Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mimicry'

English Word: mimicry

Key Russian Translations:

• мимикрия [mʲɪˈmʲikrʲɪjə] - [Formal, Biological context, Singular]
• подражание [pədrɐˈʐanʲɪje] - [Informal, General imitation, Plural possible]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific or specialized contexts, not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for мимикрия, as it involves technical vocabulary; C1 for подражание, due to nuanced usage in broader contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мимикрия: [mʲɪˈmʲikrʲɪjə]

Note on мимикрия: The stress falls on the third syllable ("kri"), which is common in Russian loanwords. Pronounce the "мʲ" softly, as in many Slavic languages.

подражание: [pədrɐˈʐanʲɪje]

Note on подражание: The "ʐ" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the "zh" in "measure." It may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Biological Mimicry (e.g., protective resemblance in animals)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мимикрия - Used in scientific or biological discussions, such as animal adaptations for survival in the wild.

Usage Examples:

• В природе многие насекомые используют мимикрию, чтобы походить на листья или другие объекты.

  In nature, many insects use mimicry to resemble leaves or other objects.

• Мимикрия помогает животным избегать хищников, маскируясь под окружающую среду.

  Mimicry helps animals avoid predators by blending into their surroundings.

• Учёные изучают мимикрию в эволюционной биологии для понимания адаптации видов.

  Scientists study mimicry in evolutionary biology to understand species adaptation.

• Пример мимикрии — когда бабочки копируют цвета ядовитых особей.

  An example of mimicry is when butterflies copy the colors of poisonous species.

General Imitation (e.g., behavioral or artistic mimicry)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подражание - Applied in everyday, artistic, or social contexts, such as imitating behaviors or sounds.

Usage Examples:

• Дети часто учатся через подражание родителям в повседневной жизни.

  Children often learn through imitating their parents in everyday life.

• В театре актёры используют подражание для создания реалистичных персонажей.

  In theater, actors use imitation to create realistic characters.

• Подражание знаменитостям может быть частью подростковой культуры.

  Imitating celebrities can be part of teenage culture.

• Художники иногда практикуют подражание мастерам прошлого для развития стиля.

  Artists sometimes practice imitating masters of the past to develop their style.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns. "Мимикрия" is a feminine noun of the first declension, which follows regular patterns. "Подражание" is a neuter noun of the second declension, also regular but with slight variations in plural forms.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities in standard usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • имитация [ʲɪmʲɪˈtaʦɨjə] - More general term, often used interchangeably but less specific to biology.
  • копирование [kəpʲɪˈrəvanʲɪje] - Emphasizes replication, common in artistic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • оригинальность [ɐrʲɪgʲɪnɐlʲnəsʲtʲ] - Uniqueness or originality, contrasting with imitation.
  • автентічность [ɐftʲɛntʲɪʧnəsʲtʲ] - Authenticity, highlighting the opposite of mimicry in cultural contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Защитная мимикрия - Protective mimicry; used in biology to describe defensive adaptations.
• Подражание природе - Imitation of nature; common in art or design contexts.
• Батрахическая мимикрия - Batesian mimicry; a specific type of mimicry in evolutionary biology.

Usage Notes:

The English word "mimicry" most closely aligns with "мимикрия" in biological or scientific contexts, while "подражание" is better for everyday or behavioral imitation. Use "мимикрия" in formal writing or academic discussions to maintain precision. Be mindful of context: Russian often requires the appropriate case for grammatical agreement, such as in prepositional phrases. When choosing between translations, opt for "подражание" in informal settings to sound more natural. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the broader semantic field.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "мимикрия" with "имитация," thinking they are identical. Error: Using "имитация" in a biological context (e.g., "имитация животных" instead of "мимикрия животных"). Correct: "Мимикрия животных" means "animal mimicry" specifically. Explanation: "Имитация" is more general and can imply artificial copying, whereas "мимикрия" denotes natural evolutionary traits.

• Misinflecting nouns, such as using the wrong case in sentences. Error: "Я изучаю мимикрия" (incorrect genitive). Correct: "Я изучаю мимикрию" (accusative for direct object). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their role in the sentence; always check the declension table.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мимикрия" is often discussed in the context of Soviet-era biology and evolutionary theory, influenced by figures like Darwin. It symbolizes adaptation and survival, appearing in literature and education to emphasize resilience in harsh environments, such as the Russian wilderness.

Related Concepts:

• адаптация
• камуфляж
• эволюция