Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'milkweed'

English Word: milkweed

Key Russian Translations:

• молочай /mɐ.lɐˈt͡ɕaj/ - [Formal, Botanical context]
• асклепиас /ɐsˈklʲe.pʲɪ.ɐs/ - [Formal, Scientific terminology]

Frequency: Low (Not commonly used in everyday conversation; more prevalent in botanical or scientific discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian botanical vocabulary and noun declensions, but not overly complex for learners at this level.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

молочай: /mɐ.lɐˈt͡ɕaj/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ч' is a soft palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch'.)

асклепиас: /ɐsˈklʲe.pʲɪ.ɐs/ (Emphasize the second syllable; palatalized consonants like 'склʲ' may be challenging for non-native speakers.)

Note on молочай: Be cautious with the soft 'ч' sound, which can vary slightly in regional accents; it's often softer in formal speech.

Note on асклепиас: This is a borrowed term, so pronunciation is more straightforward, but ensure the palatalization of 'лʲ' and 'пʲ' for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A plant of the genus Asclepias, often found in North America, known for its milky sap and role in ecosystems (e.g., as a food source for monarch butterflies).

Translation(s) & Context:

• молочай - Used in general botanical or everyday contexts when referring to similar plants with milky sap.
• асклепиас - Applied in scientific, formal, or academic settings, such as biology textbooks or research.

Usage Examples:

• В саду расцветает молочай, привлекающий бабочек.

  In the garden, milkweed is blooming, attracting butterflies.

• Молочай часто используется в народной медицине для лечения кожных заболеваний.

  Milkweed is often used in folk medicine for treating skin conditions.

• Учёные изучают асклепиас как важный элемент экосистемы.

  Scientists study milkweed as a key element in the ecosystem.

• Этот молочай имеет ядовитый сок, поэтому с ним нужно обращаться осторожно.

  This milkweed has a poisonous sap, so it needs to be handled with care.

• Асклепиас выращивают в ботанических садах для исследования миграции монархов.

  Milkweed is cultivated in botanical gardens to study monarch butterfly migration.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "молочай" and "асклепиас" are masculine nouns in Russian. They follow standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. "Молочай" is more common and has regular inflections, while "асклепиас" (a borrowed word) may remain unchanged in informal use but can inflect regularly in formal contexts.

Note: These inflections are regular, but "асклепиас" might not always inflect in casual speech due to its foreign origin.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шелковистый асклепиас (More specific, used for silky varieties; implies a subspecies.)
  • пустырник (Sometimes loosely used for similar wild plants, but with different connotations in herbal contexts.)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific plant name. However, contrasting terms like "травы без молока" (milky-sap-free herbs) could be conceptual opposites in botanical discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Дикий молочай - Wild milkweed; Refers to uncultivated varieties in natural habitats.
• Молочай для бабочек - Milkweed for butterflies; Common in ecological contexts, highlighting its role in butterfly conservation.
• Ядовитый сок молочая - Poisonous sap of milkweed; Used when discussing plant dangers or medicinal properties.

Usage Notes:

Milkweed translates most accurately to "молочай" in everyday Russian, especially for general audiences, while "асклепиас" is preferred in scientific or formal settings to maintain precision. Choose "молочай" for informal conversations about plants or nature, but be aware of regional variations—it's more common in botanical literature. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires agreement in gender and number (e.g., "этот молочай" for "this milkweed"). Avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, consider the context, as milkweed's ecological importance (e.g., monarch butterflies) may influence word choice in Russian discussions.

• In formal writing, pair it with adjectives like "дикий" (wild) to specify types.
• English learners should note that Russian often uses diminutives or compounds, e.g., "молодой молочай" for young milkweed plants.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "молочай" with "молоко" (milk), assuming it's literally "milk plant," leading to incorrect usage like saying "молочный куст" instead of "молочай." Correct form: Use "молочай" for the specific plant. Error example: "Молоко трава" (incorrect, as it mixes English and Russian). Right example: "Молочай растет в поле" (Milkweed grows in the field). Another common mistake is improper declension, e.g., using nominative in all cases; always adjust for case, like "о молочае" in genitive contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, milkweed isn't as symbolically significant as in North American contexts (e.g., its association with monarch butterflies and migration). However, it may appear in environmental discussions or literature on biodiversity, reflecting Russia's interest in flora preservation. No strong historical connotations, but it's part of broader botanical heritage in Slavic regions, where similar plants are used in traditional medicine.

Related Concepts:

• бабочка монарх (Monarch butterfly)
• пустырник (Hound's tongue or similar wild herbs)
• травы (General herbs or plants)