Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fin'

English Word: fin

Key Russian Translations:

• плавник [ˈplavnʲik] - [Noun, Masculine, Informal; commonly used in biological or everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in discussions about marine life, biology, and casual conversations, but not as common in everyday non-specialized language.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic noun declensions and usage in simple sentences, though mastering inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

плавник: [ˈplavnʲik]

Note on плавник: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'в' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative [v], and the final 'к' is a voiceless velar plosive. Be mindful of palatalization in Russian, which affects the 'н' sound. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The flat, membranous appendage on a fish used for stability and propulsion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• плавник - Used in biological, educational, or descriptive contexts, such as describing marine animals. (e.g., In formal writing or scientific discussions.)

Usage Examples:

• Рыба использует плавник для манёвров в воде.

  The fish uses its fin for maneuvering in the water. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its function in a natural habitat.)

• У акулы есть несколько плавников, которые помогают ей в охоте.

  A shark has several fins that help it in hunting. (Demonstrates plural form and association with specific animal behaviors, emphasizing ecological context.)

• Дети учились рисовать плавник рыбы на уроке биологии.

  The children were learning to draw a fish's fin in biology class. (Illustrates usage in an educational setting, with the noun in the accusative case.)

• Плавник дельфина повреждён, что затрудняет его движение.

  The dolphin's fin is damaged, which hinders its movement. (Shows the noun in a descriptive phrase, indicating a problem or state, and varying sentence structure.)

• В океанариуме мы наблюдали, как плавник акулы мелькает в воде.

  In the aquarium, we observed how the shark's fin flashed in the water. (This example uses the noun in a dynamic, observational context, with a focus on visual description.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

плавник is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to case agreement with adjectives and verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ласт (last) - Often used for flippers on marine mammals; slightly more specific to limb-like appendages. плавательный орган (plavatelʹnyy organ) - A more formal, descriptive term for swimming organs.
• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as this is a physical feature; conceptually, opposite might be "absence," e.g., бесхвостый (beshkhostyy) for tailless, but not exact.)

Related Phrases:

• Спинной плавник (Spinnyy plavnik) - Refers to the dorsal fin; commonly used in descriptions of fish anatomy.
• Плавник акулы (Plavnik akuly) - The shark's fin; often appears in stories or documentaries about marine predators.
• Рыбный плавник в супе (Rybnyy plavnik v supe) - Fish fin in soup; a phrase related to culinary contexts, though less common.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translation 'плавник' directly corresponds to the English 'fin' in the context of marine biology, but it's important to note that Russian nouns require case agreement, which can differ from English. For instance, use the genitive case (плавника) when indicating possession. This word is neutral in terms of formality and can be used across contexts, but in scientific writing, pair it with more precise terms. When choosing between synonyms like 'ласт', opt for 'плавник' if describing fish specifically. Learners should practice declensions to avoid errors in complex sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "у рыбы плавник" instead of "у рыбы плавник" (correct), but mistakenly using nominative in all contexts. Correct: "У рыбы повреждён плавник" (The fish's fin is damaged). Explanation: Russian requires case changes based on sentence role; always check for genitive or other cases after prepositions.
• Error: Confusing with similar words like 'плавать' (to swim), leading to misuse in verbs. Correct: Use 'плавник' as a noun only. Explanation: 'Плавник' is not a verb; learners often mix it with action words, so focus on noun phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, references to 'плавник' often appear in literature and folklore involving sea creatures, such as in stories about mermaids or fishing traditions. For example, in Russian fairy tales, fish fins might symbolize adaptation or mystery in aquatic environments, reflecting the country's vast river and sea heritage.

Related Concepts:

• хвост (khvost) - Tail
• чешуя (cheshuya) - Scales
• жабры (zhabry) - Gills