Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pea'

English Word: pea

Key Russian Translations:

• горох [ɡɐˈrox] - [Informal, Singular, Used in everyday contexts like food and agriculture]
• горошина [ɡərəˈʂɨnə] - [Formal or Technical, Singular, Used when referring to a single pea pod or in botanical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about food, cooking, and agriculture, but not as ubiquitous as basic daily words like "water" or "bread")

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it involves simple vocabulary with straightforward pronunciation and basic noun declensions; for "горох", it's A1, while "горошина" might be A2 due to slight inflection variations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

горох: [ɡɐˈrox]

горошина: [ɡərəˈʂɨnə]

Note on горох: The stress falls on the last syllable, which is common in Russian nouns. Be careful with the "г" sound, which is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the "g" in "go" but softer. Variations may occur in dialects.

Note on горошина: This word has a softer "ш" sound, like "sh" in "she", and the ending changes based on gender and case. Regional accents might alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small, round green seed eaten as a vegetable (Primary and most common usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• горох - Used in casual conversations about food, recipes, or gardening; informal and everyday contexts.
• горошина - Used in more precise or formal settings, like scientific descriptions or when emphasizing a single pea.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем горох в салате. (Ya yem gorokh v salate.)

  I eat peas in the salad. (This example shows "горох" in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting its use as a countable noun in food contexts.)

• Горох растёт в нашем саду. (Gorokh rastot v nashem sadu.)

  Peas grow in our garden. (Demonstrates "горох" in a present tense verb construction, common in agricultural or descriptive scenarios.)

• Эта горошина очень сладкая. (Eta gorošina očenʹ sladkaya.)

  This pea is very sweet. (Illustrates "горошина" for a singular item, useful in tasting or quality descriptions.)

• Мы варим суп из гороха. (My varim sup iz gorokha.)

  We cook soup from peas. (Shows "гороха" in genitive case, indicating possession or material, in a culinary context.)

• Горох используется в вегетарианских блюдах. (Gorokh ispolzuetsya v vegetarianskikh blyudakh.)

  Peas are used in vegetarian dishes. (This example uses "горох" in a general, impersonal construction, emphasizing its role in broader topics like diet.)

Meaning 2: Informal or metaphorical use, e.g., referring to something small and round (Less common, but possible in creative language)

Translation(s) & Context:

• горошка (diminutive form of горох) - Used in poetic or affectionate contexts, like describing something tiny.

Usage Examples:

• Её глаза как горошки. (Yeyo glaza kak goroški.)

  Her eyes are like peas. (Metaphorical use of "горошки" to describe small, round objects, in a poetic or descriptive sentence.)

• Это горошка в кармане. (Eto goroška v karmanye.)

  This is a pea in the pocket. (Informal idiom-like usage, showing diminutive form for endearment or emphasis on size.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Горох" is a masculine noun in the second declension, which means it follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It is invariable in plural forms when used collectively but can inflect based on case. "Горошина" is a feminine noun and inflects more regularly.

Note: "Горох" is often used in its singular form to refer to peas collectively, making it less inflected in everyday speech. For verbs, if used in phrases, standard conjugation applies (e.g., есть горох - to eat peas).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • горошка (diminutive, for affectionate or small-scale references; implies a cuter or smaller version)
  • зеленый горошек (literally "green peas", used in specific contexts like canned goods)
• Antonyms:
  • негорох (not a standard word, but conceptually opposite to a vegetable; more like "non-pea" in rare cases)
  • мякоть (flesh or pulp, as in fruits, contrasting with the seed-like nature of peas)

Related Phrases:

• Гороховый суп (Gorokhovyy sup) - Pea soup; a common Russian dish, often served in winter for its hearty warmth.
• Свежий горох (Svezhiy gorokh) - Fresh peas; refers to seasonal produce, emphasizing quality in markets or recipes.
• Горошек в банке (Gorošek v banke) - Canned peas; used in everyday shopping or cooking contexts for preserved food.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "горох" directly corresponds to the English "pea" in most contexts, but it's often used in singular form even for multiple items, similar to how English uses "rice." Choose "горошина" for formal or singular emphasis. Be mindful of case endings in sentences; for example, in genitive constructions like "суп из гороха" (soup from peas). This word is neutral in terms of register but fits best in informal daily talk. When deciding between translations, use "горох" for general references and "горошина" in scientific or detailed descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "горох" in plural without context, e.g., saying "горохи" when referring to a collective amount, which sounds awkward. Correct: Stick to singular "горох" for groups, as in "Я ем горох" instead of "Я ем горохи."

  Explanation: Russian treats some nouns as mass nouns, so over-pluralizing can confuse native speakers.

• Mistake: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., saying [ˈɡorox] instead of [ɡɐˈrox]. Correct: Always stress the last syllable to avoid sounding unnatural.

  Explanation: Stress errors are common for English learners due to differences in English and Russian stress patterns.

• Mistake: Confusing with similar words like "горшок" (pot), leading to mix-ups in vocabulary. Correct: Use "горох" only for the vegetable and double-check spelling.

  Explanation: Visual similarities in Cyrillic can cause errors, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "горох" is a staple in traditional cuisine, often featured in soups and salads, symbolizing simplicity and rural life. It appears in folklore and proverbs, like those referencing humble, everyday foods, reflecting Russia's agricultural heritage. For instance, pea-based dishes are common in festivals, evoking a sense of warmth and community.

Related Concepts:

• Фасоль (Fasol) - Beans (another legume, often paired with peas in meals)
• Овощи (Ovoshi) - Vegetables (broader category including peas)
• Садоводство (Sadovodstvo) - Gardening (contextual theme for growing peas)