Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'beluga'

English Word: beluga

Key Russian Translations:

• белуга /bʲɪˈɫuɡə/ - [Formal, Used in scientific, culinary, and general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about marine life, cuisine, or Russian culture, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun inflections and context-specific usage; suitable for learners with foundational Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

белуга: /bʲɪˈɫuɡə/

Note on белуга: The "б" is a soft bilabial sound (/bʲ/), and the "л" can be palatalized, which might be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A type of whale (e.g., the beluga whale)

Translation(s) & Context:

• белуга - Used in marine biology, wildlife discussions, or educational contexts; refers specifically to the white whale species.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В Арктике обитает белуга, которая известна своим белым цветом.

  English: In the Arctic, the beluga lives, known for its white color.

• Русский: Белуга — это умное морское млекопитающее, которое часто изучают ученые.

  English: The beluga is an intelligent marine mammal that scientists often study.

• Русский: Во время экскурсии мы увидели стаю белуг в океане.

  English: During the excursion, we saw a pod of belugas in the ocean.

• Русский: Белуга может жить в холодных водах и общаться с помощью звуков.

  English: The beluga can live in cold waters and communicate using sounds.

• Русский: В зоопарке есть аквариум с белугой для посетителей.

  English: In the zoo, there's an aquarium with a beluga for visitors.

A type of caviar (e.g., beluga caviar from sturgeon)

Translation(s) & Context:

• белуга - Used in culinary contexts, often referring to high-end caviar; implies luxury or gourmet food.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Белуга — это деликатес, который подают в дорогих ресторанах.

  English: Beluga is a delicacy served in expensive restaurants.

• Русский: В России белуга ценится за свой уникальный вкус и текстуру.

  English: In Russia, beluga is valued for its unique taste and texture.

• Русский: Гурманы предпочитают белугу другим видам икры.

  English: Gourmets prefer beluga to other types of caviar.

• Русский: Белуга часто экспортируется как роскошный продукт.

  English: Beluga is often exported as a luxury product.

• Русский: При приготовлении салата мы добавили немного белуги для вкуса.

  English: When preparing the salad, we added a bit of beluga for flavor.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"белуга" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for gender, number, and case. The word is regular but requires attention to case endings, especially in sentences.

Note: As a feminine noun, it does not change in the nominative singular form but inflects predictably across cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • белый кит (white whale) - Often used interchangeably in informal or descriptive contexts, emphasizing color.
  • осетр (sturgeon) - For the caviar sense, as it refers to the fish source, with subtle differences in specificity.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "белуга" is a specific noun without common opposites.

Related Phrases:

• белуга в океане - A beluga in the ocean; used in wildlife or travel descriptions.
• икра белуги - Beluga caviar; a common phrase in culinary contexts, implying luxury.
• охота на белугу - Hunting beluga; refers to historical or regulated practices, with cultural implications.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "белуга" directly corresponds to the English "beluga" in both whale and caviar contexts, but context is key to avoid ambiguity. It is a formal term, often used in scientific, educational, or gourmet settings rather than casual conversation. For learners, pay attention to case inflections—e.g., use genitive "белуги" for possession. When multiple translations exist (e.g., for caviar), choose based on specificity: "белуга" is precise for the sturgeon variety. Grammatically, it pairs well with verbs like "плавать" (to swim) for the whale or "подавать" (to serve) for caviar.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел белуга" instead of "Я видел белугу" (accusative for direct object).

  Correct: "Я видел белугу." Explanation: Russian requires accusative case for direct objects, so adjust endings based on context to avoid grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "белка" (squirrel), leading to mix-ups in meaning.

  Correct: Use "белуга" only for whale or caviar contexts. Explanation: Pay attention to phonetics and context to differentiate, as mispronunciation can lead to semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

"Белуга" holds cultural significance in Russia, particularly in the context of caviar, which symbolizes luxury and tradition in Russian cuisine. The beluga sturgeon is native to Russian rivers like the Volga, and its caviar has been a staple of Russian exports for centuries, often associated with opulence in literature and history. For the whale, it evokes Arctic exploration and indigenous cultures in Russia's northern regions, appearing in folklore as a resilient creature.

Related Concepts:

• кит (whale)
• осетр (sturgeon)
• икра (caviar)
• Арктика (Arctic)