Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'germination'

English Word: germination

Key Russian Translations:

• прорастание [prə.ras.'ta.nʲe] - [Formal, used in scientific or botanical contexts]
• всхожесть [fs'xo.ʒɛsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often in everyday gardening discussions]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily used in botanical, agricultural, or scientific contexts, not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary; for 'прорастание', it's straightforward for learners at this level, but 'всхожесть' may require additional context.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прорастание: [prə.ras.'ta.nʲe]

всхожесть: [fs'xo.ʒɛsʲtʲ]

Note on прорастание: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ta'), which is a common feature in Russian nouns ending in -ание. Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) indicating palatalization.

Note on всхожесть: This word has a softer 'zh' sound, similar to the 's' in 'measure', and the stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The process by which a seed begins to grow and develop into a plant.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прорастание - Used in formal scientific writing or educational contexts, such as biology textbooks.
• всхожесть - Applied in informal settings, like gardening tips, to refer to the ability or rate of seeds germinating.

Usage Examples:

• Процесс прорастания семян зависит от температуры и влажности почвы.

  The process of seed germination depends on the temperature and moisture of the soil.

• Всхожесть пшеницы в этом году оказалась ниже из-за засухи.

  The germination of wheat this year turned out to be lower due to drought.

• Учёные изучают факторы, влияющие на прорастание тропических растений.

  Scientists are studying the factors that influence the germination of tropical plants.

• Для повышения всхожести семян рекомендуется предварительно замочить их в воде.

  To increase seed germination, it is recommended to soak them in water beforehand.

• Прорастание может быть ускорено с помощью специальных ламп для растений.

  Germination can be accelerated using special lamps for plants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'прорастание' and 'всхожесть' are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. 'Прорастание' is a verbal noun derived from the verb 'прорасти' (to sprout), and it is inflected by case and number. 'Всхожесть' is less common but follows similar rules as other nouns ending in -ость.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently in scientific contexts, but if needed, 'прорастания' can become 'прорастаний' in plural genitive for emphasis on multiple processes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пророст (pro-rast) - More literal, referring to the sprout itself.
  • взращивание (vz-rash-i-va-ni-e) - Emphasizes cultivation or nurturing.
• Antonyms:
  • усыхание (u-sy-kha-ni-e) - Withering or drying up.
  • гибель (gi-bel') - Death or perish, in the context of seeds not germinating.

Brief note: 'Пророст' is often used interchangeably with 'прорастание' but implies the result rather than the process.

Related Phrases:

• прорастание семян - The germination of seeds; used in agricultural discussions to describe the initial growth stage.
• ускорение всхожести - Acceleration of germination; common in gardening or biotech contexts.
• процесс прорастания - The process of germination; a phrase for educational or scientific explanations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'прорастание' directly corresponds to the English 'germination' in formal contexts, such as botany or agriculture, and is preferred in written texts. 'Всхожесть' is more about the quality or success rate of germination and is often used in practical scenarios. Be cautious with context: use 'прорастание' for processes and 'всхожесть' for outcomes. Grammatically, these nouns require the appropriate case based on the sentence structure, e.g., genitive after prepositions like 'из-за' (because of). For English learners, choose 'прорастание' when translating scientific texts for precision.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'прорастание' with 'пророст': Learners might use 'пророст' (the sprout) when meaning the process, e.g., incorrectly saying "Пророст семян" instead of "Прорастание семян". Correct: Use 'прорастание' for the action; explanation: 'Пророст' refers to the physical result, not the ongoing process.
• Improper declension: For example, saying "в прорастание" (wrong accusative) instead of "в прорастании" in prepositional case. Correct: Always decline based on context; explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'прорастание' are tied to agricultural heritage, especially in rural areas where farming is prominent. Historically, successful germination symbolized prosperity and was referenced in folk traditions, such as spring festivals celebrating new growth. This reflects Russia's vast agricultural landscapes and the cultural importance of nature in literature like that of Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• взращивание
• семена
• растениеводство