Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Daisy'

English Word: Daisy

Key Russian Translations:

• маргаритка [mɐrɡɐˈrʲitkə] - [Common, Neutral]
• ромашка [rɐˈmaʂkə] - [Common, Often used for chamomile-like daisies]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like nature or literature)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

маргаритка: [mɐrɡɐˈrʲitkə]

Note on маргаритка: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'r' is rolled, and 'г' is pronounced as a soft 'g'.

ромашка: [rɐˈmaʂkə]

Note on ромашка: Stress on the second syllable. The 'ш' sounds like 'sh' in "ship."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A type of flower (literal meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• маргаритка - Used specifically for the daisy flower (Bellis perennis), often in formal or botanical contexts.
• ромашка - Commonly refers to chamomile or daisy-like flowers in everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• На лугу растут маргаритки.

  Daisies grow in the meadow.

• Она сплела венок из ромашек.

  She made a wreath of daisies (or chamomile).

• Маргаритки украшают наш сад каждую весну.

  Daisies decorate our garden every spring.

• Ромашка — символ чистоты и невинности.

  The daisy (or chamomile) is a symbol of purity and innocence.

• Давай сорвём несколько ромашек для букета.

  Let’s pick a few daisies for a bouquet.

2. A name or nickname (figurative meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Маргаритка - Sometimes used as a affectionate or poetic nickname derived from the flower.

Usage Examples:

• Он назвал её своей Маргариткой.

  He called her his little Daisy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

маргаритка (feminine noun, 1st declension):

ромашка (feminine noun, 1st declension): Follows similar declension patterns as маргаритка.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for маргаритка/ромашка:

• цветок (general term for flower)

Note: Synonyms are limited as these terms are specific to certain flowers.

Antonyms: None directly applicable for a flower name.

Related Phrases:

• венок из ромашек - A wreath of daisies (or chamomile), often associated with traditional Slavic culture.
• гадать на ромашке - To play "he loves me, he loves me not" with a daisy, a common romantic game.

Usage Notes:

• While both "маргаритка" and "ромашка" can translate to "daisy," "маргаритка" is more precise for the common daisy (Bellis perennis), whereas "ромашка" often refers to chamomile or daisy-like flowers in casual speech.
• Use "ромашка" in everyday contexts or when referring to cultural practices like making wreaths or fortune-telling games.
• Neither term is typically used in formal or technical writing outside of botanical contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "ромашка" with other flowers or using it to refer to any white flower.
  Incorrect: Назови этот подсолнух ромашкой. (Calling a sunflower a daisy.)
  Correct: Ромашка refers specifically to daisies or chamomile-like flowers.
• Error: Mispronouncing "маргаритка" by stressing the wrong syllable. Stress should be on "ри" (mar-ga-RIT-kaə).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "ромашка" (daisy or chamomile) holds symbolic meaning, often associated with innocence, purity, and love. A popular game, "гадать на ромашке" (fortune-telling with a daisy), involves plucking petals while saying "loves me, loves me not" to predict romantic outcomes. Daisies are also commonly used in traditional wreaths during summer festivals like Ivan Kupala Day.

Related Concepts:

• цветы (flowers)
• природа (nature)
• лето (summer)