Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bee'

English Word: Bee

Key Russian Translations:

• пчела [ptʃɪˈla] - [Common, Singular, Neutral]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пчела: [ptʃɪˈla]

Note on пчела: The initial "пч" cluster can be challenging for non-native speakers. Ensure the "п" is pronounced distinctly before the "ч".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Insect (A honey-producing insect)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пчела - Used for the general term "bee," especially in the context of honeybees.

Usage Examples:

• Пчела собирает нектар с цветов.

  The bee collects nectar from flowers.

• На пасеке много пчёл.

  There are many bees at the apiary.

• Пчела может ужалить, если её потревожить.

  A bee can sting if disturbed.

• Пчёлы играют важную роль в опылении.

  Bees play an important role in pollination.

• Я видел пчелу на подоконнике.

  I saw a bee on the windowsill.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The Russian word пчела is a feminine noun. It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in "-а". Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Note: Stress shifts to the ending in plural forms (пчёлы, пчёл, etc.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• нет (No direct synonyms for "bee" in common usage, as "пчела" is the standard term.)

Note on Synonyms: While there are no direct synonyms, specific types of bees might be referred to with additional descriptors, e.g., "медоносная пчела" (honeybee).

Antonyms:

• нет (No direct antonyms, as "bee" is a specific noun without an opposite.)

Related Phrases:

• медоносная пчела - Honeybee (a bee that produces honey).
• пчелиный улей - Beehive (a structure where bees live).
• пчелиный мёд - Bee honey (honey produced by bees).
• работать как пчела - To work like a bee (to work very hard, an idiomatic expression).

Usage Notes:

• The word "пчела" is the standard and most commonly used term for "bee" in Russian, applicable in both formal and informal contexts.
• It is often used in scientific, agricultural, and everyday contexts, especially when discussing pollination or honey production.
• In plural form ("пчёлы"), it refers to multiple bees and is frequently used when talking about beekeeping or apiaries.
• Be mindful of stress shifts in declension, as misplacing stress can lead to misunderstandings or sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing "пчела" by omitting the "п" sound or blending it incorrectly with "ч".
  Incorrect: "чела" [ˈtʃela].
  Correct: "пчела" [ptʃɪˈla].
  Explanation: The "пч" cluster must be pronounced distinctly; practice breaking it into "п" and "ч" sounds.
• Error: Incorrect stress in plural forms, e.g., stressing the first syllable in "пчёлы".
  Incorrect: "пче́лы".
  Correct: "пчёлы".
  Explanation: Stress moves to the ending in plural forms; listen to native speakers to internalize this pattern.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, bees and beekeeping hold a significant place, especially in rural traditions. Honey ("мёд") is a staple in Russian cuisine and folk medicine, often associated with health and natural remedies. The phrase "работать как пчела" (to work like a bee) reflects the cultural admiration for bees' industriousness.

Related Concepts:

• улей (hive)
• мёд (honey)
• пасека (apiary)
• опыление (pollination)