Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ant'

English Word: ant

Key Russian Translations:

• муравей [mʊrɐˈvʲej] - [Common, Singular]
• муравьи [mʊrɐˈvʲi] - [Plural]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

муравей: [mʊrɐˈvʲej]

Note on муравей: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'й' at the end is a soft consonant, often challenging for non-native speakers.

муравьи: [mʊrɐˈvʲi]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Insect (Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• муравей - Refers to a single ant, commonly used in scientific or everyday contexts.
• муравьи - Refers to ants in plural, often used when speaking generally about the species or a group.

Usage Examples:

• На кухне ползает муравей.

  An ant is crawling on the kitchen floor.

• Муравьи построили огромный муравейник в лесу.

  Ants built a huge anthill in the forest.

• Этот муравей несёт крошку хлеба.

  This ant is carrying a breadcrumb.

• Муравьи очень трудолюбивы.

  Ants are very hardworking.

• Мы наблюдали за муравьями под микроскопом.

  We observed ants under a microscope.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

муравей (singular, masculine noun) follows the standard declension for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is the declension table:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• нет синонимов (No direct synonyms for "муравей" in common usage)

Antonyms:

• нет антонимов (No direct antonyms, as "ant" is a specific noun without a clear opposite)

Related Phrases:

• муравейник - Anthill; refers to the nest or mound built by ants.
• трудиться как муравей - To work like an ant; an idiom meaning to work very hard or diligently.
• муравьиная кислота - Formic acid; a chemical term related to ants.

Usage Notes:

• The word "муравей" is the singular form and is used when referring to one ant. Use "муравьи" when talking about multiple ants or ants in general.
• This term is neutral in register and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific texts) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversation).
• Be mindful of grammatical case endings, as Russian nouns decline based on their role in a sentence (see the declension table above).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "муравей" instead of "муравьи" when referring to multiple ants. For example, saying "Я вижу муравей" (I see ant) instead of "Я вижу муравьёв" (I see ants) in the accusative plural form. Correction: Adjust the form based on number and case.
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress as [ˈmʊrɐvʲej] instead of [mʊrɐˈvʲej]. Correction: Place the stress on the second syllable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ants (муравьи) are often associated with hard work and diligence, much like in English. The idiom "трудиться как муравей" (to work like an ant) is commonly used to praise someone's industriousness. Additionally, ants appear in Russian fables and children's stories, often symbolizing teamwork and perseverance.

Related Concepts:

• муравейник (anthill)
• насекомое (insect)
• трудолюбие (diligence)