американские горки
amerikanskiye gorki
The English phrase "roller coaster" is американские горки (amerikanskiye gorki) in Russian.
американские горки refers to the amusement park ride with steep tracks and sharp curves. This phrase is also used metaphorically to describe a situation characterized by extreme highs and lows, similar to how it is used in English. The word горки can also refer to other types of slides or slopes.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase американские горки literally translates to "American mountains."
How do you pronounce it?
amerikanskiye gorki
Did you know?
- While Russians call the ride американские горки ('American mountains'), the French call it montagnes russes, which means 'Russian mountains'.
- Early Russian ice slides were inspired by the 'Russian mountains' that captivated Europe, creating a cycle of naming that eventually led to the 'American' label.
- The word горки is also used to describe the small, snowy hills used for sledding in Russian winters.
Examples in context
- Жизнь – как американские горки.Life is like a roller coaster ride.This sentence is useful for seeing how американские горки is used metaphorically to compare life to a roller coaster.Tatoeba #3956916 by marafon, translation #3731342 by CM
- Мы посетили знаменитые американские горки в Московском парке развлечений.We visited the famous roller coasters in the Moscow amusement park.
- Вчера мы катались на горках в парке развлечений.Yesterday, we rode the roller coasters in the amusement park.
- Эти американские горки слишком быстрые.Eti amerikanskiye gorki slishkom bystryye.These roller coasters are too fast.
Example conversation
Two friends are standing in front of an amusement park ride.
- Мария MariaАндрей, ты пойдёшь на американские горки?Andrey, ty poydyosh' na amerikanskiye gorki?Andrey, will you go on the roller coaster?
- Андрей AndreyНет, Мария, я их очень боюсь.Net, Mariya, ya ikh ochen' boyus'.No, Maria, I am very afraid of them.
- Мария MariaНо они такие весёлые!No oni takiye vesyolyye!But they are so much fun!
- Андрей AndreyДавай лучше поедим мороженое.Davay luchshe poyedim morozhenoye.Let's go eat ice cream instead.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries американские горки, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
