Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'husk'

English Word: husk

Key Russian Translations:

• шелуха [ʃɪˈlʊxə] - [Informal, Noun, Plural form: шелухи]
• оболочка [ɐbɐˈɫɔtʃkə] - [Formal, Noun, Used in scientific or general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in agricultural, everyday, and scientific discussions, but not ubiquitous in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to nature and science)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шелуха: [ʃɪˈlʊxə]

оболочка: [ɐbɐˈɫɔtʃkə]

Note on шелуха: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the 'ш' sound, which is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'she' but softer.

Note on оболочка: Pronounce the 'о' as a mid-back rounded vowel; this word may have slight regional variations in speed and emphasis.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The outer covering of grains, seeds, or fruits

Translation(s) & Context:

• шелуха - Used in everyday contexts for agricultural or natural settings, such as describing corn or wheat coverings.
• оболочка - Applied in more formal or scientific contexts, like biology or engineering, for any protective outer layer.

Usage Examples:

• Я снял шелуху с зерна перед приготовлением супа. (Ya snyal shelukhu s zerna pered prigotovleniem supa.)

  I removed the husk from the grain before making the soup. (This example shows the word in a practical, domestic context.)

• В природе оболочка защищает семена от внешних факторов. (V prirode obolochka zashchishchaet semena ot vneshnikh faktorov.)

  In nature, the husk protects seeds from external factors. (Illustrates a scientific or educational usage.)

• Дети любят срывать шелуху с кукурузы во время пикника. (Deti lyubyat sryvat' shelukhu s kukuruzy vo vremya piknika.)

  Children love to strip the husk from corn during a picnic. (Demonstrates informal, playful usage.)

• Оболочка фрукта часто содержит полезные витамины. (Obolochka frukta chasto soderzhit poleznye vitaminy.)

  The husk of the fruit often contains useful vitamins. (Shows application in health or nutritional discussions.)

• После уборки урожая, фермеры сжигают всю шелуху. (Posle uborki urozhaya, fermery szhigayut vsyu shelukhu.)

  After harvesting, farmers burn all the husk. (Highlights agricultural practices.)

A metaphorical or extended meaning, such as an outer layer or shell in non-literal contexts

Translation(s) & Context:

• оболочка - Preferred in metaphorical or abstract uses, like in psychology or philosophy.

Usage Examples:

• Оболочка его личности скрывает истинные эмоции. (Obolochka ego lichnosti skryvaet istinnye emotsii.)

  The husk of his personality hides his true emotions. (This shows a figurative use in psychological contexts.)

• В литературе, оболочка часто символизирует защиту. (V literature, obolochka chasto simvoliziruet zashchitu.)

  In literature, the husk often symbolizes protection. (Illustrates usage in artistic or symbolic language.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. "Шелуха" is typically used in plural forms in everyday contexts, while "оболочка" can be singular or plural.

Note: These follow regular patterns, but "шелуха" is less commonly inflected in singular due to its frequent plural usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лузга (luzga) - Similar to шелуха, often used for specific grains like sunflower seeds; more regional.
  • пленка (plenka) - For thin, film-like coverings; less precise but interchangeable in some contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • ядро (yadro) - The core or inner part, contrasting with the outer husk.
  • внутренность (vnutrennost') - Interior or insides, opposing external layers.

Related Phrases:

• Снять шелуху (Snyat' shelukhu) - To remove the husk; meaning to strip away outer layers, literally or metaphorically.
• Оболочка семени (Obolochka semeni) - Seed husk; a common phrase in botanical contexts.
• Под шелухой (Pod shelukhov) - Under the husk; used to describe something hidden beneath a surface.

Usage Notes:

"Шелуха" is the most direct translation for the agricultural sense of "husk" and is commonly used in informal Russian speech, while "оболочка" is better for formal or scientific equivalents. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require declension based on case, so always adjust for grammar (e.g., use genitive for possession). Choose "шелуха" for everyday topics and "оболочка" for abstract or technical discussions to ensure natural phrasing.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "шелуха" in singular when it should be plural (e.g., saying "эта шелуха" instead of "эти шелухи" for multiple items).
  Correct: "Эти шелухи нужно удалить." (These husks need to be removed.)
  Explanation: Russian often treats such nouns as plural by default; ignoring this can lead to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing "оболочка" with "обложка" (book cover).
  Correct: Use "оболочка" for protective layers, not "обложка".
  Explanation: These are homophones in some accents, so context is key to avoid mix-ups in scientific writing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "шелуха" is often associated with rural life and traditional agriculture, evoking images of harvest festivals or folk tales where removing the husk symbolizes revealing truth or purity. This reflects Russia's historical agrarian roots, where such terms carry deeper metaphorical weight in literature, like in works by Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• зерно (zerno) - Grain
• семя (semya) - Seed
• урожай (urozhay) - Harvest