Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'locust'

English Word: locust

Key Russian Translations:

• саранча [sɐˈrant͡ɕə] - [Formal, used in scientific and agricultural contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in contexts like agriculture, biology, or news about pests.)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate; involves basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to nature, but pronunciation of the 'ч' sound may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

саранча: [sɐˈrant͡ɕə]

Note on саранча: The 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in the Scottish "loch". Stress falls on the second syllable, which is common in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the soft sign 'ч' for accurate articulation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A swarming insect that migrates and destroys crops (primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• саранча - Used in formal contexts like scientific reports, environmental discussions, or literature to describe migratory pests. It is the standard term for locusts in Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В прошлом году саранча уничтожила урожай на полях.

  Last year, locusts destroyed the crops in the fields. (This example shows the noun in a nominative case, discussing agricultural impact.)

• Саранча часто появляется в засушливых регионах, вызывая серьезные проблемы для фермеров.

  Locusts often appear in arid regions, causing serious problems for farmers. (Illustrates the noun in various grammatical structures, such as prepositional phrases.)

• Ученые изучают миграцию саранчи, чтобы предотвратить будущие нашествия.

  Scientists are studying the migration of locusts to prevent future invasions. (Demonstrates use in a genitive context and with verbs related to research.)

• В Африке саранча представляет реальную угрозу для продовольственной безопасности.

  In Africa, locusts pose a real threat to food security. (Shows the noun in an instrumental or broader geopolitical context.)

• Если не контролировать популяцию саранчи, она может опустошить целые районы.

  If the population of locusts is not controlled, it can devastate entire regions. (Highlights conditional sentences and plural implications.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Саранча is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners. It remains unchanged in the plural genitive and accusative forms in some contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кузнечик (kuznečik) - More general term for grasshoppers, but can imply similarity in some contexts; often used informally.
  • перелетная саранча (pereletnaja saranča) - Specifically for migratory types, with a nuance toward long-distance movement.
• Antonyms:
  • пчела (pčela) - Bee; represents beneficial insects in contrast to destructive ones.
  • бабочка (babočka) - Butterfly; often symbolizes beauty and non-harmful nature.

Related Phrases:

• Нашествие саранчи (Nasešenie saranči) - Invasion of locusts; refers to a swarm outbreak, often in agricultural crises.
• Борьба с саранчой (Bor'ba s sarančoj) - Fight against locusts; used in contexts of pest control and environmental management.
• Саранча в пустыне (Saranča v pustyne) - Locusts in the desert; a common phrase in discussions of arid ecosystems.

Usage Notes:

Саранча directly corresponds to the English 'locust' in its literal sense as a type of insect. It is primarily used in formal or technical contexts, such as scientific literature, news reports, or environmental discussions, rather than everyday speech. When translating from English, ensure the context specifies migratory behavior, as 'saранча' implies this. Grammatically, as a feminine noun, it requires appropriate adjective agreement (e.g., большая саранча for 'big locust'). If multiple translations exist, choose 'saранча' for precision; avoid synonyms like 'кузнечик' unless the context is more general. Be aware of regional variations in Russian dialects, where pronunciation might soften.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'саранча' with 'кузнечик' and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: "Это кузнечик" when meaning locusts. Correct: "Это саранча" for migratory swarms. Explanation: 'Кузнечик' refers to grasshoppers in general, which are not always destructive, so this misuse can lead to miscommunication in agricultural contexts.

• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Борьба саранча" (missing genitive). Correct: "Борьба с саранчой". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; learners often overlook this, especially in prepositional phrases.

• Error: Mispronouncing the 'ч' sound as a hard 'ch'. Incorrect Pronunciation: [sɐˈranʧə] (like English 'church'). Correct: [sɐˈrant͡ɕə] (soft, palatal fricative). Explanation: This can make the word sound unnatural to native speakers; practice with audio resources.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, 'саранча' is often associated with biblical plagues and natural disasters, as referenced in literature like Tolstoy's works or folk tales. It symbolizes chaos and famine, particularly in rural areas of Russia and Central Asia, where locust invasions have historically threatened harvests. This cultural connotation can add depth to discussions in media or education, emphasizing resilience against environmental challenges.

Related Concepts:

• жуки (žuki) - Beetles
• насекомые (nasekomye) - Insects
• урожай (urožaj) - Harvest