Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'feed'

English Word: feed

Key Russian Translations:

• кормить [kɐrʲˈmʲitʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts like feeding animals or people]
• корм [korm] - [Noun, Masculine, Singular, Used for animal feed or sustenance]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in daily conversations, literature, and media, especially in contexts involving animals or basic needs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations for 'кормить' and noun declensions for 'корм'. For 'фид', it might be A2 for tech-savvy learners due to its borrowed nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кормить: [kɐrʲˈmʲitʲ]

Note on кормить: The stress falls on the second syllable ('mʲitʲ'). Pay attention to the palatalized 'rʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

корм: [korm]

Note on корм: This is a straightforward word with stress on the first syllable; no major variations in standard pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To provide food or nourishment, typically for animals or people (Verb form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• кормить - Used in informal or everyday situations, such as feeding pets or children; common in domestic or agricultural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я кормлю собаку каждый вечер после работы.

  I feed the dog every evening after work. (Shows routine action in a daily context.)

• Мама кормит младенца молоком из бутылочки.

  Mom feeds the baby milk from a bottle. (Illustrates caregiving with a direct object.)

• Фермеры кормят скот свежим сеном зимой.

  Farmers feed the livestock fresh hay in winter. (Demonstrates plural subjects and seasonal context.)

• Он кормит птиц в парке, чтобы помочь им пережить холод.

  He feeds the birds in the park to help them survive the cold. (Highlights altruistic or environmental usage.)

Meaning 2: Food or sustenance provided, especially for animals (Noun form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• корм - Used in practical contexts like agriculture or pet care; can refer to literal feed or metaphorical sustenance.

Usage Examples:

• Этот корм идеален для кошек с аллергией.

  This feed is ideal for cats with allergies. (Emphasizes product-specific usage.)

• В зоопарке всегда есть свежий корм для животных.

  In the zoo, there is always fresh feed for the animals. (Shows institutional context.)

• Купите качественный корм, чтобы поддерживать здоровье собаки.

  Buy quality feed to maintain the dog's health. (Illustrates advisory or health-related usage.)

• Корм для птиц можно найти в любом магазине.

  Bird feed can be found in any store. (Demonstrates general availability.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'кормить' (a first-conjugation verb), it follows regular patterns with inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. It is imperfective, meaning it describes ongoing actions.

For 'корм' (a masculine noun, third declension), it has standard declensions:

Note: 'корм' does not have irregular forms and remains consistent across contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • питать (pitat') - More formal, emphasizing nourishment over feeding.
  • давать есть (dat' yest') - Literal phrase, used in casual speech for giving food.
• Antonyms:
  • голодать (golodat') - To starve or go hungry.
  • отказывать в еде (otkazyvat' v ede) - To deny food.

Related Phrases:

• Корм для животных - Animal feed; refers to sustenance provided in agricultural settings.
• Кормить из рук - To feed from one's hand; implies a close or tame interaction, often with animals.
• Подкармливать птиц - To supplement feed for birds; used in contexts of wildlife care or hobbies.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'кормить' directly corresponds to the English 'feed' as a verb but often implies a ongoing or repeated action due to its imperfective aspect. Use 'корм' for noun forms in practical contexts like pet care. Be mindful of formality: 'кормить' is neutral but can sound intimate in personal settings. When choosing between translations, opt for 'кормить' in verbal contexts and 'корм' for tangible items. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement as per Russian conjugation rules.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'кормить' with 'покормить' (a perfective form meaning 'to feed once'). Correct: Use 'кормить' for ongoing actions, e.g., "Я кормлю собаку" (I feed the dog regularly). Incorrect: "Я покормил собаку" might imply a single instance, leading to misuse in habitual contexts.
• Error: Forgetting noun declensions, e.g., using 'корм' in the wrong case. Correct: In genitive, say "без корма" (without feed). Incorrect: "без корм" – this sounds unnatural and ungrammatical.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, feeding others is a symbol of hospitality and care, often seen in traditions like offering food to guests or in folklore where characters like Baba Yaga use feeding as a motif. The word 'кормить' can carry nurturing connotations, reflecting the cultural emphasis on community and family support.

Related Concepts:

• питание (pitaniye) - Nutrition or diet.
• еда (eda) - Food in general.
• скот (skot) - Livestock, often paired with feeding contexts.