Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heifer'

English Word: heifer

Key Russian Translations:

• телица [ˈtʲelʲɪtsə] - [Formal, used in agricultural or zoological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily used in agricultural, rural, or veterinary discussions, not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level on CEFR scale; involves understanding Russian noun declensions and feminine gender, which can be challenging for beginners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

телица: [ˈtʲelʲɪtsə]

Note on телица: The stress is on the first syllable. The soft 'л' sound (as in 'ly' in "million") and the palatalized 'т' may be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A young female cow that has not yet given birth to a calf.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телица - Typically used in formal or technical contexts like farming, animal husbandry, or educational materials; it emphasizes the animal's youth and reproductive status.

Usage Examples:

• На ферме разводят телят и телочек для будущего молочного производства.

  On the farm, they raise calves and heifers for future milk production. (This example shows the word in a plural context within an agricultural setting.)

• Эта телица выглядит здоровой и готова к разведению.

  This heifer looks healthy and is ready for breeding. (Illustrates use in a singular, descriptive context related to animal health.)

• В русской деревне телица часто пасётся на пастбище вместе с другими скотом.

  In a Russian village, the heifer often grazes in the pasture with other livestock. (Demonstrates the word in a cultural or everyday rural scenario.)

• Фермер купил молодую телицу на рынке, чтобы расширить стадо.

  The farmer bought a young heifer at the market to expand the herd. (Shows the word with an adjective for emphasis on age.)

• Телица убежала от пастуха и затерялась в лесу.

  The heifer ran away from the shepherd and got lost in the forest. (Highlights the word in a narrative or problem-solving context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"телица" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun patterns for feminine words ending in -a, which means it inflects regularly across cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тёлочка - A more diminutive or informal term, often used affectionately in everyday speech to imply youthfulness.
  • молодая корова - Literally "young cow," used in less technical contexts but less precise.
• Antonyms:
  • бык - Refers to a bull, contrasting in gender and reproductive role.
  • теленок - Refers to a calf, contrasting in age and maturity.

Related Phrases:

• молодая телица - Young heifer; used to specify age in breeding contexts.
• пасти телицу - To graze a heifer; a common phrase in rural descriptions.
• телица на вырост - Heifer for growth; implies raising for future use, often in agricultural planning.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "телица" directly corresponds to "heifer" as a specific term in animal husbandry, but it's important to note its feminine gender, which affects agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "молодая телица" for "young heifer"). Use it in formal or technical writing rather than casual conversation. When choosing between translations like "телица" and "тёлочка," opt for "телица" in professional contexts and "тёлочка" for a more endearing tone. Be mindful of case changes in sentences, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "о телице" for "about the heifer").

Common Errors:

• Confusing gender: English learners might incorrectly use a masculine form like "телиц" as if it were neutral, but "телица" must always be treated as feminine. Error example: "Этот телиц" (incorrect) vs. Correct: "Эта телица" (This heifer). Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, so adjectives and pronouns must agree.

• Mixing with synonyms: Beginners often swap "телица" with "теленок" (calf), leading to misuse. Error example: "Теленок не родила теленка" (incorrect, implies a calf giving birth) vs. Correct: "Телица родит теленка" (The heifer will give birth to a calf). Explanation: "Теленок" refers to a young animal of either gender, not specifically a female.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., using nominative in all contexts. Error example: "Я видел телица" (incorrect) vs. Correct: "Я видел телицу" (I saw the heifer, accusative case). Explanation: Always decline based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "телица" are deeply rooted in rural and agricultural traditions, reflecting Russia's historical agrarian society. Livestock such as heifers play a significant role in folklore and literature, symbolizing fertility and prosperity in stories from writers like Tolstoy. Understanding this can help English speakers appreciate the word's connotations beyond its literal meaning, especially in contexts like village life or national holidays celebrating harvest.

Related Concepts:

• корова (cow)
• теленок (calf)
• бык (bull)
• скот (livestock)