Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'whale'

English Word: whale

Key Russian Translations:

• кит [kʲit] - [Formal, used in general contexts; Plural: киты]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, and everyday discussions about animals)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кит: [kʲit] (The 'к' is a voiceless velar plosive, and 'ʲ' indicates palatalization, making it soft and distinct.)

Note on кит: Be mindful of the palatalized 'к' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers; it sounds softer than a standard 'k' in English words like "kite". Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The large marine mammal (Cetacea order)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кит - Used in contexts related to marine biology, wildlife, or casual conversations about sea animals; appropriate for both formal writing and informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• В океане плавает огромный кит.

  In the ocean, a huge whale is swimming. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its use in descriptive contexts.)

• Киты мигрируют на тысячи километров каждый год.

  Whales migrate thousands of kilometers every year. (Demonstrates plural form and use in factual or educational statements.)

• Мой сын увидел кита в зоопарке впервые.

  My son saw a whale in the zoo for the first time. (Illustrates everyday conversational use with personal experiences.)

• Исследователи изучают популяцию китов в Арктике.

  Researchers are studying the population of whales in the Arctic. (Shows application in scientific or professional contexts.)

• Кит — это одно из самых больших млекопитающих на Земле.

  The whale is one of the largest mammals on Earth. (Emphasizes the noun in a definitional or comparative structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"кит" is a masculine noun in the third declension (third conjugation for nouns). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. If used in compounds, such as "синий кит" (blue whale), inflections apply to the entire phrase as needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: китообразное (more scientific, referring to whale-like creatures), кашалот (specifically for sperm whale) - Note: "китообразное" is used in formal or technical contexts, while "кит" is more general.
• Antonyms: рыба (fish) - Though not a direct antonym, it contrasts as whales are mammals, not fish; акула (shark) - for predatory sea animals.

Related Phrases:

• Голубой кит - Blue whale; a phrase used in marine biology to refer to the largest animal on Earth.
• Охота на китов - Whaling; historically significant in discussions of environmental conservation.
• Кит в океане - Whale in the ocean; a common expression in children's literature or educational materials.

Usage Notes:

"кит" directly corresponds to the English "whale" as a general term for large marine mammals. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is most common in educational, scientific, or narrative contexts. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case, so "кит" must adjust accordingly in sentences (e.g., use genitive "кита" after prepositions like "of"). When multiple translations exist, choose "кит" for everyday use and "китообразное" for technical discussions to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел кит" instead of "Я видел кита" in accusative contexts. Correct: "Я видел кита" (I saw a whale). Explanation: Russian requires accusative case for direct objects, which changes the ending from "кит" to "кита".

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "kit" (meaning "whale" vs. unrelated terms). Correct: Ensure context is marine-related; for example, avoid mixing with "кит" as in a brand name. Explanation: Pronunciation similarities can lead to misunderstandings, so practice with native examples.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, whales often symbolize the vastness of the ocean and environmental themes, as seen in literature like Leo Tolstoy's works or modern ecology discussions. Historically, whaling was part of Russian maritime history in the Arctic, but today, "кит" evokes conservation efforts, reflecting Russia's role in international agreements like those of the International Whaling Commission.

Related Concepts:

• дельфин (dolphin)
• акулa (shark)
• морской котик (sea lion)