Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hatchling'

English Word: hatchling

Key Russian Translations:

• птенец /ˈptʲenʲɪt͡s/ - [Informal, commonly used for young birds]
• выводок /ˈvɨvədək/ - [Formal, refers to a brood or group of hatchlings]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in everyday contexts like nature, wildlife discussions, or children's literature, but not as common as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic animal vocabulary and noun inflections, per CEFR standards. For 'птенец', it's B1; for 'выводок', it's also B1 due to its contextual usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

птенец: /ˈptʲenʲɪt͡s/

Note on птенец: The initial 'пт' cluster can be tricky for English speakers; the 'т' is palatalized (soft), making it sound like 't-y'. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

выводок: /ˈvɨvədək/

Note on выводок: The 'ы' vowel is a back unrounded sound, distinct from English 'i'; it's common in Russian but may require focused practice.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A young animal, especially a bird, that has recently hatched from an egg.

Translation(s) & Context:

• птенец - Used in informal contexts like wildlife observation or storytelling, often for individual birds.
• выводок - Applied in more formal or descriptive settings, such as biology or when referring to a group of hatchlings in a nest.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы увидели птенца, который только что вылупился из яйца.

  In the forest, we saw a hatchling that had just emerged from its egg.

• Маленький птенец учился летать, но ещё не был готов покинуть гнездо.

  The little hatchling was learning to fly but wasn't ready to leave the nest yet.

• В зоопарке вывели выводок птенцов, и теперь они под присмотром ветеринаров.

  At the zoo, a brood of hatchlings was hatched, and now they are under the veterinarians' care.

• Птица охраняла свой выводок от хищников, пока птенцы не окрепли.

  The bird was guarding her brood of hatchlings from predators until they grew stronger.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, something new or nascent, though less common in Russian.

Translation(s) & Context:

• птенец - Rarely used metaphorically, e.g., in literature for a novice or beginner.

Usage Examples:

• В компании он был как птенец в стае – неопытный, но полный энтузиазма.

  In the company, he was like a hatchling in a flock – inexperienced but full of enthusiasm.

• Этот проект – настоящий выводок идей, только что вылупившихся из обсуждений.

  This project is a real brood of ideas, just hatched from the discussions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'птенец' (a masculine noun, 2nd declension), it follows standard Russian noun inflections. It is regular and changes based on case and number.

For 'выводок' (also masculine, 2nd declension), it is similarly regular:

Both words do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • цыплёнок (chick; more specific to poultry, often used for domesticated birds)
  • молодняк (young animal; broader term for juvenile wildlife)
• Antonyms:
  • взрослая птица (adult bird; implies maturity and full development)
  • старик (old one; metaphorical for aged animals)

Related Phrases:

• Птенец в гнезде – A hatchling in the nest; refers to early stages of life in a protected environment.
• Выводок утят – A brood of ducklings; used for groups of young waterfowl in natural settings.
• Молодой выводок – A young brood; implies a fresh generation in wildlife contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Hatchling' directly corresponds to 'птенец' in most cases, especially for birds, but 'выводок' is better for groups. Use 'птенец' in informal conversations or literature, and 'выводок' in formal or scientific contexts. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender—both are masculine nouns, so adjectives and verbs must agree. When choosing between translations, opt for 'птенец' for singular instances and 'выводок' for plural or collective ones to ensure natural flow.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'птенец' with 'птица' (bird), using it for any bird rather than specifically a young one. Error: "Это птица" (meaning "This is a bird" generally). Correct: "Это птенец" for a hatchling. Explanation: 'Птица' refers to birds of any age, so specify with context.
• Mixing cases incorrectly, e.g., saying "в птенец" instead of "в птенце" (in the hatchling). Error: "Я видел в птенец." Correct: "Я видел в птенце." Explanation: Russian requires proper declension for prepositional phrases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'птенец' often appear in folklore and children's stories, symbolizing vulnerability and new beginnings, as seen in tales by writers like Tolstoy. This reflects Russia's rich natural heritage, where birds and wildlife are celebrated in literature and art, emphasizing themes of growth and protection in family or community contexts.

Related Concepts:

• птица (bird)
• яйцо (egg)
• гнездо (nest)