Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plankton'

English Word: plankton

Key Russian Translations:

• планктон [ˈplanktən] - [Neutral; Scientific term]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, educational, and environmental contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic scientific vocabulary, as it is a loanword from English/Greek)

Pronunciation (Russian):

планктон: [ˈplanktən]

Note on планктон: The stress is on the first syllable. Pronunciation may vary slightly by region, with a softer 'л' sound in some dialects, but standard Russian uses a clear [l]. Be cautious of the vowel reductions common in Russian unstressed syllables.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The microscopic organisms drifting in bodies of water, forming the base of the aquatic food chain.

Translation(s) & Context:

• планктон - Used in scientific, educational, or environmental discussions to refer to the collective of tiny plants and animals in water bodies; neutral and formal context.

Usage Examples:

• В океанах планктон играет ключевую роль в пищевой цепочке.

  In the oceans, plankton plays a key role in the food chain.

• Ученые изучают, как изменения климата влияют на планктон в реках.

  Scientists are studying how climate change affects plankton in rivers.

• Планктон — это основа жизни в морских экосистемах, включая мелкие организмы вроде зоопланктона.

  Plankton is the foundation of life in marine ecosystems, including small organisms like zooplankton.

• Во время экспедиции мы собрали образцы планктона для анализа.

  During the expedition, we collected plankton samples for analysis.

• Планктон может быть фитопланктоном или зоопланктоном, в зависимости от типа организмов.

  Plankton can be phytoplankton or zooplankton, depending on the type of organisms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Планктон" is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian, borrowed from English/Greek. It follows standard patterns for inanimate nouns but has no irregularities. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to different types or samples of plankton.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фитопланктон (phytoplankton; specifically plant-based plankton)
  • зоопланктон (zooplankton; specifically animal-based plankton)
  Note: "Фитопланктон" and "зоопланктон" are more specific subsets and are used in detailed scientific contexts to differentiate types.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "планктон" is a specific biological term without a clear opposite.

Related Phrases:

• Морской планктон (Marine plankton) - Refers to plankton found in oceans, essential for understanding oceanic ecosystems.
• Планктонный слой (Plankton layer) - Describes the vertical zone in water where plankton concentrates, often in marine biology discussions.
• Изучение планктона (Study of plankton) - A phrase used in educational or research contexts to denote the scientific examination of plankton.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "планктон" directly corresponds to the English "plankton" as a neutral, scientific term. It is typically used in formal or academic settings, such as biology, ecology, or environmental science. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound overly technical. When choosing between synonyms like "фитопланктон" or "зоопланктон", select based on specificity: use "планктон" for general references and the others for precise categorizations. Grammatically, it behaves as a standard masculine noun, so pay attention to case endings in sentences, e.g., "изучать планктон" (to study plankton).

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the word: Learners often stress the wrong syllable, saying [plankˈton] instead of [ˈplanktən]. Correct usage: Always stress the first syllable to align with standard Russian phonetics.
• Confusing with related terms: English speakers might mistakenly use "планктон" interchangeably with "рыба" (fish), but this is incorrect as plankton are microorganisms. Error example: "Рыба ест планктон" (Fish eats plankton) is fine, but saying "Планктон — это рыба" (Plankton is fish) is wrong; correct: "Планктон — это микроорганизмы" (Plankton is microorganisms).
• Overusing in non-scientific contexts: Beginners might force it into everyday speech, e.g., incorrectly saying "В пруду много планктона" in a casual chat, which sounds awkward; better to reserve for appropriate settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, "планктон" is often discussed in the context of environmental conservation and marine biology, reflecting Russia's vast Arctic and oceanic territories. It symbolizes the fragility of ecosystems, as highlighted in educational programs and literature on climate change, such as in works by Russian ecologists who emphasize the role of plankton in global food chains.

Related Concepts:

• фитопланктон
• зоопланктон
• экосистема
• биоразнообразие