Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mold'

English Word: mold

Key Russian Translations:

• плесень [ˈplʲesʲɪnʲ] - [Informal, used for fungal growth on damp surfaces]
• форма [ˈformə] - [Formal, used for a mold as a shaping tool or container]
• матрица [ˈmatrʲɪtsə] - [Technical, specific to industrial or manufacturing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts like health, cooking, and manufacturing, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and contexts, with 'плесень' being slightly easier at A2 and 'форма' at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

плесень: [ˈplʲesʲɪnʲ]

Note on плесень: The 'л' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'luxury'. Pronounce with emphasis on the first syllable.

форма: [ˈformə]

Note on форма: Stress on the first syllable; the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'o' sound, similar to 'for' in English.

матрица: [ˈmatrʲɪtsə]

Note on матрица: The 'рʲ' indicates a palatalized 'r', which is softer; common in technical terms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

First meaning: A fungus or furry growth on damp or decaying matter (e.g., mold on food).

Translation(s) & Context:

• плесень - Used in informal, everyday contexts like describing spoiled food or household mold.

Usage Examples:

• В ванной комнате появилась плесень из-за высокой влажности.

  In the bathroom, mold appeared due to high humidity.

• Не ешьте этот хлеб – на нём плесень.

  Don't eat that bread – it's covered in mold.

• Плесень в подвале может быть опасной для здоровья.

  Mold in the basement can be dangerous to health.

• Из-за плесени на стенах пришлось ремонтировать квартиру.

  Due to mold on the walls, we had to renovate the apartment.

• Плесень часто растёт в тёмных и влажных местах.

  Mold often grows in dark and damp places.

Second meaning: A hollow container used to shape something (e.g., in manufacturing).

Translation(s) & Context:

• форма - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as baking or industrial molding.
• матрица - Applied in specialized fields like engineering or printing.

Usage Examples:

• Используйте силиконовую форму для выпечки кексов.

  Use a silicone mold for baking cupcakes.

• В фабрике матрица используется для литья металла.

  In the factory, the mold is used for casting metal.

• Форма для льда хранится в морозильнике.

  The ice mold is kept in the freezer.

• Дизайнер создал новую матрицу для производства игрушек.

  The designer created a new mold for producing toys.

• Без правильной формы пирог не примет желаемую форму.

  Without the proper mold, the pie won't take the desired shape.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most Russian translations of 'mold' are nouns, which inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Плесень' is a feminine noun (f.), while 'Форма' and 'Матрица' are also feminine.

For 'форма' and 'матрица', follow similar feminine noun patterns, with irregular stress shifts in some cases (e.g., genitive singular: формы, матрицы). These words do not change in gender but inflect regularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грибок (gribok) - Informal synonym for плесень, often used for minor fungal growth.
  • штамп (shtamp) - For форма in manufacturing contexts, implying a stamp-like mold.
  • лекало (lekalo) - Technical synonym for матрица in design.
• Antonyms:
  • чистота (chistota) - Cleanliness, opposing the idea of плесень.
  • деформация (deformatsiya) - Deformation, contrasting with the shaping function of форма.

Related Phrases:

• Плесень на продуктах (Plesen' na produktakh) - Mold on food; refers to spoilage in household contexts.
• Форма для выпечки (Forma dlya vypechki) - Baking mold; a common phrase in cooking.
• Матрица производства (Matritsa proizvodstva) - Production mold; used in industrial settings.
• Борьба с плесенью (Borya s plesen'yu) - Fight against mold; implies cleaning or prevention efforts.

Usage Notes:

'Mold' corresponds most directly to 'плесень' in biological contexts and 'форма' in manufacturing, but English speakers should note that Russian often requires the correct case for grammatical agreement. For example, use genitive case (e.g., плесени) after prepositions like 'из-за' (because of). 'Матрица' is preferred in technical fields, while 'плесень' is more casual. Be mindful of regional variations; in formal writing, opt for 'форма' over slangier alternatives.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'плесень' interchangeably with 'гриб' (fungus), leading to confusion. Correct: 'Плесень' specifically means mold, not all fungi. Example of error: *Гриб на хлебе* (instead of Плесень на хлебе). Explanation: 'Гриб' is broader; use 'плесень' for mold to avoid inaccuracy.
• Mistake: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying *форма в дом* instead of *форму в дом* (accusative). Correct: Always adjust for case, as in *Я использую форму для работы* (I use the mold for work). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions and verbs, which can trip up English learners used to fixed forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'плесень' is often associated with poor living conditions in older buildings, especially in urban areas like Moscow, due to harsh winters and humidity. This can evoke themes of neglect in literature, such as in works by Chekhov, symbolizing decay. 'Форма' in manufacturing reflects Russia's industrial heritage, tied to Soviet-era engineering, emphasizing precision and collectivism.

Related Concepts:

• грибок (gribok)
• влажность (vlagmost')
• производство (proizvodstvo)
• споры (spory)