Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'herbivorous'

English Word: herbivorous

Key Russian Translations:

• травоядный [trəvɐˈjadnɨj] - [Formal, Scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in biological, educational, and scientific discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian adjectives and scientific vocabulary, but not advanced grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

травоядный: [trəvɐˈjadnɨj]

Note on травоядный: The stress falls on the third syllable ('jad'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'я' sound. Pronounce it with a clear 'r' roll and a short 'y' vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relating to animals or organisms that primarily consume plants as their food source.

Translation(s) & Context:

• травоядный - Used in formal, scientific, or educational contexts to describe animals like cows, rabbits, or dinosaurs that eat vegetation; appropriate for biology texts or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Коровы — это типичные травоядные животные, которые питаются травой и листьями.

  Cows are typical herbivorous animals that feed on grass and leaves.

• Русский пример: В зоопарке мы наблюдали за травоядными динозаврами, реконструированными по окаменелостям.

  In the zoo, we observed herbivorous dinosaurs reconstructed from fossils.

• Русский пример: Травоядные насекомые, такие как гусеницы, играют важную роль в экосистеме леса.

  Herbivorous insects, such as caterpillars, play an important role in the forest ecosystem.

• Русский пример: Многие травоядные млекопитающие эволюционировали, чтобы иметь специальные зубы для пережёвывания растений.

  Many herbivorous mammals have evolved specialized teeth for chewing plants.

• Русский пример: В вегетарианском рационе люди иногда имитируют травоядных животных, избегая мяса.

  In a vegetarian diet, people sometimes mimic herbivorous animals by avoiding meat.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Травоядный is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard adjective declension patterns. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. Unlike some irregular adjectives, this one is regular and changes predictably.

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • растительноядный - Similar, but more technical; used interchangeably in scientific contexts, with a slight emphasis on plant-based diet.
  • фитофагный - Less common, more specialized in entomology; implies plant-eating but with a focus on insects.
• Antonyms:
  • мясоедный - Directly opposite, meaning 'carnivorous' or meat-eating.
  • хищный - Means 'predatory', often used for animals that hunt.

Related Phrases:

• Травоядные животные - Herbivorous animals; commonly used in educational or wildlife discussions to categorize fauna.
• Травоядные динозавры - Herbivorous dinosaurs; refers to prehistoric species like Brachiosaurus in paleontology contexts.
• Травоядные насекомые - Herbivorous insects; highlights insects that feed on plants, important in ecology.

Usage Notes:

Травоядный directly corresponds to 'herbivorous' in English, primarily as an adjective describing diet in biological or scientific settings. It is formal and not typically used in casual conversation, so opt for it in written reports, textbooks, or academic discussions. Be mindful of agreement: always decline it to match the noun's gender, number, and case. When choosing between synonyms like 'растительноядный', use 'травоядный' for general purposes unless a more specific botanical context is needed.

• In sentences, it often pairs with nouns like 'животные' (animals) or 'млекопитающие' (mammals).
• Avoid using it in informal contexts; for everyday talk about vegetarianism, 'вегетарианский' might be more appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "травоядный животные" instead of "травоядные животные". Correct: Always ensure agreement, as in "травоядные животные". Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, number, and gender; this is a common mistake for English speakers who treat adjectives as invariable.

• Error: Confusing it with 'вегетарианский' (vegetarian), which applies to human diets, e.g., translating "herbivorous diet" as 'вегетарианский рацион' when 'травоядный рацион' is more accurate for animals. Correct: Use 'травоядный' for non-human contexts. Explanation: 'Вегетарианский' implies a lifestyle choice, while 'травоядный' is purely descriptive of biology.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, terms like 'травоядный' are prominent in biology curricula, reflecting Russia's emphasis on natural sciences. It may evoke images from Russian literature or media, such as descriptions of Siberian wildlife, where herbivorous animals like reindeer play a role in folklore and environmental discussions, symbolizing adaptation and survival in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• хищный
• вегетарианский
• экосистема