Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hen'

English Word: hen

Key Russian Translations:

• курица (/kuˈrʲit͡sa/) - [Standard; refers to a female chicken]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, especially in contexts related to animals, farming, or cooking, but not as ubiquitous as basic nouns like "дом" (house)).

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; The word is straightforward with regular inflections, making it accessible for new learners of Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

курица: /kuˈrʲit͡sa/

Note on курица: The stress is on the second syllable ('ri'). The 'р' is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian phonetics. Pay attention to the palatalized 'рʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A female chicken used for egg-laying or breeding.

Translation(s) & Context:

• курица - Used in general contexts for domestic hens, such as in farming or culinary discussions (e.g., in informal or everyday speech).

Usage Examples:

• В деревне у бабушки была большая курица, которая несла яйца каждый день.

  In the village, grandma had a big hen that laid eggs every day.

• Эта курица очень агрессивная; она клюёт всех, кто подходит близко.

  This hen is very aggressive; it pecks at anyone who comes close.

• Фермеры разводят кур для производства мяса и яиц.

  Farmers raise hens for producing meat and eggs.

• Моя курица сбежала из курятника и гуляла по саду.

  My hen escaped from the henhouse and was wandering in the garden.

• В русской сказке курица часто символизирует домашний уют и заботу.

  In Russian folktales, a hen often symbolizes home comfort and care.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"курица" is a feminine noun in the second declension (second grammatical gender in Russian). It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. Below is a table outlining its inflections for cases and numbers:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it easy for learners to predict changes based on standard rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • несушка (/nʲɪˈsʊʂkə/) - Specifically for a laying hen; used in agricultural contexts.
  • курочка (/kurʲɪt͡ʃkə/) - A diminutive form, implying a smaller or younger hen; often used affectionately.
• Antonyms:
  • петух (/pʲɪˈtux/) - Refers to a rooster (male chicken).

Related Phrases:

• Домашняя курица - Domestic hen; Refers to hens raised at home for eggs or meat.
• Курица в гнезде - Hen in the nest; Used metaphorically for something protected or hidden.
• Курица с цыплятами - Hen with chicks; Implies family or protection in everyday language.

Usage Notes:

"курица" directly corresponds to the English "hen" in most contexts, but it can also mean "chicken" in a general sense, especially when referring to meat (e.g., in recipes). Use it in informal or neutral settings; for formal writing, pair it with more descriptive phrases. Be mindful of case endings, as Russian requires agreement with other words in the sentence. When choosing between synonyms like "несушка," opt for it in specialized contexts like farming, while "курица" works for general use.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive form "курицы" with the nominative, leading to incorrect phrases like "Я ем курица" instead of the correct "Я ем курицу" (I eat hen). Error: Using nominative in accusative contexts; Correct: Always adjust for case, e.g., "Я имею курицу" (I have a hen) uses accusative.

• Mixing up with "курица" as meat: Beginners might overuse it for "chicken meat," saying "курица" when "куринное мясо" is more precise. Error: "Я ем курица" for meat; Correct: Use "курица" for the animal and specify if needed, e.g., "куриное мясо" for chicken meat.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "курица" often appears in folktales and proverbs, symbolizing domestic life, fertility, and simplicity. For example, in stories like those by Russian folk traditions, a hen represents the nurturing aspect of rural life, reflecting historical agricultural roots in Russia.

Related Concepts:

• цыплёнок (chick)
• петух (rooster)
• ферма (farm)