Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'larva'

English Word: larva

Key Russian Translations:

• личинка [ˈlʲitɕɪnkə] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in scientific, educational, and biological contexts but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR standards; learners at this level should be familiar with basic biological vocabulary, but understanding inflections and precise usage requires some practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

личинка: [ˈlʲitɕɪnkə]

Note on личинка: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ч' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it as "lee-cheen-ka" with a soft 'ch' like in "church".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The immature form of an insect or other animal in biology.

Translation(s) & Context:

• личинка - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts to describe the early developmental stage of insects, amphibians, or other organisms, often in biology textbooks or research.

Usage Examples:

• Личинка бабочки проходит несколько этапов развития перед превращением в куколку.

  The larva of a butterfly goes through several stages of development before turning into a pupa.

• В лаборатории учёные изучают, как личинка комара адаптируется к разным водным условиям.

  In the laboratory, scientists study how the mosquito larva adapts to different aquatic conditions.

• Многие рыбы откладывают икру, из которой вылупляются личинки, способные плавать самостоятельно.

  Many fish lay eggs from which larvae hatch and can swim independently.

• Личинка жука может оставаться в почве в течение месяцев, питаясь корнями растений.

  The larva of a beetle can remain in the soil for months, feeding on plant roots.

• В процессе эволюции личинка некоторых насекомых эволюционировала, чтобы избегать хищников.

  In the process of evolution, the larva of some insects has evolved to avoid predators.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Личинка" is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гусеница (gusenitsa) - Specifically for caterpillar larvae; used in more poetic or descriptive contexts.
  • нимфа (nimfa) - For certain insect larvae that resemble adults; implies a semi-adult stage.
• Antonyms:
  • взрослая форма (vzoslaya forma) - Adult form; contrasts with the immature stage.

Related Phrases:

• личинка насекомого (lichinka nasekomogo) - Insect larva; a common phrase in entomology, referring to the early stage of insect development.
• личинка в стадии развития (lichinka v stadii razvitiya) - Larva in the development stage; used in scientific discussions about metamorphosis.
• вылупиться из личинки (vylupitsya iz lichinki) - To hatch from a larva; an idiomatic expression for transformation or growth.

Usage Notes:

"Личинка" directly corresponds to the English "larva" in biological contexts and is the most accurate translation. It is primarily used in formal or academic settings, such as biology classes or scientific writing. Be mindful of its feminine gender in Russian sentences, which affects adjective agreements (e.g., "малая личинка" for "small larva"). When choosing between synonyms like "гусеница," opt for it only if specifying a caterpillar. In everyday Russian, this word is neutral and not region-specific, but it's less common in casual speech—prefer it in educational or professional scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "из личинка" instead of "из личинки" (genitive case required after prepositions like "из"). Correct: "Из личинки вылупляется бабочка." Explanation: Russian requires proper declension; neglecting it can make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

• Error: Confusing with synonyms, e.g., using "нимфа" for all larvae when it only applies to certain insects. Correct: Use "личинка" for general cases. Explanation: This can lead to semantic errors; always check the specific context to avoid misrepresentation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, terms like "личинка" are often emphasized in biology curricula, reflecting Russia's strong tradition in natural sciences. It doesn't carry unique cultural connotations but is tied to broader themes of environmental awareness and scientific heritage, as seen in works by Russian biologists like Vladimir Vernadsky.

Related Concepts:

• куколка (kukolka) - Pupa stage in insect development.
• метаморфоза (metamorfosa) - Metamorphosis, the process involving larvae.
• нимфа (nimfa) - Nymph, a larval stage in some insects.