Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lamb'

English Word: lamb

Key Russian Translations:

• ягненок [jɪɡʲnʲɪˈnok] - [Informal, used for a young sheep or lamb animal]
• баранина [bərəˈninə] - [Formal, used for lamb meat or in culinary contexts]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations appear in everyday conversations related to animals or food, but are not as common as basic vocabulary like "dog" or "bread".

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 for ягненок, due to noun declensions; B2 for баранина, as it involves understanding food-related vocabulary and contexts) - Learners at A2 level may struggle with inflections, while advanced users can handle nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ягненок: [jɪɡʲnʲɪˈnok]

баранина: [bərəˈninə]

Note on ягненок: The initial "я" sound is a soft palatal approximant, similar to the "y" in "yes". Be careful with the stress on the third syllable, as misplacing it can alter meaning in Russian.

Note on баранина: The "р" is rolled, which is a common feature in Russian; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A young sheep (animal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ягненок - Used in informal, everyday contexts like describing farm animals or children's stories; common in rural or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Ягненок резвится на лугу.

  The lamb is frolicking in the meadow. (This example shows the noun in a simple present tense context, highlighting animal behavior.)

• Маленький ягненок потерялся в лесу.

  The little lamb got lost in the forest. (Illustrates the noun with adjectives and in a narrative scenario.)

• Фермер заботится о ягненке, как о своем ребенке.

  The farmer cares for the lamb as if it were his own child. (Demonstrates metaphorical use in emotional or relational contexts.)

• Ягненок пьет молоко из бутылки.

  The lamb is drinking milk from a bottle. (Shows the noun in a daily routine or care-taking situation.)

Meaning 2: Meat from a young sheep (culinary)

Translation(s) & Context:

• баранина - Used in formal or gastronomic contexts, such as recipes, menus, or discussions about food; prevalent in Russian cuisine.

Usage Examples:

• В супермаркете свежая баранина на скидке.

  Fresh lamb is on sale at the supermarket. (This example places the noun in a shopping or economic context.)

• Баранина в этом рецепте должна быть хорошо прожарена.

  The lamb in this recipe should be well-cooked. (Illustrates use in instructional or cooking scenarios.)

• Моя бабушка готовит баранину с травами и специями.

  My grandmother cooks lamb with herbs and spices. (Shows cultural or familial usage in traditional meals.)

• Баранина – это деликатес в русской кухне.

  Lamb is a delicacy in Russian cuisine. (Highlights the noun in a cultural or appreciative context.)

• В ресторане подают баранину с гарниром из овощей.

  The restaurant serves lamb with a vegetable side dish. (Demonstrates formal dining or menu descriptions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. Ягненок is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while баранина is a feminine noun (1st declension). They exhibit regular changes based on case, number, and gender.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities, but learners must pay attention to soft consonants in ягненок.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Козленок (kozlyonok) - Similar to ягненок but specifically for a young goat; used interchangeably in animal contexts but with subtle differences in species.
  • Мясо барашка (myaso barashka) - A synonym for баранина, emphasizing the meat from a young sheep; more descriptive in formal writing.
• Antonyms:
  • Взрослая овца (vzoslaya ovtsa) - Adult sheep, contrasting with ягненок in terms of age.
  • Говядина (govadina) - Beef, as an antonym to баранина in culinary contexts, representing a different type of meat.

Related Phrases:

• Маленький ягненок (malen'kiy yagnyonok) - Little lamb; a phrase used in children's stories or affectionate descriptions. (English: Refers to a young, cute animal.)
• Жареная баранина (zharenaya baranina) - Roasted lamb; a common phrase in recipes or menus. (English: Indicates a specific cooking method in Russian cuisine.)
• Пасхальный ягненок (paskhal'nyy yagnyonok) - Easter lamb; often used in cultural or religious contexts. (English: Symbolizes traditions in Orthodox celebrations.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "lamb" as ягненок corresponds directly to the animal in informal settings, while баранина is strictly for meat and is more formal. English speakers should note that Russian nouns change based on case, so always adjust for context (e.g., use genitive for possession). Choose ягненок for animal-related discussions and баранина for food; avoid mixing them to prevent confusion. Grammatically, these words follow standard declensions, but beginners might overlook gender agreements in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using ягненок to mean meat, e.g., saying "Я ем ягненок" instead of "Я ем баранину". Correct: "Я ем баранину" (I eat lamb meat). Explanation: Ягненок refers only to the live animal, not the food; this confusion arises from direct English translations.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "Купить ягненок" (incorrect accusative) instead of "Купить ягненка". Correct: "Купить ягненка". Explanation: Russian requires case changes; English learners often treat nouns as invariable.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, ягненок often appears in folklore and children's tales, symbolizing innocence, as in stories by authors like Tolstoy. Баранина is a staple in traditional dishes like shashlik or for Easter feasts in Orthodox Christianity, reflecting the importance of seasonal and religious customs in Russian culinary heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Овца (ovtsa) - Sheep
• Ферма (ferma) - Farm
• Мясо (myaso) - Meat