Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lichen'

English Word: lichen

Key Russian Translations:

• лишайник [lʲɪˈʂajnʲɪk] - [Formal, Scientific context]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific, botanical, or educational contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with biological terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

лишайник: [lʲɪˈʂajnʲɪk]

Note on лишайник: The "ш" sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the "sh" in "shoe," but with a soft palatalized "л" at the beginning. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A symbiotic organism of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, typically growing on rocks or trees.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лишайник - Used in formal scientific, environmental, or educational contexts to describe the organism; common in biology texts or nature discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В лесу мы нашли несколько видов лишайника на старых деревьях.

  In the forest, we found several types of lichen on old trees.

• Лишайник часто используется в исследованиях загрязнения воздуха из-за его чувствительности к токсинам.

  Lichen is often used in studies of air pollution due to its sensitivity to toxins.

• Этот лишайник имеет уникальную структуру, которая помогает ему выживать в суровом климате.

  This lichen has a unique structure that helps it survive in harsh climates.

• В ботаническом саду экспонируются различные лишайники из разных регионов мира.

  In the botanical garden, various lichens from different regions of the world are exhibited.

• Из-за засухи лишайник на скалах стал менее заметным.

  Due to the drought, the lichen on the rocks became less noticeable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лишайник" is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows regular noun declension patterns. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лишай (lishay) - Often used interchangeably in informal or poetic contexts, but less specific to the symbiotic organism.
  • криптогам (kriptogam) - A more technical term for cryptogams, including lichens.
• Antonyms:
  • цветущее растение (tsvetushchee rasteniye) - Flowering plant (as an opposite in botanical classification).

Related Phrases:

• Кора с лишайником (Kora s lishaynikom) - Bark with lichen; refers to natural environments, e.g., in ecology.
• Лишайник на скалах (Lishaynik na skalakh) - Lichen on rocks; common in descriptions of geological formations.
• Разнообразие лишайников (Raznoobrazive lishaynikov) - Diversity of lichens; used in scientific or environmental discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Лишайник" directly corresponds to the English "lichen" in biological contexts but is not used in everyday language. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the appropriate case based on sentence structure (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing translations, prefer "лишайник" for formal writing; avoid it in casual conversations. Be aware of potential confusion with "лишай" (which can mean skin conditions like ringworm), so context is key.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "лишай" instead of "лишайник" in a biological context. Incorrect: "Я видел лишай на дереве." (This implies a skin disease.) Correct: "Я видел лишайник на дереве." Explanation: "Лишай" has multiple meanings, so always specify with "лишайник" for the organism to avoid misunderstanding.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly. Incorrect: "Изучение лишайник" (wrong case). Correct: "Изучение лишайника" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their role in the sentence; learners often overlook this with less common words like this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, lichens are not typically featured in folklore or daily life, but they hold significance in environmental awareness due to Russia's vast natural landscapes. For instance, in regions like Siberia, lichens are studied as indicators of pollution from industrial activities, reflecting broader themes of ecological conservation in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• гриб (grib) - Fungus
• водоросль (vodorosl') - Algae
• симбиоз (simbioz) - Symbiosis