rare birds.

• Мы изучаем влажные земли, чтобы понять их роль в экосистеме.

  We are studying the wetlands to understand their role in the ecosystem.

• Правительство охраняет водно-болотные угодья от промышленного загрязнения.

  The government is protecting the wetlands from industrial pollution.

• Болото в лесу может быть опасным для туристов без правильного оборудования.

  The wetland in the forest can be dangerous for tourists without proper equipment.

• Эти влажные земли привлекают множество энтомологов для исследования насекомых.

  These wetlands attract many entomologists for insect research.

2. In a metaphorical sense, an area prone to flooding or instability (e.g., in urban planning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• болото - Used metaphorically for unstable or problematic areas, like in social or economic discussions.
• водно-болотные угодья - Less common in metaphors, but can imply bureaucratic or complex systems.

Usage Examples:

• Этот район превратился в настоящее болото из-за частых наводнений.

  This area has turned into a real wetland due to frequent floods.

• Бюрократия в компании стала как водно-болотные угодья, затрудняя любые изменения.

  The bureaucracy in the company has become like wetlands, making any changes difficult.

• Влажные земли вокруг города требуют инженерных решений для предотвращения эрозии.

  The wetlands around the city require engineering solutions to prevent erosion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'болото' is a neuter noun in the second declension, which follows regular patterns in Russian. It changes based on case and number. Below is a table for its declensions:

'влажные земли' is a phrase where 'влажные' (adjective) declines as a plural feminine noun: Nominative: влажные земли; Genitive: влажных земель, etc. It follows standard adjective-noun agreement rules.

'водно-болотные угодья' is a compound noun phrase; 'угодья' (neuter plural) is invariant in most cases but can decline as: Genitive: водно-болотных угодий.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: трясина (more specific to quagmire), топь (marshy area), заболоченная территория (flooded land)
• Antonyms: пустыня (desert, as it represents the opposite dry environment), сухая земля (dry land)

Note: 'Трясина' often implies a more dangerous, quicksand-like quality, while 'топь' is used for shallower marshes.

Related Phrases:

• Болото в лесу - A forested wetland, often referring to swampy woods in ecological contexts.
• Водно-болотные угодья под охраной - Protected wetlands, used in conservation discussions.
• Разработка влажных земель - Development of wetlands, implying environmental impact in urban planning.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'болото' directly corresponds to 'wetland' in natural settings but can carry a negative connotation of danger or inhospitability, unlike the neutral English term. Use 'водно-болотные угодья' for formal or official contexts, such as environmental reports. Be mindful of gender agreement when combining with adjectives or verbs. For English speakers, remember that Russian nouns decline, so context dictates the form (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, opt for 'болото' in everyday speech and 'влажные земли' in informal writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'болото' interchangeably with 'озеро' (lake), thinking all water bodies are similar. Correct: 'Болото' implies saturated land, not open water. Example of error: "Это озеро полное птиц" (incorrect for wetlands). Correct: "Это болото полное птиц." Explanation: Wetlands are land-based with water, not distinct bodies like lakes.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "в болото" when it should be "в болоте" in prepositional case. Correct: Always adjust for case to avoid grammatical errors. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, wetlands like those in Siberia or the Russian Far East are often depicted in literature (e.g., in works by Chekhov or modern ecology-focused stories) as mysterious, resource-rich areas that symbolize both natural beauty and potential danger. They play a key role in folklore, representing places of adventure or hidden treasures, but also environmental challenges like in the context of climate change discussions today.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• озеро (lake)
• лес (forest)
• экосистема (ecosystem)