Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lychee'

English Word: lychee

Key Russian Translations:

• личи (/ˈlʲitɕi/) - [Common, used in everyday contexts for the fruit]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not among the most common in everyday Russian, but it appears in discussions about food, exotic fruits, or international cuisine.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 level per CEFR; it's a borrowed word from English/Chinese, requiring familiarity with Russian pronunciation of foreign terms and basic noun inflections.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

личи: /ˈlʲitɕi/ (The stress is on the first syllable, with a soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalized consonant.)

Note on личи: Be mindful of the soft 'л' (as in 'lyu' in 'lychee'), which is common in Russian loanwords. The 'ч' is pronounced like 'ch' in 'church'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The tropical fruit of the lychee tree, known for its sweet, juicy flesh.

Translation(s) & Context:

• личи - Used in casual or formal discussions about food, imports, or exotic produce; common in modern Russian due to global trade.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю есть личи после ужина.

  I love eating lychees after dinner. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing personal preference.)

• В супермаркете продаются свежие личи из Китая.

  Fresh lychees from China are sold in the supermarket. (Illustrates the word in a context involving origin and commerce, with genitive case usage.)

• Личи — это экзотический фрукт, который редко встречается в России.

  Lychees are an exotic fruit that is rarely found in Russia. (Demonstrates plural form and descriptive context, highlighting cultural unfamiliarity.)

• Она приготовила салат с личи и манго.

  She made a salad with lychees and mangoes. (Shows the word in a culinary context, combined with other nouns.)

• В жару личи освежают лучше, чем обычные яблоки.

  In the heat, lychees refresh better than regular apples. (Uses the word in a comparative structure, emphasizing sensory qualities.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Личи" is a neuter noun of the second declension in Russian, borrowed from English/Chinese. It follows standard noun inflections but may vary slightly in informal use. As a plural noun in common contexts, it inflects regularly.

Note: In informal speech, inflections may be simplified, and the word is often treated as indeclinable in plural forms due to its foreign origin.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • личи фрукт (more descriptive, emphasizing it's a fruit; used when specifying type)
  • китайская слива (literally "Chinese plum," a folk synonym in some regions, highlighting cultural origin)
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "личи" is a specific noun. However, contrasting terms might include "местные фрукты" (local fruits) in discussions of exotic vs. native produce.

Related Phrases:

• Свежие личи - Fresh lychees; often used in shopping or dietary contexts.
• Личи в сиропе - Lychees in syrup; refers to canned or preserved forms, common in Russian imports.
• Экзотические личи - Exotic lychees; used to describe rare varieties in travel or cuisine discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "личи" directly corresponds to the English "lychee" as a noun for the fruit, but it's a loanword, so it's more common in urban or international contexts rather than rural ones. Always use it in the appropriate case based on sentence structure; for example, in genitive for possession (e.g., "я ем личи" vs. "я ем фрукт личи"). If multiple translations exist, prefer "личи" for precision, but "китайская слива" might be used in informal or poetic speech. Be aware of regional variations in pronunciation across Russian-speaking areas.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper inflection, e.g., saying "я ем личи" in a context requiring genitive, like "я ем фрукт личи" (incorrect as "личи фрукт" should be "личи" in nominative).

  Correct: Я ем личи из Китая. (I eat lychees from China.)
  Explanation: English learners often forget Russian case endings; always adjust for the sentence's grammatical role to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Mispronouncing the soft 'л' as a hard 'l', making it sound like "lichi" instead of /ˈlʲitɕi/.
  Correct Pronunciation: /ˈlʲitɕi/
  Explanation: This can lead to confusion with similar words; practice with native audio to master the palatalization.

Cultural Notes:

"Личи" originates from Chinese culture, where the fruit symbolizes love and good fortune, often featured in Lunar New Year celebrations. In Russia, it's associated with imported goods from Asia, reflecting modern globalization and the influence of Chinese cuisine on Russian diets, especially in big cities like Moscow.

Related Concepts:

• манго (mango)
• ананас (pineapple)
• экзотические фрукты (exotic fruits)