Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wildlife'

English Word: wildlife

Key Russian Translations:

• дикая природа [ˈdʲikəjə prʲiˈrodə] - [Formal]
• дикая фауна [ˈdʲikəjə ˈfaʊnə] - [Formal, Scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in environmental and nature-related discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and adjectives, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дикая природа: [ˈdʲikəjə prʲiˈrodə]

дикая фауна: [ˈdʲikəjə ˈfaʊnə]

Note on дикая природа: The stress falls on the first syllable of "дикая" (ˈdʲikəjə), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns.

Note on дикая фауна: The word "фауна" is a loanword from Latin, pronounced with a softer "f" sound, and stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Wild animals, plants, and other organisms living in their natural habitats

Translation(s) & Context:

• дикая природа - Used in formal or environmental contexts, such as wildlife conservation talks or documentaries.
• дикая фауна - Employed in scientific or academic settings, emphasizing animal species specifically.

Usage Examples:

• В национальном парке охраняется разнообразная дикая природа.

  In the national park, a diverse wildlife is protected.

• Исследователи изучают дикую фауну в отдаленных регионах Сибири.

  Researchers study wildlife in remote regions of Siberia.

• Дети восторгались дикой природой во время похода в лес.

  The children were amazed by the wildlife during their hike in the forest.

• Правительство ввело законы для защиты дикой фауны от браконьерства.

  The government introduced laws to protect wildlife from poaching.

• Экотуризм помогает сохранять дикую природа в уязвимых экосистемах.

  Ecotourism helps preserve wildlife in vulnerable ecosystems.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"дикая природа" and "дикая фауна" are noun phrases. "Дикая" is an adjective that inflects based on gender, number, and case, while "природа" and "фауна" are feminine singular nouns that follow standard Russian declension patterns.

Note: These forms are regular for feminine nouns and adjectives. "Фауна" is less flexible and often remains invariant in plural forms due to its scientific nature.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фауна (fauna) - More scientific, focusing on animal life.
  • животный мир (animal world) - Broader, everyday term for wildlife ecosystems.
• Antonyms:
  • одомашненные животные (domesticated animals) - Refers to tame or farmed animals.
  • культурные растения (cultivated plants) - Opposite in the context of natural vs. human-modified environments.

Related Phrases:

• защита дикой природы - Protection of wildlife; Used in conservation campaigns to emphasize environmental preservation.
• наблюдение за дикой фауной - Wildlife watching; Common in tourism and educational contexts.
• угрозы дикой природе - Threats to wildlife; Discusses issues like habitat loss in ecological reports.

Usage Notes:

"Дикая природа" directly corresponds to "wildlife" in English, encompassing both animals and plants, and is preferred in formal writing or speeches. "Дикая фауна" is more specific to animal species and is often used in scientific or academic settings. Be mindful of context: in everyday Russian, these terms might be replaced with simpler phrases like "животные в дикой среде" for clarity. Grammatically, always ensure adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. When choosing between translations, opt for "дикая природа" for general use and "дикая фауна" for biology-related topics.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дикая природа" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "за дикая природа" instead of "за дикой природой".

  Correct: "За дикой природой нужно ухаживать" (Wildlife needs to be cared for). Explanation: Russian requires adjectives and nouns to match in case; here, the instrumental case is needed after prepositions like "за".

• Error: Confusing "дикая фауна" with "флора" (flora), leading to misuse in sentences.

  Correct: Use "дикая фауна" for animals only, as in "Исследование дикой фауны" (Study of wildlife), not for plants. Explanation: English speakers might overlook the distinction, but in Russian, precision is key in scientific language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "дикая природа" often evokes the vast, untamed landscapes of Siberia and the Russian Far East, symbolizing national pride and environmental heritage. Concepts like wildlife conservation are tied to historical events, such as the establishment of nature reserves under Soviet policies, which aimed to protect biodiversity amid industrialization.

Related Concepts:

• экология (ecology)
• заповедник (nature reserve)
• браконьерство (poaching)