Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Clam'

English Word: Clam

Key Russian Translations:

• моллюск [ˈmolʲusk] - [General, Neutral]
• ракушка [rɐˈkuʂkə] - [Informal, Often refers to the shell]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

моллюск: [ˈmolʲusk]

Note on моллюск: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the 'л' is palatalized, sounding softer.

ракушка: [rɐˈkuʂkə]

Note on ракушка: Stress on the second syllable; the final 'а' is reduced in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A type of bivalve mollusk (seafood)

Translation(s) & Context:

• моллюск - Used in scientific or neutral contexts to refer to the animal itself.

Usage Examples:

• Этот моллюск съедобен и часто используется в супах.

  This clam is edible and often used in soups.

• На рынке продаются свежие моллюски.

  Fresh clams are sold at the market.

• Моллюски живут на дне моря.

  Clams live at the bottom of the sea.

2. Shell of a bivalve mollusk

Translation(s) & Context:

• ракушка - Commonly used to refer to the shell rather than the creature, often in casual or poetic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Дети собирали ракушки на пляже.

  The children collected clam shells on the beach.

• Эта ракушка такая красивая, я оставлю её как сувенир.

  This clam shell is so beautiful; I’ll keep it as a souvenir.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

моллюск (Masculine Noun): Follows the second declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

ракушка (Feminine Noun): Follows the first declension pattern. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for моллюск:

• устрица (oyster - specific type, slightly different)
• мидия (mussel - related mollusk)

Note: While these are related, they refer to specific types of mollusks rather than direct synonyms.

Antonyms for моллюск:

• None directly applicable, as "clam" does not have a clear opposite in biological terms.

Related Phrases:

• морские моллюски - Marine clams/mollusks (refers to clams and similar seafood).
• ракушка на память - A shell as a keepsake (common expression for collecting shells as souvenirs).

Usage Notes:

• While "моллюск" is the more accurate and general term for "clam" as a living organism, it is often used in formal or scientific contexts. In everyday speech, especially when referring to shells, "ракушка" is more common.

• Be aware that "ракушка" might not always imply the edible mollusk; it often refers specifically to the shell itself.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ракушка" to refer to a live, edible clam in a culinary context. For example, saying "Я купил ракушку для супа" (I bought a shell for soup) sounds incorrect.

  Correct Usage: Use "моллюск" instead: "Я купил моллюска для супа" (I bought a clam for soup).

• Error: Incorrect declension of "моллюск" or "ракушка" due to unfamiliarity with Russian noun cases.

  Correct Usage: Refer to the declension tables above to ensure proper case usage based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, collecting "ракушки" (shells) from the Black Sea or other coastal areas is a common childhood memory or tourist activity. Clams as food ("моллюски") are less prominent in traditional Russian cuisine compared to Western seafood cultures, but they are increasingly popular in modern restaurants.

Related Concepts:

• устрица (oyster)
• мидия (mussel)
• морепродукты (seafood)