Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'meat'

English Word: meat

Key Russian Translations:

• мясо [ˈmʲæsə] - [Neutral, commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in daily conversations about food and cooking, but not as basic as everyday nouns like "дом" (house).)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for new learners of Russian, as it follows basic noun patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мясо: [ˈmʲæsə]

Note on мясо: The initial "м" is pronounced with a soft "y" sound due to the following "я", which can be tricky for English speakers. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The flesh of an animal used as food.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мясо - Used in general contexts for animal flesh as food, such as in recipes or shopping lists. Common in neutral or informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил свежее мясо на рынке. (Ya kupil svezheye myaso na rynke.)

  I bought fresh meat at the market. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday shopping.)

• В супе должно быть больше мяса. (V supye dolzhno byt' bol'she myasa.)

  There should be more meat in the soup. (Demonstrates the noun in a genitive context, emphasizing quantity in cooking.)

• Мясо в этом ресторане всегда качественное. (Myaso v etom restorane vsegda kachestvennoye.)

  The meat in this restaurant is always high-quality. (Illustrates use in a descriptive sentence about quality, in a formal dining context.)

• Она не ест мясо по этическим причинам. (Ona ne yest myaso po etichyeskim prichinam.)

  She doesn't eat meat for ethical reasons. (Shows the noun in a negative context, related to dietary choices.)

• Мясо готовится на гриле. (Myaso gotovitsya na grilye.)

  The meat is being cooked on the grill. (Exemplifies the noun with a verb, in an action-oriented sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Мясо" is a neuter noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for neuter nouns but has irregularities in some forms due to its ending. It is invariable in the plural form as it is typically used in singular for mass nouns.

Note: This noun does not change in plural forms because it refers to a substance. For derived words like adjectives (e.g., мясной - meaty), separate inflections apply.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мясной продукт (myasnoy produkt) - Refers specifically to meat products; often used in formal or commercial contexts.
• мясоед (myasoed) - Implies a meat-eater, with a connotation of carnivorous habits.
• Antonyms: овощи (ovoshchi) - Vegetables; used in opposition to animal-based foods.
• фрукты (frukty) - Fruits; highlights plant-based alternatives.

Related Phrases:

• свежее мясо (svezheye myaso) - Fresh meat; commonly used in markets or recipes to emphasize quality.
• мясо на гриле (myaso na grilye) - Grilled meat; a phrase for cooking methods, often in casual dining contexts.
• красное мясо (krasnoye myaso) - Red meat; refers to beef or similar, with health or dietary implications.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мясо" directly corresponds to the English "meat" as a general term for animal flesh used in food. It is a neutral, everyday word but can vary in context: use it in informal settings for daily talk, or in formal writing like recipes. Be mindful of case endings, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions (e.g., "в мясе" for "in the meat"). When choosing among translations, "мясо" is the most straightforward; alternatives like "мясной" (adjectival form) are for modifications. Grammatically, it's an indeclinable mass noun in plural scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я ем мясо" incorrectly as "Я ем мяса" (Ya yem myasa).

  Correct: "Я ем мясо" (I eat meat). Explanation: "Мясо" should be in the accusative case here, not genitive. Learners often confuse cases with verbs of consumption.

• Error: Treating it as plural when it's not, e.g., adding an unnecessary plural ending like "мясаs".

  Correct: Stick to singular forms unless specifying types. Explanation: Russian mass nouns like "мясо" don't pluralize; use qualifiers like "разные виды мяса" (different kinds of meat) instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мясо" holds significant importance in traditional cuisine, such as in dishes like shashlik (kebabs) or borscht with meat. It symbolizes hearty, communal meals, often associated with festivals or family gatherings, reflecting Russia's historical reliance on meat in cold climates. However, with modern dietary shifts, vegetarianism is growing, adding nuanced connotations to the word.

Related Concepts:

• говядина (govadina) - Beef
• свинина (svinina) - Pork
• курица (kuritsa) - Chicken