Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'civet'

English Word: civet

Key Russian Translations:

• цивет [ˈtsɨ.vʲɪt] - [Formal, Used in zoological or wildlife contexts]

Frequency: Low (The word 'civet' and its Russian equivalent are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in specialized texts like biology or wildlife documentaries.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to animals, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

цивет: [ˈtsɨ.vʲɪt]

Note on цивет: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'в' sound is soft, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it like "TSEE-vyet" with a soft 'v' similar to the 'v' in "view".

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Meanings and Usage:

A small carnivorous mammal (civet cat) native to Africa and Asia

Translation(s) & Context:

• цивет - Used in formal, scientific, or descriptive contexts when discussing wildlife or animal biology.

Usage Examples:

• В джунглях Африки обитает цивет, известный своей ночной активностью.

  In the jungles of Africa, the civet lives, known for its nocturnal activity.

• Цвет — это мелкое млекопитающее, которое часто изображается в документальных фильмах.

  The civet is a small mammal that is often featured in documentary films.

• В зоопарке мы увидели цивета, который спокойно ел фрукты.

  At the zoo, we saw a civet that was calmly eating fruits.

• Исследователи изучают циветов для понимания их роли в экосистеме.

  Researchers study civets to understand their role in the ecosystem.

• Цвет может быть опасным для домашних животных, если он бродит по саду.

  A civet can be dangerous for pets if it wanders into the garden.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Цвет" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. It is invariable in plural form in some contexts but can change based on case. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its declensions, but pay attention to the soft consonant in certain forms, which is common in Russian nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мускусная кошка (musk deer cat; more descriptive and used interchangeably in casual contexts), виверра (viverrid; for broader family)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific animal name. However, in ecological contexts, it might contrast with domesticated animals like собака (dog).

Related Phrases:

• дикий цивет (wild civet) - Refers to civets in their natural habitat, often used in conservation discussions.
• мускус цивета (civet musk) - The substance extracted from civets, commonly discussed in perfumery contexts.
• охота на циветов (hunting civets) - Phrase related to illegal poaching, highlighting ethical issues.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "цивет" directly corresponds to the English "civet" as a noun for the animal, but it's more commonly used in formal or scientific writing rather than everyday speech. English learners should note that Russian nouns like this require declension based on case, so always adjust for context (e.g., use genitive for possession). If discussing the substance (civet musk), specify with additional words like "мускус". Choose "цивет" over synonyms when precision is needed in biological contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "цивет" without declension, e.g., saying "Я видел цивет" in a sentence requiring genitive like "Я видел [цвета]". Correct: "Я видел цвета" (I saw the civet's). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing "цивет" with "цвет" (which means "color" in Russian). Correct: Use "цивет" only for the animal. Explanation: The similarity in spelling can cause mix-ups; always double-check the context to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, civets are not as prominently featured as in some Asian traditions where their musk is used in perfumes and traditional medicine. However, in modern Russia, discussions around civets often tie into environmentalism, as they are protected species in some regions, reflecting broader global concerns about wildlife conservation and poaching.

Related Concepts:

• мускусная кошка
• виверра
• джунгли