Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'earthworm'

English Word: earthworm

Key Russian Translations:

• земляной червь /zʲɪmˈlʲanəj ˈt͡ɕɛrvʲ/ - [Common, used in general and scientific contexts]
• дождевой червь /ˈdoʒdʲevəj ˈt͡ɕɛrvʲ/ - [Informal, specific to rain-related contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This term is encountered in educational, scientific, or everyday discussions about nature, but not in casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves basic compound nouns and biological vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp it with some exposure to Russian grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

земляной червь: /zʲɪmˈlʲanəj ˈt͡ɕɛrvʲ/

дождевой червь: /ˈdoʒdʲevəj ˈt͡ɕɛrvʲ/

Note on земляной червь: The stress is on the second syllable of "земляной" (/ˈlʲanəj/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l' sound; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The common earth-dwelling worm used in biology or gardening.

Translation(s) & Context:

• земляной червь - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts, such as describing soil ecosystems.
• дождевой червь - Informal variant, often in everyday talk about weather or outdoor observations.

Usage Examples:

• В саду мы часто видим земляных червей, которые улучшают почву.

  In the garden, we often see earthworms that improve the soil.

• Дождевые черви выползают на поверхность после дождя, чтобы избежать затопления.

  Earthworms crawl to the surface after rain to avoid flooding.

• Учёные изучают, как земляные черви влияют на экосистему леса.

  Scientists study how earthworms affect the forest ecosystem.

• В школьном уроке биологии мы разобрали, что дождевые черви являются важными разрыхлителями грунта.

  In our school biology lesson, we learned that earthworms are important soil aerators.

• Если вы копаете в огороде, будьте осторожны с земляными червями, так как они полезны для растений.

  If you're digging in the vegetable garden, be careful with earthworms, as they are beneficial for plants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Земляной червь" is a noun phrase where "земляной" is an adjective and "червь" is a masculine noun. Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. "Червь" follows the standard masculine noun declension pattern, which is regular but requires attention to case endings.

For "дождевой червь", the inflections follow the same pattern as above, with "дождевой" declining as an adjective.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • дождевой червь - Similar to "earthworm" but emphasizes rain-related behavior; used interchangeably in informal speech.
  • грунтовой червь - A more technical synonym, often in agricultural contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • хищник - Refers to predators, contrasting with the harmless, decomposer nature of earthworms.

Related Phrases:

• Земляной червь в почве - Earthworm in the soil; commonly used in discussions about gardening or ecology.
• Дождевые черви после ливня - Earthworms after a downpour; refers to their surface appearance post-rain.
• Полезные черви для компоста - Beneficial worms for compost; highlights their role in waste decomposition.

Usage Notes:

Choose "земляной червь" for general or formal contexts, as it directly corresponds to the English "earthworm" in biological terms. "Дождевой червь" is more specific and informal, often used when discussing weather impacts. Be mindful of adjective-noun agreement in Russian sentences, ensuring the adjective matches the noun's case, number, and gender. This word is neutral in terms of register but may appear in educational or environmental discussions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "червь" alone without the adjective, which can ambiguously refer to any worm, not specifically an earthworm. Correct: Say "земляной червь" to specify. Example of error: "Я видел червь в саду" (could mean any worm); Correct: "Я видел земляного червя в саду" – This ensures precision in biological contexts.
• Mistake: Incorrectly declining the noun, e.g., saying "земляного червей" in genitive plural instead of "земляных червей". Explanation: Russian nouns like "червь" require proper endings based on case; practice declension tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, earthworms are not typically featured in folklore or idioms, but they symbolize fertility and soil health in agricultural traditions. For instance, in rural areas, earthworms are valued for their role in maintaining "чернозём" (black soil), a key element of Russian geography and farming heritage.

Related Concepts:

• грунт (soil)
• биология (biology)
• экосистема (ecosystem)