Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bean'

English Word: bean

Key Russian Translations:

• боб [bob] - [Formal, Singular, General term for bean]
• фасоль [fɐˈsolʲ] - [Informal, Commonly used for specific types like kidney beans]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in culinary contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

боб: [bob]

Note on боб: The stress is on the single syllable, pronounced with a short, clear 'o' sound.

фасоль: [fɐˈsolʲ]

Note on фасоль: Stress falls on the second syllable ('sol'), with a soft 'l' sound at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Bean as a general edible seed (e.g., in cooking)

Translation(s) & Context:

• боб - Used in formal or scientific contexts to refer to beans as a category of legumes.
• фасоль - More common in everyday speech, especially for specific varieties like kidney or green beans.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил фасоль для супа.

  I bought beans for the soup.

• Бобы богаты белком.

  Beans are rich in protein.

• Ты любишь красную фасоль?

  Do you like red beans?

• Эти бобы нужно замочить перед варкой.

  These beans need to be soaked before cooking.

• Фасоль растёт в нашем саду.

  Beans grow in our garden.

2. Bean as a slang term (e.g., meaning nothing, as in "doesn't mean beans")

Translation(s) & Context:

• No direct translation for this slang usage. Russian equivalents rely on idiomatic expressions (see Usage Notes).

Usage Examples:

• Это ничего не значит.

  It doesn't mean a thing (equivalent to "doesn't mean beans").

Russian Forms/Inflections:

боб (noun, masculine): Follows standard masculine noun declension in Russian.

фасоль (noun, feminine): Follows standard feminine noun declension, but is typically used in singular form as a collective noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for боб/фасоль:

• горох (peas, related legume)
• чечевица (lentils, related legume)

Note: Synonyms are not exact but refer to related legumes, often used interchangeably in recipes.

Antonyms: None directly applicable for "bean."

Related Phrases:

• красная фасоль - red beans (common variety in Russian cuisine)
• белая фасоль - white beans (another popular variety)
• суп из фасоли - bean soup (a traditional dish)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between боб and фасоль: Use "фасоль" in everyday conversation or when referring to specific types of beans (e.g., kidney beans). Use "боб" in more formal or scientific contexts to denote the broader category of legumes.
• Slang usage: The English slang "doesn't mean beans" has no direct equivalent in Russian. Instead, use expressions like "ничего не значит" (means nothing) or "пустяк" (a trifle).
• Grammar: "фасоль" is often treated as a collective noun and rarely used in plural unless referring to different types of beans.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect word choice: English speakers might overuse "боб" in casual contexts. For example, saying "Я купил боб" sounds overly formal or odd. Correct: "Я купил фасоль."
• Pronunciation mistake: Misplacing stress in "фасоль" (e.g., stressing the first syllable) can make the word unrecognizable. Correct stress is on "сол" [fɐˈsolʲ].

Cultural Notes:

Beans, especially "фасоль," are a staple in Russian cuisine, often used in soups, stews, and salads like "vinegret." They are associated with hearty, traditional meals, particularly in rural households.

Related Concepts:

• горох (peas)
• чечевица (lentils)
• бобовые (legumes, broader category)