Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'honeybee'

English Word: honeybee

Key Russian Translations:

• пчела [ˈpʲt͡ɕelə] - [Common noun, typically used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian language, especially in contexts related to nature, agriculture, and biology.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; straightforward for English learners as it is a basic noun with regular inflections, making it accessible early in language acquisition.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пчела: [ˈpʲt͡ɕelə]

Note on пчела: The initial "пч" sound is a palatalized affricate, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like "pchee" with a soft, almost whistling quality. Pronounce it with a quick, light "ch" as in "church."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A type of bee that produces honey, often found in hives or natural environments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пчела - Used in general contexts to refer to honeybees in everyday conversation, scientific discussions, or literature; common in both formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• В саду летает пчела, собирая нектар с цветов.

  In the garden, a honeybee is flying, collecting nectar from the flowers.

• Пчёлы в улье работают вместе, чтобы произвести мёд.

  Honeybees in the hive work together to produce honey.

• Если пчела ужалит, это может вызвать аллергию у некоторых людей.

  If a honeybee stings, it can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

• Дети наблюдали за пчелой, которая перелетала от одного цветка к другому.

  The children watched the honeybee as it flew from one flower to another.

• В русской деревне пчёлы играют важную роль в сельском хозяйстве.

  In Russian villages, honeybees play an important role in agriculture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пчела" is a feminine noun in Russian (first declension). It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes predictably with case and number, which is typical for Russian feminine nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Медоносная пчела (more specific, meaning "honey-producing bee"; used in formal or scientific contexts to emphasize the honey aspect)
  • Пасечная пчела (refers to bees in beekeeping; slight nuance for domesticated varieties)
• Antonyms:
  • Оса (wasp; implies a non-honey-producing, potentially aggressive insect)
  • Муха (fly; a contrasting non-stinging insect)

Related Phrases:

• Улей пчёл (Beehive) - Refers to the structure where honeybees live and work together.
• Пчелиный мёд (Bee honey) - A common phrase for honey produced by honeybees, often used in culinary contexts.
• Пчёлы-работницы (Worker bees) - Describes the female bees that perform most tasks in the hive.
• Разведение пчёл (Beekeeping) - A phrase related to the practice of maintaining honeybee colonies.

Usage Notes:

"Пчела" directly corresponds to "honeybee" in English and is the most straightforward translation for general use. It is a neutral, everyday noun suitable for both formal (e.g., scientific texts) and informal contexts (e.g., casual conversation). Be mindful of its feminine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements and verb conjugations. When choosing between synonyms like "медоносная пчела," opt for the more specific term if emphasizing honey production. In ecological or agricultural discussions, this word frequently appears in plural forms to denote groups or colonies.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "пчела" with "оса" (wasp) due to similar appearances. Incorrect: "Я видел осу в саду" when meaning a honeybee. Correct: "Я видел пчелу в саду." Explanation: "Оса" refers to a wasp, which is not honey-producing and has a more aggressive connotation; always verify the context to avoid misidentification.

• Common Error: Incorrect inflection, such as using the nominative "пчела" in all cases. Incorrect: "Я боюсь пчела" (should be genitive). Correct: "Я боюсь пчелы." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; learners must adjust for genitive or other cases based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, honeybees ("пчела") symbolize hard work, community, and productivity, often featured in folklore and literature. For instance, Russian folktales portray bees as diligent creatures, and beekeeping has historical significance in rural areas, dating back to ancient Slavic traditions. The phrase "работа пчёл" (bees' work) metaphorically represents collective effort, reflecting values of cooperation in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Улей (Hive)
• Мёд (Honey)
• Цветок (Flower)
• Насекомое (Insect)