Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'molt'

English Word: molt

Key Russian Translations:

• линька [ˈlʲinkə] - [Noun, Formal, Used in biological or scientific contexts]
• линять [ˈlʲinʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Informal or Neutral, Used to describe the process of shedding feathers or skin]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, biological, or zoological discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian noun and verb inflections, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

линька: [ˈlʲinkə]

линять: [ˈlʲinʲɪtʲ]

Note on линька: The soft 'л' sound (palatalized) can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in 'million'. Pronounce it with a slight emphasis on the 'i' vowel.

Note on линьать: The verb ending '-ать' is pronounced with a soft 'й' sound; practice with native audio to master the infinitive form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The process of an animal shedding its feathers, fur, or skin (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• линька - Used in formal or scientific descriptions of animal biology, such as in wildlife documentaries or textbooks.

Usage Examples:

• Во время линьки птицы становятся уязвимыми для хищников.

  During molting, birds become vulnerable to predators.

• Змеи проходят линьку несколько раз в год для роста.

  Snakes undergo molting several times a year for growth.

• Линька у млекопитающих часто связана с сезонными изменениями.

  Molting in mammals is often linked to seasonal changes.

• В зоопарке мы наблюдали линьку слона в летний период.

  At the zoo, we observed the elephant's molting during the summer period.

• Линька помогает животным адаптироваться к новым условиям среды.

  Molting helps animals adapt to new environmental conditions.

Meaning 2: The act of shedding or changing (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• линять - Used in descriptive narratives, often in informal or educational contexts, to indicate ongoing or habitual actions.

Usage Examples:

• Птицы линяют осенью, чтобы подготовиться к зиме.

  Birds molt in the fall to prepare for winter.

• Если змея начинает линять, ей нужно больше влаги.

  If a snake starts to molt, it needs more moisture.

• Мой кот линяет каждый весной, и это создает много шерсти в доме.

  My cat molts every spring, and it creates a lot of fur in the house.

• В дикой природе животные линяют, чтобы заменить поврежденные перья.

  In the wild, animals molt to replace damaged feathers.

• Рыбы линяют реже, чем млекопитающие, но процесс похожий.

  Fish molt less frequently than mammals, but the process is similar.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For линька (feminine noun, 1st declension):

This noun follows standard Russian feminine noun patterns with inflections for case and number. It is invariable in plural forms in some contexts but typically declines as below:

For линять (verb, 1st conjugation):

This is an imperfective verb with regular conjugations. It changes based on tense, aspect, and person. Example in present tense:

Past tense: линял (masc.), линяла (fem.), etc. Perfective aspect is often expressed with related verbs like "сбросить" for specific actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сменить шкуру (smexit' shkuru) - More literal, used for reptiles; implies a complete change.
  • сбросить перья (sbrosit' per'ya) - Specific to birds; focuses on feathers.
• Antonyms:
  • не линять (ne linat') - Simply the negation, but not a direct antonym.
  • удерживать покров (uderzhivat' pokrov) - Meaning to retain or maintain covering, in a metaphorical sense.

Related Phrases:

• Период линьки (Period of molting) - Refers to the seasonal phase; used in biological discussions.
• Линька перьев (Molting of feathers) - Specific to birds; common in ornithology.
• Время линять (Time to molt) - Indicates the onset of the process; often in casual animal care contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "линька" directly corresponds to the noun form of "molt" and is preferred in formal or scientific English-to-Russian translations, while "линять" matches the verb form. Be mindful of context: use "линька" for static processes and "линять" for actions. This word is neutral in register but may require inflection based on sentence structure. When choosing between translations, opt for "линять" in dynamic descriptions (e.g., ongoing events) and "линька" for states. Always consider the aspect in verbs—pair with perfective forms like "сбросить" for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "линька" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я линька" instead of "Я линяю".

  Correct: "Я линяю" (I am molting). Explanation: "Линька" is a noun, so it cannot conjugate as a verb; this confuses learners from languages with less inflection.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "линька" in the wrong case, like "о линька" instead of "о линьке".

  Correct: "О линьке" (About molting). Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement; prepositions dictate the case, so always check the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and literature, terms like "линька" often appear in folk tales or scientific works about nature, reflecting Russia's vast wildlife heritage. For instance, in stories about animals in the taiga or forests, molting symbolizes renewal and adaptation, akin to seasonal cycles in Russian folklore, emphasizing resilience in harsh environments.

Related Concepts:

• оперение (operenie) - Feathering
• шкура (shkura) - Skin or hide
• сезонные изменения (sezonnye izmeneniya) - Seasonal changes