Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leek'

English Word: leek

Key Russian Translations:

• лук-порей [luk paˈrɛj] - [Formal, Culinary Context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in culinary discussions and recipes, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should recognize it in context, though familiarity with Russian noun declensions is needed for accurate usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лук-порей: [luk paˈrɛj]

Note on лук-порей: The stress falls on the second syllable of "порей" ([paˈrɛj]), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A type of vegetable similar to onion, often used in cooking.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лук-порей - Used in formal or culinary contexts, such as recipes or grocery lists, to refer specifically to the leek vegetable.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил свежий лук-порей на рынке для салата.

  I bought fresh leeks at the market for the salad.

• В этом рецепте супа используется лук-порей для придания аромата.

  In this soup recipe, leeks are used to add flavor.

• Лук-порей можно нарезать кольцами и добавить в овощной гарнир.

  Leeks can be sliced into rings and added to a vegetable side dish.

• В русской кухне лук-порей иногда заменяют обычным луком, но вкус отличается.

  In Russian cuisine, leeks are sometimes substituted with regular onions, but the flavor is different.

• Она посадила лук-порей в саду, чтобы собрать урожай осенью.

  She planted leeks in the garden to harvest them in the fall.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

лук-порей is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard declension patterns for nouns ending in a consonant. It is invariable in its compound form but can change based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its basic declensions:

Note: The word is relatively regular but may have slight variations in informal speech. It does not change for gender as it is inherently masculine.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • порей (more poetic or less common, often used in literary contexts)
  • лук репчатый (though not exact, sometimes confused in informal settings)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific vegetable term. However, contrasting terms might include "чеснок" (garlic) for flavor profiles.

Related Phrases:

• Свежий лук-порей - Fresh leeks; Used in shopping lists or recipes to emphasize quality.
• Лук-порей в супе - Leeks in soup; A common phrase in culinary instructions.
• Выращивание лука-порея - Growing leeks; Refers to gardening or agriculture contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лук-порей" directly corresponds to the English "leek" as a specific type of vegetable, distinct from "лук" (which means onion). It is typically used in formal or written contexts like recipes and is less common in everyday speech. When choosing between translations, opt for "лук-порей" in culinary discussions to avoid confusion with other onions. Grammatically, remember its masculine noun status and declension in sentences. For example, in prepositional phrases, use the correct case: "Я думаю о луке-порее" (I am thinking about leeks).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "лук-порей" with "лук" (onion) and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: "Я ем лук" to mean "I eat leeks." Correct: "Я ем лук-порей." Explanation: This mistake arises from similar appearances, but "лук" specifically means onion, leading to miscommunication in recipes.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Купить лук-порей" in a genitive context. Correct: "Купить лука-порея." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must adjust for context to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, leeks (лук-порей) are not as central as in some European cuisines, like Welsh or French, but they appear in traditional dishes such as soups and salads. Historically, they were introduced through trade and are more common in urban or cosmopolitan areas, symbolizing fresh, healthy eating in modern Russian diets.

Related Concepts:

• лук (onion)
• чеснок (garlic)
• овощи (vegetables)