Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Barbecue'

English Word: barbecue

Key Russian Translations:

• шашлык [ʂɐʂˈlɨk] - [Informal, Common]
• барбекю [bɐrˈbʲekʲu] - [Borrowed Term, Neutral]
• гриль [ɡrʲilʲ] - [Neutral, Refers to the grill equipment or cooking style]

Frequency: Medium (шашлык is widely used; барбекю and гриль are less frequent but recognized)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for шашлык); B1 (Intermediate for барбекю and гриль due to borrowed nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шашлык: [ʂɐʂˈlɨk]

Note on шашлык: The "ш" sound is a retroflex sibilant, distinct from English "sh". Stress is on the second syllable.

барбекю: [bɐrˈbʲekʲu]

Note on барбекю: Borrowed directly from English, pronounced with Russian phonetics. Stress on the second syllable.

гриль: [ɡrʲilʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Grilled Meat Dish (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шашлык - Refers to skewered and grilled meat, a traditional dish in Russian and Central Asian cuisine, often associated with outdoor gatherings.

Usage Examples:

• Мы готовим шашлык на даче каждое лето.

  We cook shashlik at the dacha every summer.

• Ты умеешь мариновать мясо для шашлыка?

  Do you know how to marinate meat for shashlik?

• Шашлык из баранины — мой любимый.

  Shashlik made of lamb is my favorite.

2. Barbecue as a Cooking Method or Event (Borrowed Concept)

Translation(s) & Context:

• барбекю - Used to describe the Western-style barbecue event or cooking method, often in a modern or international context.
• гриль - Refers to grilling as a method or the equipment used for grilling.

Usage Examples:

• Давай устроим барбекю во дворе.

  Let's have a barbecue in the yard.

• У нас есть новый гриль для барбекю.

  We have a new grill for barbecue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

шашлык (Noun, Masculine, Animate):

барбекю (Noun, Neuter, Indeclinable): This is a borrowed term and does not change form regardless of case or number.

гриль (Noun, Masculine, Indeclinable): Another borrowed term, remains unchanged in all forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for шашлык:

• кебаб (kebab, similar concept but less common)

Note: "кебаб" might be used in specific regional or cultural contexts but is less widespread than "шашлык".

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "barbecue" lacks a clear opposite in Russian culinary terms.

Related Phrases:

• готовить шашлык - to cook shashlik (common expression for preparing grilled meat)
• шашлык на мангале - shashlik on a mangal (referring to the traditional grill used for shashlik)
• вечеринка с барбекю - barbecue party (modern usage, borrowed concept)

Usage Notes:

• "шашлык" is the most authentic and widely used term in Russian for grilled skewered meat. It carries a cultural connotation of outdoor gatherings, often associated with picnics or holidays.
• "барбекю" is a direct borrowing from English and is understood in urban or international contexts to refer to a Western-style barbecue event or cooking method.
• "гриль" is often used to describe the equipment or the general concept of grilling, rather than the food itself.
• When choosing between these terms, use "шашлык" for traditional Russian contexts, and "барбекю" for modern or Westernized settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "барбекю" when referring to traditional Russian grilled meat.
  Incorrect: Мы готовим барбекю на природе.
  Correct: Мы готовим шашлык на природе.
  Explanation: "барбекю" may imply a Western-style event, while "шашлык" is the appropriate term for the traditional dish.
• Error: Mispronouncing "шашлык" by stressing the first syllable.
  Explanation: Stress is on the second syllable [ʂɐʂˈlɨk]. Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шашлык" is more than just food; it represents a social ritual often tied to family gatherings, holidays, or trips to the countryside (дача). It is typically made with marinated meat (lamb, pork, or chicken) and cooked on a "мангал" (a metal grill). Offering or preparing shashlik can be seen as a gesture of hospitality.

Related Concepts:

• мангал (mangal - traditional grill for shashlik)
• маринад (marinade - essential for preparing shashlik)
• дача (dacha - country house, common setting for shashlik gatherings)