Курилы

Russian

Etymology

One theory suggests that the islands' name was ultimately from Ainu クㇽ (a person).

Russian folk etymology claims that this name was also from курить (kuritʹ), which means "to smoke", referring to smoke produced by the volcanoes.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [kʊˈrʲiɫɨ]

Proper noun

Кури́лы • (Kurílym inan pl (genitive Кури́л, plural only, relational adjective кури́льский)

  1. Kuril Islands, Kurils (an archipelago of Sakhalin Oblast, Russia, some of which are claimed by Japan)
    Synonym: Кури́льские острова́ (Kurílʹskije ostrová)

Declension

Synonyms

  • кури́лец (kurílec) (an inhabitant or indigenous person from the Kuril Islands; historical, an Ainu person)

Descendants

  • English: Kuril Islands