Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cucumber'

English Word: Cucumber

Key Russian Translations:

• огурец [ɐɡʊˈrʲet͡s] - [Common, Singular]
• огурцы [ɐɡʊrˈt͡sɨ] - [Common, Plural]

Frequency: High (Frequently used in everyday contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

огурец: [ɐɡʊˈrʲet͡s]

Note on огурец: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "г" is pronounced as a soft "g" due to the following "у".

огурцы: [ɐɡʊrˈt͡sɨ]

Note on огурцы: Stress shifts to the third syllable in the plural form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Vegetable (Literal Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огурец - Refers to a single cucumber, commonly used in cooking or as a fresh snack.
• огурцы - Plural form, used when referring to multiple cucumbers.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил свежий огурец на рынке.

  I bought a fresh cucumber at the market.

• Огурцы хорошо подходят для салата.

  Cucumbers are great for salads.

• Ты можешь нарезать огурец тонкими ломтиками?

  Can you slice the cucumber into thin pieces?

• Мы выращиваем огурцы в огороде.

  We grow cucumbers in the garden.

• Малосольные огурцы — это традиционная русская закуска.

  Lightly salted cucumbers are a traditional Russian snack.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word огурец is a masculine noun in Russian. It follows the standard declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• корнишон (refers to small cucumbers or gherkins, often pickled)

Note: "корнишон" is a more specific term and usually implies a smaller variety of cucumber.

Antonyms:

• None (No direct antonyms exist for this concrete noun)

Related Phrases:

• малосольный огурец - Lightly salted cucumber, a popular Russian snack.
• огуречный салат - Cucumber salad, a common dish in Russian cuisine.
• свежий как огурец - "Fresh as a cucumber," an idiom meaning to look or feel refreshed.

Usage Notes:

• The word "огурец" is used for a single cucumber, while "огурцы" is used for multiple. Ensure you match the number in your sentence.
• In Russian, cucumbers are often associated with traditional dishes like salads or pickles, so the context of food is very common.
• There are no significant regional variations in the use of "огурец," though diminutive forms like "огурчик" can be used affectionately or to refer to a small cucumber.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Number Usage: English speakers often forget to switch to the plural form "огурцы" when referring to more than one cucumber. For example, saying "Я купил огурец" when you bought multiple is incorrect. Correct: "Я купил огурцы."
• Wrong Case Usage: Beginners often use the nominative case instead of the correct case after prepositions or verbs. For example, saying "Я ем огурец" is correct for accusative, but "Я думаю о огурец" is wrong. Correct: "Я думаю об огурце."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cucumbers, especially pickled or lightly salted ones (малосольные огурцы), are a staple in traditional cuisine. They are often served as a snack with vodka or as part of a larger meal. Cucumbers also feature prominently in summer salads, reflecting the importance of fresh produce in Russian diets.

Related Concepts:

• помидор (tomato)
• салат (salad)
• закуска (snack)