Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'humus'

English Word: humus

Key Russian Translations:

• гумус [ɡuˈmus] - [Formal, Scientific term used in biology and agriculture]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in scientific, agricultural, and environmental contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level; requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and basic Russian noun declensions, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гумус: [ɡuˈmus] (The stress is on the second syllable, with a hard 'g' sound as in 'go')

Note on гумус: Be cautious with the vowel sounds; the 'u' is pronounced like the 'oo' in 'book', and this word is typically pronounced clearly in formal settings. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The organic matter in soil resulting from the decomposition of plant and animal materials

Translation(s) & Context:

• гумус - Used in scientific or educational contexts to describe soil fertility and composition, often in formal writing or lectures.

Usage Examples:

• В почве много гумуса, что делает её плодородной.

  In the soil, there is a lot of humus, which makes it fertile.

• Гумус образуется в результате разложения органических веществ.

  Humus is formed as a result of the decomposition of organic substances.

• Без гумуса почва быстро истощается.

  Without humus, the soil quickly becomes depleted.

• Агрономы изучают, как увеличить содержание гумуса в грунте.

  Agronomists study how to increase the humus content in the soil.

• Гумус играет ключевую роль в экосистеме леса.

  Humus plays a key role in the forest ecosystem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гумус" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard third-declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It is relatively straightforward but requires attention to case changes in sentences.

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to different types of humus in various soils.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• перегной (peregnoj) - Often used interchangeably in agricultural contexts, but implies fresher organic matter.
• органика (organicheskaya) - A broader term for organic components, with a more general connotation.

Antonyms:

• минеральные вещества (mineral'nye veshchestva) - Refers to inorganic soil components, contrasting with organic humus.

Related Phrases:

• содержание гумуса в почве (soderzhaniye gumusa v pochve) - Content of humus in the soil; used in scientific reports to discuss soil quality.
• обогащение гумусом (obogashcheniye gumusom) - Enrichment with humus; refers to processes for improving soil fertility.
• гумусный слой (gumusnyy sloy) - Humus layer; describes the topsoil in ecological discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "гумус" directly corresponds to the English "humus" in scientific contexts, but it's important to use it in formal or technical settings to avoid confusion with unrelated terms. Always consider the grammatical case based on the sentence structure; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "в гумусе" (in humus). If you're choosing between synonyms like "перегной," opt for "гумус" when emphasizing long-term soil decomposition. This word is neutral in terms of register but is rarely used in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гумус" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу гумус" when it should be "Я вижу гумус" in nominative, but incorrectly using genitive in a direct object. Correct: "Я изучаю гумус" (I study humus). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their role in the sentence; always check the verb or preposition.

• Error: Confusing "гумус" with "хумус" (the food item, like hummus dip). Correct: In scientific contexts, stick to "гумус." Explanation: These are homophones in English but distinct in Russian; misuse can lead to misunderstandings in translation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, "гумус" is often discussed in the context of environmental science and agriculture, reflecting Russia's vast rural landscapes and historical emphasis on soil management. It symbolizes fertility and sustainability, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where soil health is metaphorically linked to human resilience.

Related Concepts:

• почва (pochva) - Soil
• фертильность (fertilitynost') - Fertility
• экосистема (ekosistema) - Ecosystem