Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mollusk'

English Word: mollusk

Key Russian Translations:

• моллюск /mɐˈlʲusk/ - [Neutral; used in scientific, biological, or general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, or wildlife-related discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian phonetics and borrowed words from English, as it is a loanword with straightforward grammar but potential pronunciation challenges)

Pronunciation (Russian):

моллюск: /mɐˈlʲusk/ (The "лʲ" represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which may be difficult for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'million' in English)

Note on моллюск: The stress is on the second syllable. Be cautious with the palatalization; in fast speech, it might blend into surrounding sounds. Variations in regional accents (e.g., in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg) could slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The primary meaning: An invertebrate animal with a soft body, often protected by a shell, belonging to the phylum Mollusca.

Translation(s) & Context:

• "моллюск" - Used in scientific, educational, or descriptive contexts when discussing marine life, biology, or zoology; appropriate for formal writing or conversations about nature.

Usage Examples:

• Моллюски — это разнообразная группа беспозвоночных, которая включает улиток и мидий.

  Mollusks are a diverse group of invertebrates that include snails and mussels. (This example shows the word in a general biological description.)

• В океане обитают тысячи видов моллюсков, таких как кальмары и устрицы.

  In the ocean, thousands of species of mollusks live, such as squids and oysters. (This demonstrates usage in a marine biology context, highlighting variety.)

• Изучение моллюсков помогает понять эволюцию жизни на Земле.

  Studying mollusks helps understand the evolution of life on Earth. (Here, the word is used in an academic or scientific discussion.)

• Многие моллюски имеют защитные раковины, чтобы уберечься от хищников.

  Many mollusks have protective shells to defend themselves from predators. (This example illustrates the word in a descriptive, ecological context.)

• В кулинарии моллюски, как осьминоги, часто используются в салатах.

  In cuisine, mollusks like octopuses are often used in salads. (This shows the word in a practical, everyday application related to food.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Моллюск" is a masculine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections for case and number. There are no irregularities, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: As a loanword, it doesn't have verbal forms, but its plural and case changes are essential for correct sentence structure in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мягкотелый (myagkotelyy) - Less specific, often used for soft-bodied creatures in general; implies a broader category.
  • раковина (rakovina) - Refers specifically to the shell of a mollusk; used when focusing on the protective structure rather than the animal itself.
• Antonyms:
  • позвоночные (pozvonochnyye) - Refers to vertebrates, contrasting with invertebrates like mollusks.

Related Phrases:

• Морские моллюски - Sea mollusks; commonly used in discussions about marine biology or seafood.
• Свежие моллюски - Fresh mollusks; refers to culinary contexts, such as in markets or recipes.
• Группа моллюсков - Group of mollusks; used in scientific classifications or educational settings.

Usage Notes:

"Моллюск" directly corresponds to the English "mollusk" as a borrowed term, making it a precise translation in scientific and educational contexts. However, in everyday Russian, it may sound formal; opt for more descriptive phrases in casual speech. Always consider the case and number for grammatical accuracy, as Russian requires agreement with other words in the sentence. When multiple translations exist, choose "моллюск" for technical precision, but "раковина" if emphasizing the shell. It's gender-neutral in usage but treated as masculine in Russian grammar.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Mispronouncing as /mɒlʊsk/ (like the English version), ignoring the palatalized 'l' and stress.
  Correct: /mɐˈlʲusk/ - English speakers often forget palatalization; practice with native audio to avoid this.
• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу моллюск" when it should be "Я вижу моллюска" in accusative.
  Correct: Always check the sentence structure; Russian requires cases for direct objects. Example of error: "Изучение моллюск" (wrong) vs. "Изучение моллюска" (correct).
• Mistake: Confusing with "млекопитающее" (mammal), leading to incorrect categorization.
  Correct: Remember that "моллюск" specifically means invertebrates; provide context to differentiate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, mollusks like oysters and mussels are often associated with cuisine, particularly in coastal regions such as the Black Sea or Far East. They symbolize abundance in folklore and are featured in traditional dishes, reflecting Russia's vast marine heritage. However, as a scientific term, it lacks deep cultural connotations compared to native words like "рыба" (fish), which have historical ties in literature and art.

Related Concepts:

• беспозвоночные (invertebrates)
• раковины (shells)
• морские животные (marine animals)