Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'microorganism'

English Word: microorganism

Key Russian Translations:

• микроорганизм [mʲɪkroɐrɡɐˈnʲɪzm] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, medical, and educational contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

микроорганизм: [mʲɪkroɐrɡɐˈnʲɪzm]

Note on микроорганизм: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("nʲɪzm"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized consonants (e.g., 'mʲ' sounds like a softened 'm'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A microscopic organism, such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus, often studied in biology or medicine.

Translation(s) & Context:

• микроорганизм - Used in formal scientific, educational, or medical discussions, often in contexts involving biology, microbiology, or health.

Usage Examples:

• В лаборатории ученые изучают микроорганизмы, чтобы понять их роль в экосистеме.

  In the laboratory, scientists study microorganisms to understand their role in the ecosystem.

• Микроорганизмы могут быть как полезными, так и вредными для человеческого здоровья.

  Microorganisms can be both beneficial and harmful to human health.

• В школьном уроке биологии мы обсуждали, как микроорганизмы влияют на пищеварение.

  In the biology class, we discussed how microorganisms affect digestion.

• Антибиотики часто используются для борьбы с патогенными микроорганизмами.

  Antibiotics are often used to fight against pathogenic microorganisms.

• Микроорганизмы в почве помогают в разложении органических веществ.

  Microorganisms in the soil help in the decomposition of organic matter.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Микроорганизм" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • микроб (more informal, often used for bacteria specifically; implies smaller scale)
  • микрофауна (used in ecological contexts for microscopic animal life)
• Antonyms:
  • макроорганизм (refers to larger organisms visible to the naked eye)

Related Phrases:

• патогенный микроорганизм - A pathogenic microorganism (refers to microbes that cause disease, commonly used in medical discussions).
• полезные микроорганизмы - Beneficial microorganisms (e.g., those used in probiotics or fermentation processes).
• микроорганизмы почвы - Soil microorganisms (important in agriculture and environmental science).

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "микроорганизм" directly corresponds to the English "microorganism" and is primarily used in formal, scientific, or educational settings. It is a neuter noun that requires agreement in gender, number, and case with other words in a sentence, such as adjectives or verbs. For instance, always use the appropriate declension when discussing specific contexts (e.g., "в микроорганизме" for "in the microorganism"). If the context is more casual, "микроб" might be a better alternative, but "микроорганизм" is preferred for precision in academic writing. When choosing between translations, opt for "микроорганизм" in biology-related topics to maintain formality.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the declensions, e.g., using the nominative "микроорганизм" in all cases. Incorrect: "Я изучаю микроорганизм" (when it should be genitive in some contexts). Correct: "Я изучаю микроорганизма" (for "I am studying the microorganism" in a possessive sense). This error stems from not applying Russian case rules.

• Another common mistake is mispronouncing the word by ignoring palatalization, e.g., saying [mɪkroɐrɡɐnɪzm] instead of [mʲɪkroɐrɡɐˈnʲɪzm]. This can make the word sound unnatural; practice with native audio to master the soft consonants.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, "микроорганизм" gained prominence during the Soviet era through advancements in microbiology, such as those by scientists like Louis Pasteur's influences. It often carries connotations of both wonder and caution in popular media, reflecting Russia's emphasis on scientific education and public health campaigns, especially in contexts like vaccine development.

Related Concepts:

• бактерия (bacteria)
• вирус (virus)
• грибок (fungus)
• экосистема (ecosystem)