Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wingless'

English Word: wingless

Key Russian Translations:

• бескрылый [bʲɪˈskrilɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in scientific, literary, or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should be familiar with basic adjectives and their inflections, though the specific vocabulary may require contextual learning.

Pronunciation (Russian):

бескрылый: [bʲɪˈskrilɨj]

Note on бескрылый: The stress falls on the third syllable ("skrilɨj"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'bʲ' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents might soften the 'ɨ' vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Lacking wings or the ability to fly, often used metaphorically or in descriptions of animals, objects, or abstract concepts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бескрылый - Used in formal or scientific contexts to describe entities without wings, such as insects or birds, and can extend to figurative uses like "grounded" ideas in literature.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Этот жук бескрылый и не может летать. (This beetle is wingless and cannot fly.)

  English: This beetle is wingless and cannot fly. (Context: Biological description, simple sentence structure.)

• Русский: В сказке герой был бескрылый, но полон смелости. (In the fairy tale, the hero was wingless but full of courage.)

  English: In the fairy tale, the hero was wingless but full of courage. (Context: Metaphorical use in literature, showing emotional or symbolic application.)

• Русский: Бескрылые насекомые часто адаптируются к жизни на земле. (Wingless insects often adapt to life on the ground.)

  English: Wingless insects often adapt to life on the ground. (Context: Scientific or educational discussion, demonstrating adjective agreement with nouns.)

• Русский: Самолёт был бескрылый из-за повреждения, поэтому он не взлетел. (The plane was wingless due to damage, so it didn't take off.)

  English: The plane was wingless due to damage, so it didn't take off. (Context: Modern, technical scenario, illustrating practical application.)

• Русский: Её мечты были бескрылыми, но она не сдавалась. (Her dreams were wingless, but she didn't give up.)

  English: Her dreams were wingless, but she didn't give up. (Context: Poetic or emotional expression, showing figurative use in everyday language.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бескрылый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not change in short form or comparative degrees in most contexts, as it is not commonly compared.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • безкрылый (bezkrylyi) - Similar meaning, often used interchangeably, but slightly more literal in entomology.
  • не имеющий крыльев (ne imeyushchiy krylyev) - A periphrastic form, used in more descriptive or formal writing for emphasis.
• Antonyms:
  • крылатый (krylatyi) - Directly opposite, meaning "winged" or "flying."
  • летающий (letayushchiy) - Meaning "flying," with a focus on the action rather than the physical attribute.

Related Phrases:

• Бескрылый полёт (Beskrylyi polyot) - Meaning: Flight without wings, often metaphorical for unattainable dreams or grounded aspirations.
• Бескрылые насекомые (Beskrylye nasekomye) - Meaning: Wingless insects, used in scientific or educational contexts to discuss adaptations.
• Бескрылый герой (Beskrylyi geroy) - Meaning: A wingless hero, referring to characters in folklore who overcome limitations, with cultural undertones of resilience.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "бескрылый" directly corresponds to "wingless" in English, primarily as an adjective describing the absence of wings. It is most appropriate in formal, scientific, or literary contexts rather than casual speech. When using this word, ensure proper agreement with the noun it modifies (e.g., gender, number, and case). For English learners, choose "бескрылый" over synonyms like "безкрылый" when a more poetic or precise tone is needed. Be cautious of its metaphorical extensions, which can imply limitation or earthbound qualities, similar to English idioms like "clipped wings."

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrectly inflecting the adjective, e.g., using "бескрылый" with a feminine noun without changing to "бескрылая." Correct: "Бескрылая птица" instead of "Бескрылый птица." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case; this mistake often stems from English's lack of such inflections.

• Error: Overusing in casual conversation, e.g., saying "бескрылый" for something trivial like a broken toy plane. Correct: Use in appropriate contexts only, as it sounds formal. Explanation: Native speakers might opt for simpler phrases, so learners should gauge formality to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and folklore, "бескрылый" often symbolizes human limitations or resilience, as seen in works by authors like Pushkin. For instance, it can evoke themes of grounded reality versus aspiration, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on endurance in the face of adversity, such as in stories of mythical creatures or everyday struggles.

Related Concepts:

• крыло (krylo) - Meaning: Wing.
• полёт (polyot) - Meaning: Flight.
• наземный (nazemnyi) - Meaning: Ground-based or terrestrial.