Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'egg'

English Word: egg

Key Russian Translations:

• яйцо [/ˈjaɪtsə/] - [Formal, Singular, Common noun]

Frequency: High (The word is very commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, especially in contexts related to food, biology, and idioms.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary with basic grammar, suitable for new learners of Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

яйцо: /ˈjaɪtsə/ (The stress is on the first syllable, with a soft 'й' sound similar to 'y' in "yes".)

Note on яйцо: Be mindful of the palatalized 'ц' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it’s softer than a standard 'ts' in English words like "cats". Pronounce it as in "bits" but with a slight glide.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A reproductive body produced by female birds, reptiles, etc., often used as food.

Translation(s) & Context:

• яйцо - Used in general, everyday contexts for chicken eggs or eggs in cooking; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я сварил яйцо на завтрак. (I boiled an egg for breakfast.)

  Translation: I boiled an egg for breakfast. (This example shows the word in a simple daily routine context.)

• В супермаркете есть свежие яйца. (There are fresh eggs in the supermarket.)

  Translation: There are fresh eggs in the supermarket. (Illustrates plural usage in a shopping scenario.)

• Ее рецепт включает три яйца. (Her recipe includes three eggs.)

  Translation: Her recipe includes three eggs. (Demonstrates the word in a culinary context with numbers.)

• Птица снесла яйцо в гнезде. (The bird laid an egg in the nest.)

  Translation: The bird laid an egg in the nest. (Shows biological or natural usage.)

• Яйцо в салате придает ему вкус. (The egg in the salad gives it flavor.)

  Translation: The egg in the salad gives it flavor. (Highlights the word in a descriptive food context.)

Meaning 2: Metaphorical or idiomatic use, e.g., referring to something fragile or a starting point.

Translation(s) & Context:

• яйцо - In idioms, like "золотое яйцо" (golden egg), meaning something valuable; used in informal storytelling or proverbs.

Usage Examples:

• Это как курица, несущая золотые яйца. (This is like a hen laying golden eggs.)

  Translation: This is like a hen laying golden eggs. (Idiomatic expression for a valuable source.)

• Идея была яйцом, из которого вырос проект. (The idea was an egg from which the project grew.)

  Translation: The idea was an egg from which the project grew. (Metaphorical for origins or beginnings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

яйцо is a neuter noun in Russian, which means it follows the standard declension patterns for third-declension neuter nouns. It is not irregular but has variations based on case and number.

Note: This noun does not change in gender but varies by case as shown. For compound words like "куриное яйцо" (chicken egg), the inflections apply primarily to "яйцо".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • яичко (a diminutive form, used for smaller eggs or in affectionate contexts; implies endearment or informality)
  • яйцо куриное (specifically for chicken eggs, more descriptive in formal or culinary contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • не имеет прямых антонимов (No direct antonyms, as it's a concrete noun; however, in metaphorical contexts, something like "конец" (end) could contrast with "начало" related to egg as a origin.)

Related Phrases:

• Золотое яйцо (Golden egg) - A phrase meaning a valuable opportunity or source of wealth; used in business or storytelling contexts.
• Сваренное вкрутую яйцо (Hard-boiled egg) - Refers to a specific cooking method; common in recipes or daily conversations.
• Яйца всмятку (Soft-boiled eggs) - Describes eggs cooked lightly; often used in culinary discussions.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "яйцо" directly corresponds to the English "egg" in most contexts, particularly as a noun for the food item. It is versatile and can be used in both formal (e.g., scientific or written descriptions) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). When choosing between translations, "яйцо" is the standard and most neutral option; use diminutives like "яичко" for affectionate or child-directed speech. Grammatically, always consider Russian case endings to match the sentence structure, as English speakers often overlook this. For example, in prepositional phrases, it becomes "в яйце" (in the egg).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "яйца" (genitive singular) incorrectly in nominative contexts, e.g., saying "Яйца на столе" when meaning "The egg is on the table" (correct should be "Яйцо на столе"). Explanation: English learners often confuse cases; remember, nominative is for subjects.

• Error: Omitting inflections in plural forms, e.g., saying "Яйцо" instead of "Яйца" for multiple eggs. Correct: "Я купил яйца" (I bought eggs). Explanation: Russian requires plural agreement, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, eggs hold symbolic importance, especially in traditions like Easter where painted eggs (пасхальные яйца) represent new life and resurrection. This ties into Orthodox Christian customs, making "яйцо" not just a everyday word but one with festive connotations during holidays.

Related Concepts:

• курица (chicken)
• птица (bird)
• рецепт (recipe)