Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pork'

English Word: pork

Key Russian Translations:

• свинина [sʲvʲɪˈnʲinə] - [Formal, used in general culinary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday conversations about food, shopping, and cooking, but not as ubiquitous as basic food terms like "хлеб" (bread))

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward vocabulary for learners at an introductory level, with no complex grammatical rules initially)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свинина: [sʲvʲɪˈnʲinə]

Note on свинина: The initial "св" is a soft consonant cluster; pay attention to the palatalization (the "ʲ" in IPA), which can be challenging for English speakers. It sounds like "svee-nee-nah" with a soft "v".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Meat from a pig, often referring to the flesh of swine used as food.

Translation(s) & Context:

• свинина - Used in formal and informal contexts for pork as a general food item, such as in recipes, markets, or dietary discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем свинину по выходным. (Ya yem svininu po vykhodnym.)

  I eat pork on weekends. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday dietary habits.)

• В супермаркете есть свежая свинина. (V supermarketye yest' svyazhaya svinina.)

  There is fresh pork in the supermarket. (Demonstrates the noun in a context of shopping, with an emphasis on quality.)

• Свинина в этом блюде придает особый вкус. (Svinina v etom blyude pridyet osobyy vkus.)

  The pork in this dish gives a special flavor. (Illustrates usage in a culinary context, focusing on taste and preparation.)

• Моя семья предпочитает свинину говядине. (Moya sem'ya predpokhchayet svininu govyadine.)

  My family prefers pork to beef. (Shows comparison in a familial or preference-based discussion.)

• В рецепте указано использовать свинину. (V retsepte ukazano ispol'zovat' svininu.)

  The recipe specifies to use pork. (Highlights instructional or recipe contexts, common in cooking.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"свинина" is a feminine noun in the first declension group. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun is regular in its declension, making it straightforward for beginners, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свиной (svinoy) - Means "pork" in a more adjectival form, e.g., for specific cuts, but less common as a standalone noun.
  • мясо свиньи (myaso svini) - Literal phrase meaning "pig meat," used in informal or descriptive contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • говядина (govadina) - Beef; used to contrast with pork in dietary preferences.
  • курица (kuritsa) - Chicken; another common meat alternative.

Related Phrases:

• свиной окорок (svinoy okorok) - Pork ham; a common cut used in sandwiches or roasts.
• жареная свинина (zharenaya svinina) - Fried pork; refers to a popular cooking method in Russian cuisine.
• свинина с овощами (svinina s ovoshchami) - Pork with vegetables; a typical phrase for stir-fries or stews.

Usage Notes:

"свинина" directly corresponds to the English "pork" as a mass noun for pig meat, but in Russian, it's often used in formal contexts like recipes or shopping lists. Be aware of cultural dietary restrictions; for instance, in some regions, pork is less common due to religious influences (e.g., in Muslim-majority areas). When choosing between translations, "свинина" is the most precise and neutral, while phrases like "мясо свиньи" might be used for emphasis. Grammatically, ensure it agrees in case with surrounding words, such as in prepositional phrases.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "свинина" with "свиное" (svinoye), which is an adjective meaning "pork-related." Incorrect: "Я ем свиное" (wrongly treating it as a noun). Correct: "Я ем свинину" (proper noun usage). Explanation: English learners often mix nouns and adjectives; always use "свинина" as the base noun.
• Overusing in formal writing: Incorrectly applying inflections, e.g., saying "свинину" in nominative case instead of "свинина." Correct: Match the case, as in "Это свинина" (This is pork). Explanation: Pay attention to Russian case system to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "свинина" is a staple in traditional dishes like pelmeni or shashlik, reflecting the country's agricultural heritage. However, due to historical influences from Orthodox Christianity and Islam in certain regions, pork consumption can vary, and it's sometimes associated with festive meals rather than everyday fare.

Related Concepts:

• говядина (beef)
• курица (chicken)
• мясо (meat in general)