Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mammalian'

English Word: mammalian

Key Russian Translations:

• млекопитающий [mʲlʲɪkəpʲɪˈtaɫʲɪj] - [Formal, used in scientific or biological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, and wildlife discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian adjectives and scientific vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

млекопитающий: [mʲlʲɪkəpʲɪˈtaɫʲɪj]

Note on млекопитающий: The pronunciation involves soft consonants (e.g., 'мʲ' and 'пʲ'), which can be challenging for English speakers; stress falls on the fourth syllable. Be mindful of the palatalized 'лʲ' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Relating to or characteristic of mammals (a class of vertebrates that nurse their young with milk).

Translation(s) & Context:

• млекопитающий - Used in formal, scientific, or educational contexts to describe animals or traits associated with mammals; often appears in biology texts or wildlife discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В России обитают различные млекопитающие, такие как медведи и лисы.

  In Russia, various mammals live, such as bears and foxes. (This example shows the adjective in a descriptive, geographical context.)

• Млекопитающие животные имеют уникальные адаптации к окружающей среде.

  Mammalian animals have unique adaptations to their environment. (Illustrates use in a scientific discussion about animal biology.)

• Исследование фокусируется на млекопитающих видах в сибирских лесах.

  The study focuses on mammalian species in the Siberian forests. (Demonstrates application in academic or research settings.)

• Млекопитающий скелет отличается от скелета рептилий.

  The mammalian skeleton differs from that of reptiles. (Highlights comparative usage in anatomy.)

• В зоопарке можно увидеть редких млекопитающих из разных континентов.

  In the zoo, you can see rare mammals from different continents. (Shows everyday educational context, like a zoo visit.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Млекопитающий" is an adjective in Russian, which typically follows regular patterns of agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. It is derived from the noun "млекопитающее" (mammal) and can inflect based on the noun it modifies. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always ensure agreement with the governing noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ссавец (more archaic or poetic, often used in older texts; less common in modern scientific contexts)
  • млеконосный (emphasizes milk-producing aspect, with subtle nuance in biological discussions)
• Antonyms:
  • бесхвостый (tailless, implying non-mammalian traits in some contexts)
  • не-млекопитающий (non-mammalian, a direct negation but less idiomatic)

Related Phrases:

• Млекопитающие животные - Mammalian animals (a common phrase in biology to refer to the class as a whole).
• Млекопитающий мир - The world of mammals (used in educational or documentary contexts to discuss biodiversity).
• Высшие млекопитающие - Higher mammals (implies more advanced species, with a connotation of evolutionary complexity in scientific discourse).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "млекопитающий" directly corresponds to the English "mammalian" as an adjective, but it's primarily used in formal or technical settings rather than everyday speech. Always ensure gender, number, and case agreement with the noun it modifies—for example, use "млекопитающая" for feminine nouns. If you're translating from English, choose this term for scientific accuracy, but in casual conversation, Russians might opt for simpler phrases like "животные, которые кормят молоком" (animals that feed with milk). Be cautious with context: in biology, it's standard, but in general writing, it might sound overly academic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the noun form "млекопитающее" instead of the adjective "млекопитающий" when describing traits. For example, an English learner might say "млекопитающее скелет" (incorrect) instead of "млекопитающий скелет" (correct).

  Correct: млекопитающий скелет (The mammalian skeleton). Explanation: "Млекопитающее" is a noun meaning "mammal," so it can't directly modify another noun; use the adjective form for descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "млекопитающий лиса" (incorrect) for a feminine noun like "лиса" (fox). Correct: млекопитающая лиса. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun's gender; this is a common pitfall for speakers of non-inflected languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "млекопитающий" often appear in discussions of Russia's vast wildlife, such as in literature by authors like Leo Tolstoy or in modern environmental education. It reflects a deep appreciation for nature in Russian heritage, where animals like bears (a symbol of Russia) are frequently referenced, emphasizing the country's biodiversity in the face of harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• животные (animals)
• позвоночные (vertebrates)
• ссавцы (mammals, as a noun)