Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leatherback'

English Word: leatherback

Key Russian Translations:

• кожистая черепаха [kɐˈʐɨstəjə tɕɪˈrʲɛpəxə] - [Formal, Scientific context]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized contexts like marine biology, environmental discussions, or wildlife documentaries; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of compound nouns and basic scientific vocabulary in Russian, which may be challenging for beginners but manageable with intermediate knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кожистая черепаха: [kɐˈʐɨstəjə tɕɪˈrʲɛpəxə]

Note on кожистая черепаха: The stress falls on the second syllable of "кожистая" (kɐ-ˈʐɨstəjə), and "черепаха" has a soft 'ч' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The largest species of sea turtle, known for its leathery shell and migratory habits

Translation(s) & Context:

• кожистая черепаха - Used in formal, scientific, or educational contexts to refer specifically to the Leatherback Sea Turtle, often in discussions about marine conservation or biology.

Usage Examples:

• Кожистая черепаха — это крупнейшая морская черепаха, которая мигрирует на тысячи километров.

  The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle, which migrates thousands of kilometers.

• Многие кожистые черепахи погибают из-за пластикового мусора в океане.

  Many leatherback turtles die due to plastic waste in the ocean.

• В заповеднике мы наблюдали, как кожистая черепаха откладывает яйца на пляже.

  In the reserve, we observed a leatherback turtle laying eggs on the beach.

• Исследования показывают, что кожистые черепахи адаптированы к холодным водам.

  Studies show that leatherback turtles are adapted to cold waters.

• Защита кожистой черепахи является приоритетом для экологов во всем мире.

  Protecting the leatherback turtle is a priority for ecologists worldwide.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translation "кожистая черепаха" is a noun phrase where "черепаха" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and "кожистая" is an adjective that agrees with it. Russian nouns and adjectives inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Черепаха" follows standard feminine noun patterns with no irregularities, while "кожистая" changes to agree.

Note: The adjective "кожистая" changes form to match the noun's gender, number, and case, as shown. This phrase does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • морская черепаха (general term for sea turtles, but less specific) - Often used interchangeably in casual contexts, but implies a broader category.
  • гигантская черепаха (giant turtle) - Emphasizes size, but not exclusive to leatherback.
• Antonyms:
  • сушеядные животные (land-dwelling animals) - Refers to non-marine creatures, highlighting the contrast in habitat.

Related Phrases:

• защита кожистой черепахи - Protection of the leatherback turtle; commonly used in environmental campaigns.
• миграция кожистых черепах - Migration of leatherback turtles; refers to their long-distance travels in oceanography.
• угрозы для кожистой черепахи - Threats to the leatherback turtle; discusses endangerment factors like pollution.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "кожистая черепаха" directly corresponds to "leatherback" as a specific animal species, but it's more descriptive and formal than in English. Use it in scientific or educational contexts rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of gender agreement when inflecting; for example, pair it with feminine adjectives or verbs. If multiple turtle species are discussed, specify "кожистая" to avoid confusion with other types like "зелёная черепаха" (green sea turtle). Choose this term over synonyms when precision is needed, such as in wildlife reports.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кожистый" as a standalone noun instead of the full phrase (e.g., saying "кожистый" to mean the turtle). Correct: Always use "кожистая черепаха" for accuracy. Explanation: "Кожистый" is an adjective meaning "leathery," so it needs the noun "черепаха" to form a complete term.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as "кожистая черепах" (missing the final 'a'). Correct: "кожистая черепаха" in nominative singular. Explanation: Russian nouns like "черепаха" must end in 'a' for feminine singular forms; omitting it changes the word unrecognizably.

• Error: Confusing with "черепаха" alone, which means any turtle. Correct: Specify "кожистая" for the leatherback. Explanation: This leads to vagueness; always add the adjective for species-specific references.

Cultural Notes:

The leatherback turtle, or "кожистая черепаха," holds cultural significance in Russia, particularly in regions like the Black Sea or Pacific coast, where it symbolizes marine biodiversity. In Russian environmental movements, it's often featured in conservation efforts, reflecting broader themes of ecological protection amid climate change. Historically, indigenous stories in Russian folklore sometimes reference sea creatures like turtles as omens of the sea's power, though not specifically for leatherbacks.

Related Concepts:

• морские черепахи (sea turtles)
• загрязнение океана (ocean pollution)
• биологическое разнообразие (biodiversity)