Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Barley'

English Word: barley

Key Russian Translations:

• ячмень [ˈjat͡ʃmʲɪnʲ] - [General, Neutral]
• перловка [pʲɪrˈɫofkə] - [Colloquial, Refers to processed barley or barley groats]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in contexts related to agriculture, food, and cooking)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "ячмень" is easier to learn, while "перловка" may require cultural context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ячмень: [ˈjat͡ʃmʲɪnʲ]

Note on ячмень: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "я" sound is a distinct Russian vowel, pronounced like "ya."

перловка: [pʲɪrˈɫofkə]

Note on перловка: Stress on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled, typical of Russian pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Barley as a Cereal Grain (Agricultural Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ячмень - Used in formal and general contexts to refer to the barley crop or grain.

Usage Examples:

• Ячмень выращивают на полях для корма скота.

  Barley is grown in fields for livestock feed.

• Этот сорт ячменя используется для пива.

  This type of barley is used for beer production.

• Ячмень - важная сельскохозяйственная культура.

  Barley is an important agricultural crop.

2. Barley as a Food Product (Culinary Context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• перловка - Refers to pearl barley, often used in soups or as a side dish in everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• Я сварила суп с перловкой на обед.

  I cooked soup with pearl barley for lunch.

• Перловка - полезная и недорогая крупа.

  Pearl barley is a healthy and inexpensive grain.

• В армии часто готовят перловку.

  In the army, pearl barley is often cooked.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ячмень (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. It declines based on case and number.

перловка (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian. It also declines based on case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ячмень:

• зерно (grain, in a broader sense)

Note: "зерно" is more general and can refer to any grain, while "ячмень" specifically means barley.

Synonyms for перловка:

• перловая крупа (pearl barley groats, more formal)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as barley does not have a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• ячменное пиво - Barley beer (refers to beer made from barley).
• перловый суп - Pearl barley soup (a common dish in Russian cuisine).
• корм из ячменя - Barley feed (used for livestock).

Usage Notes:

• "ячмень" is the standard term for barley as a crop or grain and is used in both formal and informal contexts. It is the direct translation of "barley" in most cases.
• "перловка" specifically refers to processed barley (pearl barley) used in cooking. It is more colloquial and tied to culinary contexts.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between "ячмень" and "перловка." Using "перловка" to refer to the raw grain or crop would be incorrect.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "перловка" to refer to barley in an agricultural context.
  Incorrect: Перловка выращивается на полях. (Pearl barley is grown in fields.)
  Correct: Ячмень выращивается на полях. (Barley is grown in fields.)
  Explanation: "Перловка" refers only to the processed grain, not the raw crop.
• Error: Mispronouncing "ячмень" by stressing the wrong syllable.
  Incorrect: ячмéнь [jat͡ʃˈmʲenʲ]
  Correct: я́чмень [ˈjat͡ʃmʲɪnʲ]
  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial and changes meaning or sounds unnatural if misplaced.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, barley (especially as "перловка") is often associated with traditional cuisine, including soups and porridges. It is also historically linked to Soviet-era diets, where "перловка" was a staple in military and institutional canteens, sometimes carrying a negative connotation of being cheap or unappetizing. Understanding this nuance can help learners grasp the emotional undertones when the word is used colloquially.

Related Concepts:

• пшеница (wheat)
• овёс (oats)
• крупа (groats, grains for cooking)