Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'goldfish'

English Word: goldfish

Key Russian Translations:

• золотая рыбка [zɐlɐˈtajə ˈrɨbkə] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts or fairy tales]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in daily Russian conversation but appears in contexts like pet care, children's stories, or biology.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level; involves understanding noun gender, cases, and compound phrases, which may challenge beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

золотая рыбка: [zɐlɐˈtajə ˈrɨbkə]

Note on золотая рыбка: The stress falls on the second syllable of "рыбка" (ˈrɨbkə). Pronunciation can vary slightly by region, with softer vowels in southern dialects. Pay attention to the palatalized 'л' in "золотая".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The fish (Carassius auratus) - Refers to the common ornamental fish.

Translation(s) & Context:

• золотая рыбка - Used in informal settings, such as talking about pets, aquariums, or in reference to the fairy tale character that grants wishes.

Usage Examples:

• У меня в аквариуме плавает золотая рыбка.

  In my aquarium, a goldfish is swimming. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case in a simple descriptive sentence.)

• Дети обожают кормить золотую рыбку в парке.

  Children love feeding the goldfish in the park. (Illustrates the accusative case in an action-oriented context.)

• Эта золотая рыбка в сказке исполняет желания.

  This goldfish in the fairy tale grants wishes. (Demonstrates usage in a narrative or cultural context.)

• Золотые рыбки требуют чистой воды для здоровья.

  Goldfish require clean water for their health. (Shows plural form and general advice in a practical scenario.)

• Я купил золотую рыбку в подарок дочери.

  I bought a goldfish as a gift for my daughter. (Highlights possessive and gifting contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"золотая рыбка" is a noun phrase where "золотая" is an adjective and "рыбка" is a feminine noun (diminutive of "рыба", meaning fish). It follows standard Russian inflection rules for adjectives and nouns.

For "рыбка" (feminine, first declension):

The adjective "золотая" agrees with "рыбка" in gender, number, and case, making it a regular inflection. This phrase does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: золотой карп (zolotoy karp - more formal or scientific term for goldfish varieties)
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "goldfish" is a specific noun without direct opposites. However, contrasting terms might include пресноводная рыба (presnovodnaya ryba - freshwater fish in general).

Related Phrases:

• волшебная золотая рыбка - A magical goldfish (often from fairy tales, referring to a wish-granting entity; used in storytelling contexts).
• золотая рыбка в аквариуме - Goldfish in an aquarium (common phrase for pet care; implies domestic settings).
• корм для золотой рыбки - Food for goldfish (used in shopping or maintenance discussions; highlights practical applications).

Usage Notes:

"золотая рыбка" directly translates to "goldfish" and is the most accurate and idiomatic choice in Russian. It is typically used in informal or everyday language, especially among children or in recreational contexts. Be mindful of noun cases when constructing sentences; for example, use the genitive case (золотой рыбки) when indicating possession. If discussing fairy tales, this phrase carries cultural connotations. When multiple translations exist (e.g., золотой карп for a more scientific tone), choose based on context—opt for золотая рыбка for general or affectionate references.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу золотая рыбка" instead of "Я вижу золотую рыбку". Correct: The accusative case is required after verbs like "see". Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their role in the sentence; beginners often overlook this.

• Error: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., "Этот золотая рыбка" (incorrect masculine form). Correct: "Эта золотая рыбка" (feminine). Explanation: "Рыбка" is feminine, so adjectives and articles must match; this is a common mistake for English speakers used to gender-neutral nouns.

• Error: Over-literal translation, e.g., using "золотая рыба" without the diminutive. Correct: "золотая рыбка" is preferred for the specific ornamental fish, as it conveys a sense of cuteness. Explanation: The diminutive form adds affection, which is idiomatic in Russian for pets or small animals.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "золотая рыбка" is famously associated with Alexander Pushkin's fairy tale "The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish," where a goldfish grants wishes. This reflects themes of greed and morality in folklore, making the term not just a descriptor of the animal but a symbol of magic and cautionary tales in Russian literature and childhood education.

Related Concepts:

• рыбка (rybka) - General term for a small fish.
• аквариум (akvarium) - Aquarium, often paired with goldfish in contexts.
• волшебство (volshebstvo) - Magic, due to the fairy tale associations.