mutton
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mutton'
English Word: mutton
Key Russian Translations:
- баранина [bɐˈranʲɪnə] - [Formal, used in general contexts for food and cuisine]
Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about food, but not as frequent as basic staples like bread)
Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; suitable for learners with basic vocabulary in food-related topics, as it involves feminine noun declensions)
Pronunciation (Russian):
баранина: [bɐˈranʲɪnə]
Note on баранина: The stress is on the third syllable ("ra"), and the 'н' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.
Audio: Play audio pronunciation [Placeholder for audio file link or player]
Meanings and Usage:
Meaning: The meat from a mature sheep, often used in cooking and cuisine.
Translation(s) & Context:
- баранина - Used in formal and informal contexts related to food, shopping, or recipes; common in Russian and Central Asian cuisine.
Usage Examples:
-
Я ем баранину с овощами на ужин.
I eat mutton with vegetables for dinner. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing everyday meal contexts.)
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В ресторане подают свежую баранину с гарниром.
The restaurant serves fresh mutton with a side dish. (Illustrates use in a dining or formal setting, highlighting culinary applications.)
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Баранина в этом рецепте должна быть хорошо приправлена.
The mutton in this recipe should be well-seasoned. (Demonstrates the word in instructional contexts, such as cooking instructions.)
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Моя бабушка готовит баранину по традиционному рецепту.
My grandmother cooks mutton according to a traditional recipe. (Shows cultural or familial usage, incorporating possessive structures.)
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В магазине я купил килограмм баранины для шашлыка.
At the store, I bought a kilogram of mutton for barbecue. (Exemplifies the word in shopping or outdoor cooking scenarios, with quantity specifications.)
Russian Forms/Inflections:
баранина is a feminine noun (first declension) in Russian, which means it undergoes regular inflection for case and number. It does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.
Case | Singular | Plural |
---|---|---|
Nominative | баранина | баранины |
Genitive | баранины | баранин |
Dative | баранине | баранинам |
Accusative | баранину | баранины |
Instrumental | бараниной | баранинами |
Prepositional | баранине | баранинах |
Note: Always adjust for gender agreement in adjectives and verbs when using this noun.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms: None directly, but related terms include "мясо барана" (more descriptive, used interchangeably in informal speech; implies the same meaning but with added specificity).
- Antonyms: говядина (beef; used in contexts contrasting types of meat, such as in dietary preferences).
Related Phrases:
- жареная баранина - Fried mutton (a common dish in Russian cuisine, often served with potatoes or vegetables).
- баранина на гриле - Mutton on the grill (refers to barbecued or grilled preparations, popular in summer outings).
- тушеная баранина - Stewed mutton (used for slow-cooked meals, highlighting traditional cooking methods).
Usage Notes:
баранина directly corresponds to "mutton" in English, referring specifically to meat from adult sheep, as opposed to lamb (which is " lamb " or "молодой баранин" in Russian). It is neutral in tone but more formal in written contexts like recipes. When choosing between translations, use баранина for general food discussions; avoid it in vegetarian contexts. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires case agreement.
- In informal speech, Russians might say "барашка" colloquially, but stick to баранина for accuracy.
- It's commonly paired with verbs like "готовить" (to cook) or "покупать" (to buy).
Common Errors:
English learners often confuse баранина with " lamb " (which is "пору" or "молодой баранин"), leading to incorrect usage in age-specific contexts. For example:
- Incorrect: "Я ем баранину для ребенка." (Implies adult sheep meat for a child, which is not ideal.)
- Correct: "Я ем lamb для ребенка." or more accurately in Russian: "Я ем молодую баранину для ребенка." (Explanation: Use "молодую баранину" for lamb to specify younger meat, avoiding cultural or health misunderstandings.)
- Another error is forgetting declension: Incorrectly saying "Я ем с баранина" instead of "Я ем с бараниной" (genitive case required after prepositions like "с").
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, баранина is a staple in regions influenced by Central Asian traditions, such as in dishes like plov or shashlik. It symbolizes hearty, communal meals and is often associated with festivals or family gatherings, reflecting the historical nomadic heritage of some Russian ethnic groups.
Related Concepts:
- говядина (beef)
- свинина (pork)
- курица (chicken)