Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grain'

English Word: grain

Key Russian Translations:

• зерно /ˈzʲɛrnə/ - [Formal, commonly used in agricultural and everyday contexts]
• зернышко /ˈzʲɛrnɨʂkə/ - [Informal, diminutive form, used affectionately or for small grains]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'зерно' is frequently encountered in contexts like agriculture, food, and science, but not as common in casual conversation as basic nouns.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic forms and uses, but mastering inflections requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зерно: /ˈzʲɛrnə/ (The 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, and the stress is on the first syllable. Note that the palatalized 'зʲ' can be challenging for English speakers.)

зернышко: /ˈzʲɛrnɨʂkə/ (Similar to 'зерно', but with a diminutive suffix; pay attention to the soft 'ш' sound in 'ш'.)

Note on зерно: The pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, such as in Southern Russia where vowel reduction is more pronounced.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Grain as in cereal or seed (e.g., wheat grain)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зерно - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as discussing agriculture or biology.
• зернышко - Informal context, often for small or cute references, like in children's stories.

Usage Examples:

• Фермеры выращивают зерно на полях каждое лето.

  Farmers grow grain in the fields every summer.

• Это зернышко пшеницы очень маленькое, но полное питательных веществ.

  This grain of wheat is very small but full of nutrients.

• В супермаркете можно купить разные виды зерна для выпечки хлеба.

  In the supermarket, you can buy different types of grain for baking bread.

• Дети собрали зернышки с земли и посадили их в саду.

  The children collected grains from the ground and planted them in the garden.

• Зерно является основой русской кухни, особенно в блюдах из ржи.

  Grain is the basis of Russian cuisine, especially in dishes made from rye.

2. Grain as in texture or pattern (e.g., wood grain)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зерно - In contexts like photography or materials, referring to fine texture.

Usage Examples:

• Зерно дерева придает мебели уникальный вид.

  The grain of the wood gives the furniture a unique appearance.

• В фотографии важно учитывать зерно изображения для качества снимка.

  In photography, it's important to consider the grain of the image for quality.

• Художник подчеркивает зерно холста в своей работе.

  The artist emphasizes the grain of the canvas in their work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'зерно' is a neuter noun in the second declension, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases. It is inflected based on number (singular and plural) and case. 'зернышко' is a diminutive form and also neuter, with similar inflections.

For 'зернышко', the inflections are similar but with the diminutive ending: e.g., Nominative Singular: зернышко; Genitive Singular: зернышка.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зерно (general)
  • семя (seed, often interchangeable in botanical contexts; implies a broader sense of planting)
  • крупа (groats, for processed grain)
• Antonyms:
  • пустота (emptiness, contrasting with the substance of grain)
  • камни (stones, in agricultural contexts where grains are separated from debris)

Related Phrases:

• зерновые культуры - Refers to cereal crops, commonly used in farming discussions.
• зерно истины - A phrase meaning "grain of truth," used metaphorically in conversations about partial accuracy.
• посевное зерно - Means "seed grain," indicating grain used for planting.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word 'зерно' directly corresponds to the English 'grain' in most agricultural and scientific contexts, but English speakers should note that Russian nouns are gendered and inflected, so 'зерно' changes form based on case (e.g., use genitive 'зерна' after prepositions like 'из'). For informal settings, opt for diminutives like 'зернышко' to sound more natural. Be cautious with context: in food-related talks, it emphasizes staple crops, which are culturally significant in Russia.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'зерно' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Я ем зерно" instead of "Я ем зерно" (actually correct here, but in other cases like "из зерно" which should be "из зерна").

  Correct: "Я ем зерно из поля" → Right form is "из зерна из поля". Explanation: English learners often forget case changes, leading to grammatical errors; always check the required case based on the preposition.

• Error: Confusing 'зерно' with 'семя' – learners might use 'семя' for all types of grain.

  Correct: Use 'зерно' for cereal grains and 'семя' for seeds in general. Explanation: While overlapping, 'семя' is broader and not always interchangeable, especially in culinary contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'зерно' symbolizes sustenance and heritage, tied to the country's agricultural history. For instance, during festivals like Maslenitsa, grains are central to traditional foods, reflecting Russia's vast grain-producing regions like the Black Earth belt. This word often carries connotations of fertility and endurance in literature and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• хлеб (bread)
• урожай (harvest)
• пшеница (wheat)