Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Exuviae'

English Word: Exuviae

Key Russian Translations:

• Экзувия /ɛkˈzu.vʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, Scientific, Singular]
• Линька /ˈlʲinʲ.kə/ - [Informal, General, Plural or Process-related]

Frequency: Low (This term is rarely used in everyday conversation; it's primarily found in scientific, biological, or academic contexts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level; requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and Russian morphology, as "Экзувия" is a borrowed word with specific inflections, while "Линька" is more accessible but context-dependent.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Экзувия: /ɛkˈzu.vʲɪ.jə/

Линька: /ˈlʲinʲ.kə/

Note on Экзувия: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈzu/), which can be tricky for learners due to the foreign origin; pronounce the "э" as a short "e" sound. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The shed skin or exoskeleton of an animal (e.g., in insects or reptiles)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Экзувия - Used in formal scientific writing or discussions about biology, such as in entomology or zoology contexts.
• Линька - Applied in more general or everyday contexts when describing the process of shedding, often in educational or informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Во время линьки бабочки её экзувия остается на земле.

  During the butterfly's molting, its exuviae remain on the ground.

• Учёные изучают экзувию насекомых, чтобы понять их жизненный цикл.

  Scientists study the exuviae of insects to understand their life cycle.

• После линьки змеи её старая кожа, или экзувия, часто лежит в укрытии.

  After a snake sheds its skin, its exuviae often lie in hiding.

• В музее выставлена коллекция экзувий различных членистоногих.

  The museum displays a collection of exuviae from various arthropods.

• Дети наблюдали за линькой ящерицы и нашли её экзувию в саду.

  Children observed a lizard's molting and found its exuviae in the garden.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Экзувия" is a feminine noun (from Latin origin) that follows the first declension pattern in Russian, with regular inflections. "Линька" is also a feminine noun but can vary based on context (e.g., as a process). Below is a table outlining the key inflections:

Note: These are regular inflections. "Экзувия" does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the pattern is learned. "Линька" may remain unchanged in some idiomatic uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Отброшенная оболочка (thrown-off shell; more descriptive and common in general biology)
• Выброшенная кожа (shed skin; used interchangeably in everyday contexts, with a slight emphasis on the physical aspect)
• Antonyms: Живое тело (living body; represents the opposite concept of something intact and alive)

Related Phrases:

• Процесс линьки - The process of molting; refers to the biological shedding cycle.
• Собрать экзувию - To collect exuviae; often used in scientific fieldwork.
• Экзувия насекомого - Exuviae of an insect; a common phrase in entomology studies.

Usage Notes:

Exuviae corresponds most directly to "Экзувия" in formal Russian contexts, especially in scientific literature, where precision is key. Use "Линька" for broader discussions of shedding processes, as it encompasses the action rather than the result. Be mindful of grammatical gender: both are feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly (e.g., "эта экзувия большая" for "this exuviae is large"). In spoken Russian, "Линька" is preferred in informal settings to avoid sounding overly technical. When choosing between translations, opt for "Экзувия" in academic writing and "Линька" in educational or casual conversations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "Экзувия" with "Линька" and using them interchangeably without context. Incorrect: "Линька насекомого" when referring specifically to the shed exoskeleton. Correct: "Экзувия насекомого" for the remnant. Explanation: "Линька" implies the process, not the object, leading to semantic errors.
• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative "Экзувия" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Из экзувия" (should be genitive). Correct: "Из экзувии". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, terms like "Экзувия" are prominent in educational contexts, such as biology classes or museum exhibits, reflecting Russia's strong tradition in natural sciences. It may evoke themes from Russian literature, like in descriptions of nature in works by Chekhov, where animal behaviors symbolize transformation, though not directly tied to this word.

Related Concepts:

• Мутация
• Членистоногие
• Биологический цикл