Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'carrot'

English Word: carrot

Key Russian Translations:

• морковь [mɐrˈkofʲ] - [Common, Singular]
• морковка [mɐrˈkofkə] - [Informal, Singular]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

морковь: [mɐrˈkofʲ]

Note on морковь: The stress falls on the second syllable. The final soft sign (ь) indicates a palatalized consonant but is not pronounced.

морковка: [mɐrˈkofkə]

Note on морковка: Similar stress pattern, with a more colloquial tone due to the diminutive suffix -ка.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal Meaning (Vegetable)

Translation(s) & Context:

• морковь - Used in formal and neutral contexts to refer to the vegetable.
• морковка - Informal, often used in casual speech or when referring to a single carrot affectionately.

Usage Examples:

• Я добавил морковь в суп.

  I added carrot to the soup.

• Купи пару морковок на рынке.

  Buy a couple of carrots at the market.

• Морковь очень полезна для зрения.

  Carrots are very good for eyesight.

• Дети любят грызть морковку.

  Children love to munch on carrots.

• Эта морковь такая сладкая!

  This carrot is so sweet!

2. Figurative Meaning (Incentive or Reward)

Translation(s) & Context:

• морковка - Often used metaphorically in the expression "морковка перед носом" (a carrot in front of the nose) to mean an unattainable incentive.

Usage Examples:

• Эта премия — просто морковка перед носом, её никто не получит.

  This bonus is just a carrot in front of the nose; no one will get it.

• Они обещали повышение, но это была только морковка.

  They promised a promotion, but it was just a carrot.

• Не верь их обещаниям, это очередная морковка.

  Don’t believe their promises; it’s just another carrot.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

морковь (feminine noun, 3rd declension):

морковка (feminine noun, 1st declension): Follows standard feminine noun declension with the diminutive suffix -ка. Plural form: морковки.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• нет (No direct synonyms; морковь/морковка are the primary terms)

Antonyms:

• нет (No direct antonyms for a specific vegetable)

Related Phrases:

• морковка перед носом - "A carrot in front of the nose," meaning an unattainable incentive or reward.
• тертая морковь - "Grated carrot," often used in salads or recipes.
• морковный сок - "Carrot juice," a common health drink.

Usage Notes:

• морковь is the standard and formal term for "carrot" and is used in recipes, scientific contexts, or neutral speech.
• морковка is a diminutive form, often used affectionately or in casual settings. It can also carry a figurative meaning in idiomatic expressions.
• Both terms are widely understood, but choosing between them depends on the tone and context of the conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using морковка in formal writing or speech. Correct Usage: Use морковь in formal contexts, e.g., "В рецепте указано 200 граммов моркови" (The recipe calls for 200 grams of carrots), not "морковки."
• Error: Mispronouncing the stress on морковь as [ˈmɐrkofʲ] instead of [mɐrˈkofʲ]. Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial; incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

Carrots are a staple in Russian cuisine, often used in soups like borscht and salads like "Olivier." The idiomatic use of морковка in "морковка перед носом" reflects a cultural tendency to use vivid imagery for unreachable goals, akin to the English "carrot on a stick."

Related Concepts:

• свёкла (beet)
• картофель (potato)
• овощи (vegetables)