Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'minnow'

English Word: minnow

Key Russian Translations:

• уклейка [ʊklʲejkə] - [Informal, used in everyday or fishing contexts]
• мелкая рыба [ˈmʲɛlkəjə ˈrɨbə] - [General term, Formal or Neutral]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in specific contexts like fishing, zoology, or literature.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level according to CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to nature, with slight variations in difficulty: 'уклейка' is straightforward, while 'мелкая рыба' involves adjective agreement.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

уклейка: [ʊklʲejkə]

Note on уклейка: The stress is on the second syllable ('klej'), and the 'й' sound is a soft palatal approximant, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a quick, light 'y' sound.

мелкая рыба: [ˈmʲɛlkəjə ˈrɨbə]

Note on мелкая рыба: 'Мелкая' is an adjective with a soft 'л' sound; ensure the stress on the first syllable of each word. The 'ы' in 'рыба' is a back unrounded vowel, distinct from English 'i' sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small freshwater fish, often used in fishing or as bait

Translation(s) & Context:

• уклейка - Used in informal or recreational contexts, such as describing small fish in rivers or lakes.
• мелкая рыба - A more general term, suitable for formal descriptions in biology or educational settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я поймал уклейку в реке и отпустил её обратно.

  I caught a minnow in the river and released it back.

• В пруду много мелкой рыбы, включая уклейку.

  There are many minnows in the pond, including the common type.

• Уклейка – это маленькая рыбка, которую часто используют как наживку.

  A minnow is a small fish that's often used as bait.

• Моя дочь видела стаю мелкой рыбы в озере во время прогулки.

  My daughter saw a school of minnows in the lake during our walk.

• В русской литературе уклейка иногда символизирует хрупкость природы.

  In Russian literature, a minnow sometimes symbolizes the fragility of nature.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are nouns, with 'уклейка' being a feminine noun (first declension) and 'мелкая рыба' involving a feminine noun ('рыба') with an adjective ('мелкая'). Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. 'Уклейка' follows regular patterns, while adjectives like 'мелкая' must agree in gender, number, and case.

Note: 'Уклейка' is invariant in plural for some cases but follows standard feminine patterns. Adjectives like 'мелкая' change to match the noun's form, which is a common feature in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мальок (a young or small fish, often used interchangeably but more specific to fry)
  • небольшая рыбка (a diminutive form, emphasizing small size)
• Antonyms:
  • большая рыба (large fish, contrasting in size)
  • хищная рыба (predatory fish, implying a different ecological role)

Explanation: 'Мальок' is similar to 'уклейка' but may imply younger fish, while antonyms highlight opposites in scale or behavior.

Related Phrases:

• ловить уклейку – To catch minnows (often in recreational fishing contexts).
• стаю мелкой рыбы – A school of minnows (used to describe groups in water bodies).
• уклейка как наживка – Minnow as bait (common in angling or fishing idioms).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'уклейка' is the most direct equivalent to 'minnow' for specific small fish species, while 'мелкая рыба' is a broader term. Choose 'уклейка' for informal or precise contexts like fishing, and 'мелкая рыба' for general descriptions. Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian sentences, as 'мелкая' must match the noun's gender and case. This vocabulary is more common in rural or outdoor settings rather than urban conversations.

• English speakers often confuse 'minnow' with other small fish; in Russian, ensure the context specifies the type to avoid ambiguity.
• If the word is used metaphorically (e.g., for something insignificant), 'уклейка' can carry a similar connotation in literary Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'уклейка' without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я видел уклейка" instead of "Я видел уклейку".
  Correct: "Я видел уклейку" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case; always check the sentence structure.
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement in phrases like "мелкая рыба", e.g., saying "мелкий рыба" in plural.
  Correct: "мелкие рыбы". Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun in gender, number, and case, which is a frequent mistake for English learners due to English's lack of this feature.
• Error: Overusing 'уклейка' in formal writing; it may sound too casual.
  Correct: Opt for 'мелкая рыба' in scientific or formal contexts. Explanation: Context dictates word choice to maintain appropriate register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, small fish like the minnow ('уклейка') often appear in folklore and literature as symbols of humility or the unpredictability of nature. For instance, in traditional Russian folktales, such fish might represent clever underdogs in stories involving larger predators, reflecting themes of survival in harsh environments like Russia's vast rivers and lakes.

Related Concepts:

• карась (carp)
• пескарь (gudgeon)
• рыболовство (fishing)