Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'potato'

English Word: potato

Key Russian Translations:

• картофель /kɐrˈtofʲɪlʲ/ - [Formal, Standard]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in culinary contexts, but not as frequent as basic words like "water").

Difficulty: A2 (Basic vocabulary for beginners, easily learned with exposure to Russian food-related topics; CEFR level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

картофель: /kɐrˈtofʲɪlʲ/

Note on картофель: The stress is on the second syllable ("tof"), and the final "ь" indicates a soft consonant, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pay attention to the rolled 'r' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The edible tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum (a starchy vegetable commonly used in cooking).

Translation(s) & Context:

• картофель - Used in general, formal, and everyday contexts to refer to potatoes as a food item, especially in recipes or agricultural discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю есть вареный картофель с маслом.

  I love eating boiled potatoes with butter. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday meal contexts.)

• В супермаркете много свежего картофеля.

  There is a lot of fresh potatoes in the supermarket. (Demonstrates the noun in a plural context, common in shopping or market scenarios.)

• Картофель — основной ингредиент в борще.

  Potatoes are the main ingredient in borscht. (Illustrates usage in cultural or culinary descriptions, emphasizing its role in traditional Russian dishes.)

• Мы сажаем картофель в саду каждую весну.

  We plant potatoes in the garden every spring. (Shows the noun in an agricultural or seasonal context, with verb conjugation for variety.)

• Без картофеля русская кухня не была бы полной.

  Without potatoes, Russian cuisine wouldn't be complete. (This example uses the noun in a more expressive, idiomatic sentence to discuss cultural significance.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Картофель" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has some variations. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: бульба (bulba) - More common in Belarusian-influenced dialects or informal speech; картошка (kartoshka) - Informal, diminutive form used in everyday conversation.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as this is a specific food item. However, in a broader sense, other vegetables like огурец (ogurets, cucumber) could contrast in culinary contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Вареный картофель - Boiled potatoes (A simple culinary phrase used in recipes or daily meals).
• Жареный картофель - Fried potatoes (Common in fast-food or home-cooking contexts).
• Картофель фри - French fries (Borrowed from English, used for Western-style fast food).
• Картофельное пюре - Mashed potatoes (A staple side dish in Russian cuisine, often served with meat).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "картофель" directly corresponds to the English "potato" as a general term, but it's more formal. Use "картошка" for informal or affectionate contexts, such as talking about home-grown vegetables. Be mindful of case endings when using it in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to agree with prepositions and verbs. For example, choose "картофель" over synonyms based on the setting: formal writing vs. casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "картошка" in formal contexts, e.g., "Я ем картошка" instead of "Я ем картофель" in a scientific article.

  Correct: "Я ем картофель." Explanation: "Картошка" is diminutive and informal; stick to "картофель" for neutral or formal language to avoid sounding too casual.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., "Купить картофель" (correct accusative) vs. mistakenly saying "Купить картофеля" in the wrong context.

  Correct: Adjust based on sentence structure, e.g., "У меня есть картофель" (nominative). Explanation: Russian cases are essential; learners often forget to change endings, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, potatoes are a staple food introduced in the 18th century by Peter the Great. They symbolize resilience and abundance, often featured in traditional dishes like borscht or olivier salad. During historical famines, potatoes helped sustain the population, giving the word "картофель" a connotation of everyday necessity and cultural heritage.

Related Concepts:

• огурец (cucumber)
• морковь (carrot)
• свекла (beet)