Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bacterium'

English Word: bacterium

Key Russian Translations:

• бактерия /ba'kte.ri.ja/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, medical, and educational contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бактерия: /ba'kte.ri.ja/

Note on бактерия: The stress is on the third syllable ('ri'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, but this is the standard IPA representation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A single-celled microorganism, often microscopic, that can be beneficial or harmful.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бактерия - Used in formal scientific, medical, or educational contexts to refer to a bacterium, especially in biology or microbiology.

Usage Examples:

• В лаборатории ученые изучают бактерию, которая вызывает инфекции.

  In the laboratory, scientists are studying the bacterium that causes infections.

• Эта бактерия полезна для пищеварения и содержится в йогурте.

  This bacterium is beneficial for digestion and is found in yogurt.

• Под микроскопом видно, как бактерия размножается в питательной среде.

  Under the microscope, you can see how the bacterium multiplies in the nutrient medium.

• Врачи прописали антибиотики для борьбы с этой патогенной бактерией.

  Doctors prescribed antibiotics to fight this pathogenic bacterium.

• Исследования показывают, что бактерия может выживать в экстремальных условиях.

  Research shows that the bacterium can survive in extreme conditions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бактерия" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • микроб (mikrob) - More general term, often used informally for microorganisms.
  • бактер (bakter) - A less common, abbreviated form in scientific slang.
• Antonyms:
  • вирус (virus) - Refers to viruses, which are not living cells like bacteria.

Related Phrases:

• Патогенная бактерия (Patogennaya bakteriya) - Pathogenic bacterium; used in medical contexts to describe harmful bacteria.
• Полезные бактерии (Poleznye bakterii) - Beneficial bacteria; common in discussions about gut health or probiotics.
• Бактериальная инфекция (Bakterialnaya infektsiya) - Bacterial infection; a phrase for describing illnesses caused by bacteria.

Usage Notes:

"Бактерия" directly corresponds to the English "bacterium" in scientific and formal contexts. It is typically used in singular form to refer to a specific type, but can be pluralized as "бактерии" for multiple instances. Be mindful of Russian case endings, as they change based on sentence structure (e.g., accusative for direct objects). In everyday Russian, speakers might prefer simpler terms like "микроб" for informal discussions, so choose "бактерия" for precision in academic or professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: English learners often forget to change the ending, e.g., saying "Я вижу бактерия" instead of "Я вижу бактерию" (I see the bacterium). Correct usage: Always adjust for accusative case after verbs like "видеть" (to see).

• Overgeneralization: Mistaking "бактерия" for all microorganisms, leading to incorrect statements like using it interchangeably with "вирус". Explanation: "Бактерия" specifically means bacterium, not virus; use "вирус" for the latter.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, discussions about bacteria often tie into historical events like the work of microbiologist Louis Pasteur, which influenced Russian medicine. Terms like "бактерия" are prominent in public health campaigns, especially regarding antibiotics and hygiene, reflecting Russia's emphasis on scientific education and healthcare advancements.

Related Concepts:

• вирус (virus)
• микроорганизм (mikroorganizmm)
• инфекция (infektsiya)