Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pinniped'

English Word: pinniped

Key Russian Translations:

• ластоногие [lɐstɐˈnoɡʲɪje] - [Formal, Scientific, Plural]

Frequency: Low (This term is primarily used in scientific, biological, or educational contexts and is not common in everyday Russian conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with biological terminology and basic Russian grammar, as it involves adjective-noun agreements.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ластоногие: [lɐstɐˈnoɡʲɪje]

Note on ластоногие: The stress falls on the third syllable ("noɡʲɪje"). Be mindful of the palatalized "ɡʲ" sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur based on regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The group of flipper-footed marine mammals, including seals, sea lions, and walruses.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ластоногие - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts to refer to the order of marine mammals; often in discussions of marine biology or ecology.

Usage Examples:

• Русские ученые изучают ластоногих в Арктике, чтобы понять их миграционные пути.

  Russian scientists study pinnipeds in the Arctic to understand their migration patterns.

• В зоопарке есть экспозиция, посвященная ластоногим животным, таким как тюлени и морские львы.

  In the zoo, there is an exhibit dedicated to pinniped animals, such as seals and sea lions.

• Ластоногие играют важную роль в экосистеме океана, но они подвержены угрозам от климатических изменений.

  Pinnipeds play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem, but they are threatened by climate change.

• Во время экскурсии мы наблюдали, как ластоногие отдыхают на скалах у берега.

  During the excursion, we observed pinnipeds resting on rocks by the shore.

• Исследования ластоногих помогают в сохранении биоразнообразия мировых океанов.

  Studies of pinnipeds help in preserving the biodiversity of the world's oceans.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ластоногие" is the plural form of the adjective "ластоногий" (pinniped), often used as a noun in scientific contexts to refer to the group. As an adjective, it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which are regular for most cases. However, when used substantively (as a noun), it primarily appears in plural forms.

Note: In practice, "ластоногие" is almost always used in plural form and does not change significantly in most contexts. It is invariant in gender but agrees in case with accompanying nouns if part of a phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: морские млекопитающие (general term for marine mammals), тюлени и морские львы (specific examples) - "Морские млекопитающие" is broader and often used interchangeably in non-technical contexts.
• Antonyms: сухопутные животные (terrestrial animals) - Refers to land-based creatures, contrasting with aquatic ones.

Related Phrases:

• Морские ластоногие - Marine pinnipeds; Used in ecological discussions to specify ocean-dwelling species.
• Ластоногие млекопитающие - Pinniped mammals; A common phrase in scientific literature for classification.
• Исследование ластоногих - Study of pinnipeds; Often appears in research contexts.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English scientific term "pinniped," which refers to the order Pinnipedia. In Russian, "ластоногие" is formal and best used in academic, environmental, or educational settings. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound overly technical. When discussing specific animals, pair it with nouns like "тюлени" for seals. Note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, so ensure proper inflection in sentences.

• Choose "ластоногие" over more general terms when precision is needed in biological contexts.
• In spoken Russian, speakers might opt for simpler phrases like "морские животные с ластами" for everyday explanations.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake "ластоногие" for a singular noun and fail to inflect it correctly. For example:

• Error: Using "ластоногий" as a standalone noun (e.g., "Я видел ластоногий" instead of "Я видел ластоногого").
• Correct: "Я видел ластоногого тюленя" (I saw a pinniped seal). Explanation: "Ластоногий" is an adjective and needs to agree with the noun; use plural forms for groups.
• Error: Incorrect stress or pronunciation, such as stressing the wrong syllable, leading to miscommunication.
• Correct: Practice the IPA [lɐstɐˈnoɡʲɪje] to ensure the palatalized sound is clear.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pinnipeds like seals and walruses hold symbolic importance in folklore and literature, often representing the harsh beauty of the Arctic regions. For instance, in Russian fairy tales and indigenous stories from Siberia, these animals are depicted as clever or mystical creatures, reflecting Russia's vast northern territories and its historical reliance on marine resources.

Related Concepts:

• тюлени (seals)
• морские львы (sea lions)
• морские млекопитающие (marine mammals)
• биоразнообразие (biodiversity)