Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fungus'

English Word: fungus

Key Russian Translations:

• гриб [ɡrʲip] - [Formal, commonly used in biological and everyday contexts]
• плесень [ˈplʲesʲɪnʲ] - [Informal, specific to mold or mildew]

Frequency: Medium (The word is encountered in scientific, educational, and casual discussions about nature, but not as common in everyday conversation as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to biology, per CEFR standards. For 'плесень', it may be A2 for beginners due to its simpler form.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гриб: [ɡrʲip]

плесень: [ˈplʲesʲɪnʲ]

Note on гриб: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'g' with a slight palatalization. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A type of organism that includes mushrooms, yeasts, molds, and other fungi, often in a biological context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гриб - Used in general biological or natural settings, such as describing forest flora or scientific discussions.
• плесень - Applied specifically to mold or mildew, often in contexts like household issues or food spoilage.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу часто встречаются разные виды грибов, некоторые из них ядовитые.

  In the forest, various types of fungi are often found, some of which are poisonous.

• Гриб на хлебе указывает на то, что продукт испортился.

  The fungus on the bread indicates that the product has spoiled.

• Учёные изучают плесень для разработки новых антибиотиков.

  Scientists study mold to develop new antibiotics.

• После дождя в саду появилось множество грибов, но их не стоит есть без проверки.

  After the rain, many fungi appeared in the garden, but they shouldn't be eaten without checking.

• Плесень в ванной комнате может вызвать аллергию, поэтому её нужно регулярно удалять.

  Mold in the bathroom can cause allergies, so it needs to be removed regularly.

Meaning 2: In a metaphorical or informal sense, referring to something unwanted or proliferating, like in slang for corruption or growth.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гриб - Sometimes used metaphorically, e.g., in phrases about rapid growth or spread.

Usage Examples:

• В городе гриб коррупции распространяется быстро.

  In the city, the fungus of corruption is spreading quickly.

• Этот гриб проблем не позволяет проекту двигаться вперёд.

  This fungus of problems is preventing the project from moving forward.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'гриб' and 'плесень' are nouns. 'Гриб' is a masculine noun of the first declension group, which means it follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. 'Плесень' is a feminine noun and also follows first declension rules.

Note: These are regular inflections, but 'плесень' may have slight variations in informal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грибок (a diminutive form, often for smaller fungi or affectionately)
  • микроскопический гриб (microscopic fungus, more scientific)
• Antonyms:
  • растение (plant; implies something alive and non-fungal)
  • бактерия (bacteria; a different type of microorganism)

Note: 'Грибок' is often used in casual contexts and can imply endearment, whereas 'гриб' is more neutral.

Related Phrases:

• Съедобный гриб - Edible mushroom; commonly used in culinary contexts.
• Ядовитый гриб - Poisonous fungus; refers to dangerous varieties in nature.
• Грибной дождь - Mushroom rain; a phrase for heavy rain that promotes fungal growth, with cultural connotations of abundance.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'гриб' directly corresponds to 'fungus' in biological terms but is also used for mushrooms specifically, which might overlap with English usage. Be mindful of context: in formal or scientific writing, use 'гриб' for accuracy, while 'плесень' is better for mold-related topics. This word doesn't have strong register restrictions but can vary by region—e.g., in rural areas, it's tied to foraging. When choosing between translations, opt for 'гриб' for general fungi and 'плесень' for surface molds. Grammatically, always decline it according to case for proper sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'гриб' with 'грипп' (flu): English learners might mishear or misspelling due to similar sounds. Incorrect: "У меня гриб" (meaning "I have fungus," but could be mistaken for flu). Correct: "У меня гриб на фруктах" (I have fungus on the fruits). Explanation: 'Грипп' is unrelated and means illness, so context is key to avoid confusion.

• Forgetting declension: Learners often use the nominative form everywhere, e.g., saying "Я вижу гриб" instead of "Я вижу гриба" in genitive contexts. Correct usage: In "Я боюсь гриба" (I am afraid of the fungus), it must be genitive. Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, so practice declensions to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'гриб' (fungus, especially mushrooms) holds significant cultural value due to the tradition of mushroom foraging in forests. This activity, known as "тихая охота" (quiet hunting), is a popular pastime, symbolizing self-sufficiency and connection to nature. However, it carries risks from poisonous varieties, reflected in folklore and warnings. This cultural context adds depth to the word beyond its biological meaning.

Related Concepts:

• грибок
• микология
• плесневые грибы