Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'eggplant'

English Word: eggplant

Key Russian Translations:

• баклажан [bəkləˈʒan] - [Informal, Common noun for the vegetable]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in everyday contexts related to food and cooking, but not as ubiquitous as basic staples like "apple" or "bread").

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner level; straightforward vocabulary for learners familiar with basic nouns, as per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

баклажан: [bəkləˈʒan]

Note on баклажан: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ʒan"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft "zh" sound (like the "s" in "measure"). Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, such as in Southern Russia where it might sound more like [bɑk.lɑˈʒɑn].

Audio: Play pronunciation audio (Insert actual audio file link or player here).

Meanings and Usage:

The vegetable eggplant (referring to the plant or fruit in culinary contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• баклажан - Used in everyday conversations about food, recipes, or agriculture; common in informal and formal settings like markets or cooking shows.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю есть баклажан в салате.

  I love eating eggplant in a salad. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its use in describing preferences.)

• Баклажан растёт в тёплом климате.

  Eggplant grows in a warm climate. (Demonstrates the noun in a factual statement about agriculture, illustrating subject-predicate structure.)

• В супермаркете я купил свежий баклажан.

  In the supermarket, I bought fresh eggplant. (This shows the word in a narrative context, emphasizing everyday shopping scenarios.)

• Баклажан часто используется в русской кухне для приготовления овощных блюд.

  Eggplant is often used in Russian cuisine for preparing vegetable dishes. (Illustrates the noun in a cultural or descriptive context, showing its role in broader sentences.)

• Мой сад полон баклажанов в лето.

  My garden is full of eggplants in the summer. (This example varies the usage with plural forms and seasonal contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

баклажан is a masculine noun (3rd declension) in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender agreements. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively straightforward for learners. Adjectives agreeing with it will change based on case, number, and gender (e.g., "свежий баклажан" becomes "свежего баклажана" in genitive singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • баклажановый овощ (more descriptive, used in formal or scientific contexts to specify the type of vegetable)
  • синенький (informal dialectal term, especially in some regions, meaning "little blue one")
• Antonyms:
  • фрукт (fruit, as it contrasts with vegetables in categorization)

Related Phrases:

• баклажанная икра - Eggplant caviar (a popular Russian dish made from roasted eggplant; used in culinary contexts to describe appetizers).
• тушеный баклажан - Stewed eggplant (refers to a common cooking method; often in recipes or meal descriptions).
• баклажан в салате - Eggplant in salad (a phrase for everyday meal preparation; highlights its use in fresh dishes).

Usage Notes:

баклажан directly corresponds to the English "eggplant" in most contexts, particularly in food-related discussions. It is a neutral, everyday noun without strong formal/informal distinctions, but avoid using it in poetic or highly literary settings where more descriptive phrases might be preferred. When selecting between translations, stick with баклажан for standard usage; if emphasizing regional varieties, consider context-specific synonyms. Grammatically, always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on its masculine gender and declension patterns.

• In spoken Russian, it's common in markets or recipes, but learners should note that pronunciation errors (e.g., stressing the wrong syllable) can lead to misunderstandings.
• For plural forms, use баклажаны when referring to multiple items, as in shopping lists.

Common Errors:

English learners often mispronounce баклажан by overemphasizing the "zh" sound or confusing it with similar words like "бакалейный" (grocery-related). For example:

• Incorrect: Saying "баклаЖАН" with stress on the first syllable, which might make it sound like a different word.
• Correct: "баклажаН" with stress on the second syllable. Explanation: This error stems from English stress patterns; practice with audio to internalize the correct rhythm.
• Another common mistake is using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я ем баклажан" incorrectly as "Я ем баклажана" in nominative context. Correct usage requires genitive for possession or other cases as needed.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, баклажан is not just a vegetable but a staple in traditional cuisine, often featured in dishes like "baked eggplant" or "eggplant caviar" (баклажанная икра), which has roots in Soviet-era recipes. It symbolizes summer harvests and is associated with healthy, home-cooked meals, reflecting Russia's agricultural heritage and emphasis on seasonal produce.

Related Concepts:

• помидор (tomato)
• перец (pepper)
• овощи (vegetables)