Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'crossbreed'

English Word: crossbreed

Key Russian Translations:

• гибрид /ɡʲɪˈbrʲit/ - [Formal, Scientific contexts]
• помесь /ˈpomʲɪʂ/ - [Informal, Everyday language, particularly for animals]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, agricultural, or biological discussions, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; Requires basic understanding of nouns and scientific vocabulary; For "гибрид", it's straightforward, but "помесь" may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гибрид: /ɡʲɪˈbrʲit/ (The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, and stress falls on the second syllable)

Note on гибрид: Pay attention to the palatalized 'б' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. It sounds softer than in English.

помесь: /ˈpomʲɪʂ/ (Stress on the first syllable; The 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative)

Note on помесь: The ending 'ь' indicates a soft consonant, affecting pronunciation; avoid hardening it as in English words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The result of cross-breeding animals, plants, or organisms to combine traits.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гибрид - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as biology or genetics, to describe intentional hybrid creations.
• помесь - Applied in informal settings, especially for animal breeding, implying a less controlled or accidental mix.

Usage Examples:

• Этот гибрид помидоров был создан для повышения урожайности.

  This crossbreed of tomatoes was created to increase yield.

• В зоопарке есть помесь волка и собаки, которая обладает уникальными чертами.

  In the zoo, there's a crossbreed of a wolf and a dog that has unique traits.

• Селекционеры разрабатывают новый гибрид роз, устойчивый к холоду.

  Breeders are developing a new crossbreed of roses that is resistant to cold.

• Моя кошка — помесь сиамской и персидской породы, поэтому у неё смешанный окрас.

  My cat is a crossbreed of Siamese and Persian breeds, so it has a mixed color.

• Гибрид зерновых культур помогает фермерам бороться с вредителями.

  The crossbreed of grain crops helps farmers fight pests.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "гибрид" and "помесь" are masculine nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. "Гибрид" is more regular, while "помесь" has slight variations based on context.

Note: These words do not change for gender but follow standard pluralization. If used in compounds, inflections remain regular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кросс - Often used interchangeably in breeding contexts, but more specific to crossing lines.
  • смесь - Implies a general mixture, with less emphasis on intentional breeding.
• Antonyms:
  • чистокровный - Refers to a purebred animal or plant, with no mixed ancestry.
  • оригинальный - In some contexts, meaning an original or non-hybrid variety.

Related Phrases:

• Искусственный гибрид - An artificial crossbreed; Used in lab or genetic engineering contexts.
• Естественная помесь - A natural crossbreed; Refers to unintentional mixing in the wild.
• Гибридный сорт - A hybrid variety; Common in agriculture for improved crops.

Usage Notes:

Choose "гибрид" for formal or scientific discussions, as it directly aligns with the English "crossbreed" in technical contexts like biology. "Помесь" is better for informal, everyday scenarios, especially with animals, and carries a connotation of randomness. Be mindful of case endings in Russian sentences; for example, use genitive for possession (e.g., "гибрида собаки" for "of the crossbreed dog"). If the context involves plants, "гибрид" is almost always preferred over "помесь" to maintain precision.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "гибрид" with "помесь": English learners might use "помесь" in scientific writing, which sounds informal. Correct: Use "гибрид" in formal texts; Error example: "Этот помесь растений..." (incorrect); Correct example: "Этот гибрид растений..." – Explanation: "Помесь" implies less control, so it's unsuitable for precise contexts.
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., saying "в гибрид" instead of "в гибриде" (in the crossbreed). Error example: "Я работаю гибрид" (wrong); Correct example: "Я работаю с гибридом" – Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement for prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, crossbreeding has historical ties to agriculture and animal husbandry, especially in rural areas. Terms like "гибрид" gained prominence during the Soviet era with state-sponsored breeding programs for crops and livestock, symbolizing innovation and adaptation to harsh climates. This reflects Russia's emphasis on self-sufficiency in food production.

Related Concepts:

• селекция
• генетика
• чистокровность