pedigree
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pedigree'
English Word: pedigree
Key Russian Translations:
- родословная [rədɐˈslovnəjə] - [Formal, used in contexts involving family history or breeding]
Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing, genealogy, and animal breeding contexts, but not everyday conversation)
Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and formal vocabulary, suitable for upper-intermediate learners)
Pronunciation (Russian):
родословная: [rədɐˈslovnəjə]
Note on родословная: The stress falls on the third syllable ("slo"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian vowel reductions in unstressed positions. Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.
Audio: []
Meanings and Usage:
Meaning 1: A line of ancestors of a person, animal, or plant (e.g., family lineage or breeding history)
Translation(s) & Context:
- родословная - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as genealogy records or pedigree charts for animals.
Usage Examples:
-
Его родословная восходит к средневековым рыцарям.
His pedigree traces back to medieval knights.
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В конюшне тщательно проверяют родословную каждой лошади.
In the stable, they carefully check the pedigree of each horse.
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Семейная родословная помогает понять генетические черты.
The family pedigree helps understand genetic traits.
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Без полной родословной собаку не допустят к выставке.
Without a complete pedigree, the dog won't be allowed in the show.
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Исследуя родословную, она обнаружила скрытые связи с аристократией.
While researching her pedigree, she discovered hidden ties to aristocracy.
Meaning 2: The record or chart documenting such ancestors (e.g., a family tree document)
Translation(s) & Context:
- родословная - Often refers to a written or visual document in formal, academic, or legal settings.
Usage Examples:
-
Эта родословная включает детальные записи о предках.
This pedigree includes detailed records of ancestors.
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В музее хранится родословная знаменитой династии.
The museum holds the pedigree of a famous dynasty.
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Для регистрации породы требуется официальная родословная.
An official pedigree is required for breed registration.
Russian Forms/Inflections:
Родословная is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows the first declension pattern with regular inflections based on case and number. It does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.
Case | Singular | Plural |
---|---|---|
Nominative | родословная | родословные |
Genitive | родословной | родословных |
Dative | родословной | родословным |
Accusative | родословную | родословные |
Instrumental | родословной | родословными |
Prepositional | родословной | родословных |
Note: Always adjust for gender agreement in sentences, as it is feminine.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms: происхождение (proiskhozhdenie) - More general, referring to origin; генеалогия (genealogiya) - Specifically for the study of family history.
- Антонимы: (Antonyms) вырождение (vyrozhdenie) - Implies degeneration or decline in lineage.
Related Phrases:
- Семейная родословная - Family pedigree; a common phrase for documenting ancestral lines.
- Проверять родословную - To verify pedigree; used in contexts like animal breeding or historical research.
- Древняя родословная - Ancient pedigree; implies a long historical lineage with cultural prestige.
Usage Notes:
Родословная directly corresponds to the English "pedigree" in formal contexts, such as genealogy or breeding, but it is less common in casual conversation. Use it with appropriate case endings to match the sentence structure, as Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender. For example, when discussing multiple pedigrees, switch to the plural form. If the context involves human ancestry, it may carry a more formal or aristocratic connotation, so choose it over simpler terms like происхождение for precision.
Common Errors:
- Error: Using the nominative form in all cases, e.g., saying "Я интересуюсь родословная" instead of "Я интересуюсь родословной" (dative case). Correct: Always decline the noun based on its role in the sentence to avoid grammatical errors. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, unlike English, so learners often forget this.
- Error: Confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using происхождение when a specific pedigree chart is meant. Correct: Stick to родословная for documented lineages. Explanation: Происхождение is broader and doesn't imply a structured record, leading to potential miscommunication.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, родословная often evokes themes of nobility and historical pride, especially in literature and folklore. For instance, it appears in works like those of Tolstoy, where family pedigrees signify social status. This reflects Russia's aristocratic past, where tracing lineage was a marker of identity, unlike in more egalitarian societies.
Related Concepts:
- Генеалогия (genealogiya)
- Происхождение (proiskhozhdenie)
- Династия (dinastiya)