Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gill'

English Word: gill

Key Russian Translations:

• жабры /ˈʐabrɨ/ - [Noun, Plural, Used in biological or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in educational, scientific, and everyday discussions about marine biology, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of basic Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to animals and biology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жабры: /ˈʐabrɨ/

Note on жабры: The initial sound /ʐ/ is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 'zh' in 'measure' in English, but more guttural. Stress falls on the first syllable. Be aware of the soft 'ы' sound at the end, which is a common challenge for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The respiratory organ of fish (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жабры - Used in contexts discussing fish anatomy, biology, or environmental science; Informal to formal, depending on the setting (e.g., classroom or scientific paper).

Usage Examples:

• Рыбы дышат жабрами, чтобы извлекать кислород из воды.

  Fish breathe through their gills to extract oxygen from water.

• В аквариуме важно поддерживать чистоту воды, чтобы жабры рыб не повреждались.

  In an aquarium, it's important to keep the water clean so that fish gills aren't damaged.

• У некоторых видов рыб жабры эволюционировали для жизни в пресной воде.

  In some species of fish, gills have evolved for life in fresh water.

• Во время загрязнения рек, жабры рыб часто покрываются токсинами.

  During river pollution, fish gills are often covered with toxins.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"жабры" is a feminine plural noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard plural noun patterns but does not have a singular form in common usage, as it typically refers to multiple structures. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

Note: Since "жабры" is inherently plural, it does not inflect for singular. This is a common feature in Russian for collective anatomical terms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • жаберные пластины (zhabernye plastiny) - More specific, referring to the gill plates; Used in detailed anatomical descriptions.
  • жабры рыб (zhabry ryb) - Essentially the same but with added context; No significant difference in meaning.
• Antonyms:
  • лёгкие (lyogkie) - Lungs; Used to contrast respiratory organs in air-breathing animals.

Related Phrases:

• жабры рыб (gills of fish) - A common phrase in biology; Refers to the specific anatomical feature in ichthyology.
• очистка жабр (cleaning of gills) - Used in contexts of fish care or environmental health; Implies maintenance to ensure proper function.
• жабры как адаптация (gills as an adaptation) - Discusses evolutionary aspects; Often in educational or scientific writing.

Usage Notes:

The English word "gill" corresponds most directly to "жабры" in Russian, particularly in the context of fish anatomy. It is a neutral term without strong regional variations, but it's more common in formal or educational settings rather than everyday speech. When using "жабры," ensure it agrees with the case required by the sentence structure—for example, in genitive case as in "загрязнение жабр" (pollution of gills). If discussing human or non-fish contexts, Russian speakers might clarify with additional words. Choose "жабры" over synonyms when precision is needed in biological discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the singular form incorrectly, e.g., saying "жабра" instead of "жабры," assuming it works like English plurals.

  Correct Usage: "жабры" is always plural; Example: Incorrect: "Эта рыба имеет жабра." Correct: "Эта рыба имеет жабры." Explanation: Russian doesn't use a singular for this term, so learners must memorize its invariable plural nature to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Mispronouncing the initial /ʐ/ sound, often replacing it with /z/ as in "zhabry" sounding like "zhabry" instead of the correct retroflex sound.

  Correct Usage: Practice the /ʐ/ sound; Example: Incorrect Pronunciation: /zabrɨ/. Correct: /ˈʐabrɨ/. Explanation: This can lead to confusion with similar words like "забор" (fence), so accurate pronunciation is key for clear communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, "жабры" is often discussed in the context of biology lessons or environmental issues, such as pollution in rivers like the Volga. It symbolizes adaptation in nature, reflecting Russia's vast aquatic ecosystems. While not tied to specific folklore, it appears in scientific literature and children's education, emphasizing the importance of marine life in a country with extensive waterways.

Related Concepts:

• жаберные крылья (gill covers)
• дыхательная система (respiratory system)
• рыбная биология (fish biology)