Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'moult'

English Word: moult

Key Russian Translations:

• линька [ˈlʲinkə] - [Noun, General; used in biological or zoological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, educational, and wildlife discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and biological terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

линька: [ˈlʲinkə]

Note on линька: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'лʲ' sound is a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in "million". Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The process of an animal shedding feathers, fur, or skin periodically for renewal.

Translation(s) & Context:

• линька - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts to describe animal molting, such as in biology textbooks or wildlife documentaries.

Usage Examples:

• Во время линьки птицы часто выглядят менее яркими, так как их перья обновляются.

  During moulting, birds often look less vibrant as their feathers are renewed.

• Змеи проходят линьку несколько раз в год, чтобы расти и обновлять кожу.

  Snakes undergo moulting several times a year to grow and renew their skin.

• Весной у многих млекопитающих начинается линька, что помогает им адаптироваться к теплу.

  In spring, many mammals begin moulting, which helps them adapt to the warmth.

• Линька у котят может быть болезненной, если шерсть запутывается.

  Moulting in kittens can be painful if the fur gets tangled.

• В зоопарке мы наблюдали, как слон проходит линьку, и это было fascинating.

  At the zoo, we observed an elephant undergoing moulting, and it was fascinating.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Линька" is a feminine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: смена покрова (change of cover; more poetic or descriptive), выпадение волос (hair loss; specific to fur or hair)
• Смена покрова is often used in literary contexts for a more elegant description, while выпадение волос is more literal for animal fur.
• Antonyms: рост (growth; referring to the opposite process of developing new feathers or fur)

Related Phrases:

• Период линьки - Period of moulting; used to describe the seasonal phase in animals (e.g., in veterinary discussions).
• Обновление покрова - Renewal of the cover; a phrase for the overall process in wildlife biology.
• Линька перьев - Moulting of feathers; specific to birds and often in ornithology contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Линька" directly corresponds to the English "moult" as a noun, primarily in scientific or natural contexts. It is neutral in tone and can be used formally in educational settings or informally in everyday conversations about pets. Be cautious with context: in Russian, it's more common to specify the animal type (e.g., "линька у птиц") for clarity. When choosing between synonyms like "смена покрова", opt for it in literary writing for nuance, but stick with "линька" for precision in biology.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "линька" with human hair loss terms like "выпадение волос", leading to incorrect usage in animal contexts. For example, an English speaker might say "линька у человека" (moulting in humans), which is inaccurate as it's not typically used for people.
• Correct: Use "линька" only for animals and specify the type, e.g., "линька у кошек" (moulting in cats). Explanation: Russian distinguishes animal processes from human ones to avoid ambiguity in biological discussions.
• Error: Incorrect declension, such as using the nominative "линька" in all cases, e.g., "о линька" instead of "о линьке". Correct: Always decline properly based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "линька" is often referenced in folklore and literature to symbolize renewal or transformation, such as in stories about animals in Russian fairy tales (e.g., those by Ivan Krylov). It can carry connotations of seasonal change and adaptation, reflecting Russia's vast natural landscapes and wildlife traditions.

Related Concepts:

• птица (bird)
• змея (snake)
• адаптация (adaptation)
• сезонные изменения (seasonal changes)