Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Corn'

English Word: corn

Key Russian Translations:

• кукуруза [kʊkʊˈruzə] - [General, Most Common]
• маис [ˈmaɪs] - [Formal, Less Common, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кукуруза: [kʊkʊˈruzə]

Note on кукуруза: The stress falls on the third syllable, which is a common pattern in Russian nouns of foreign origin.

маис: [ˈmaɪs]

Note on маис: A shorter, one-syllable word with stress on the vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Corn as a Crop/Grain (General)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кукуруза - Refers to corn as a plant or grain, used in everyday contexts like food or farming.

Usage Examples:

• На поле растёт кукуруза.

  Corn is growing in the field.

• Мы купили кукурузу на рынке.

  We bought corn at the market.

• Кукуруза используется для приготовления попкорна.

  Corn is used to make popcorn.

2. Corn in a Scientific/Formal Context

Translation(s) & Context:

• маис - Used in formal, scientific, or historical discussions about corn as a crop.

Usage Examples:

• Маис был завезён в Европу из Америки.

  Maize was brought to Europe from America.

• Маис является важной сельскохозяйственной культурой.

  Maize is an important agricultural crop.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кукуруза (feminine noun, 1st declension):

маис (masculine noun, 2nd declension):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кукуруза/маис:

• зерновая культура (broad term for grain crop, less specific)

Antonyms:

• None directly applicable

Related Phrases:

• кукурузное поле - Cornfield (a field where corn is grown)
• кукурузный початок - Corn cob (a single ear of corn)
• кукурузная мука - Cornmeal (flour made from corn)

Usage Notes:

• кукуруза is the most common and versatile term for "corn" in Russian, suitable for everyday conversations about food, farming, or general contexts.
• маис is rarely used in casual speech and is more appropriate for academic, historical, or scientific discussions. It may sound overly formal or outdated in daily use.
• Unlike in some English-speaking regions where "corn" can refer to different grains, in Russian, кукуруза specifically refers to maize.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using маис in casual conversation.
  Incorrect: Я купил маис на ужин.
  Correct: Я купил кукурузу на ужин.
  Explanation: Using маис in everyday contexts sounds unnatural and overly formal to native speakers.
• Error: Misplacing stress in кукуруза.
  Incorrect Pronunciation: [ˈkukuruzə]
  Correct Pronunciation: [kʊkʊˈruzə]
  Explanation: Stress on the wrong syllable can lead to misunderstandings or make the word sound non-native.

Cultural Notes:

Corn, or кукуруза, holds a special place in Soviet and Russian history due to Nikita Khrushchev's campaign in the 1950s to promote corn cultivation as a solution to food shortages. This led to the nickname "Khrushchev's corn" and a cultural association with agricultural reform, often referenced humorously in modern Russian media.

Related Concepts:

• пшеница (wheat)
• рожь (rye)
• зерно (grain)