Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'quina'

English Word: quina

Key Russian Translations:

• квина [ˈkvi.nə] - [Informal, Used in modern slang or borrowed contexts]
• квиния [ˈkvi.nʲi.jə] - [Formal, Plural form or variant in specific dialects]

Frequency: Low (Rarely used in everyday Russian; more common in specialized or borrowed terminology)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper-Intermediate; requires familiarity with loanwords and noun inflections, varying by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

квина: [ˈkvi.nə]

Note on квина: The stress falls on the first syllable; be cautious with the 'в' sound, which is a voiced labiodental fricative, similar to 'v' in English "victory". This word is a loanword, so pronunciation may vary slightly in different regions.

квиния: [ˈkvi.nʲi.jə]

Note on квиния: The 'й' sound is a palatal approximant, adding a soft quality; common in feminine nouns. Avoid overemphasizing the final vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A rare or archaic term referring to a type of plant or extract (e.g., from quinine, as in historical contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• квина - Used in botanical or medical discussions, often in formal writing or scientific texts.
• квиния - Applied in plural forms for varieties or collections, such as in historical pharmacology.

Usage Examples:

• В старых аптеках часто хранили квина для лечения лихорадки.

  In old pharmacies, quina was often stored for treating fever.

• Квиния из Южной Америки использовалась в народной медицине.

  Quina from South America was used in folk medicine.

• Мой дедушка рассказывал истории о квина, которая спасала моряков от болезней.

  My grandfather used to tell stories about quina that saved sailors from illnesses.

• В современном контексте квиния встречается в рецептах натуральной косметики.

  In modern contexts, quina is found in recipes for natural cosmetics.

• Исследователи изучают квина как потенциальный источник новых лекарств.

  Researchers are studying quina as a potential source of new medicines.

Secondary meaning: A metaphorical or slang term for something rare or elusive (e.g., in literature)

Translation(s) & Context:

• квина - Informal usage in creative writing, implying rarity or mystery.
• квиния - Less common, used in poetic contexts for plural abstract concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Квина судьбы иногда приводит к неожиданным открытиям.

  The quina of fate sometimes leads to unexpected discoveries.

• В его глазах мелькнула квиния, как редкий драгоценный камень.

  In his eyes, there was a quina, like a rare precious stone.

• Квиния исторических тайн манит археологов со всего мира.

  The quina of historical mysteries attracts archaeologists from around the world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "квина" and "квиния" are feminine nouns in Russian, following the first declension pattern. They exhibit regular inflections based on case, number, and gender. "Квина" is typically singular, while "квиния" can be plural.

Note: These forms are regular, but as loanwords, they may not always follow strict rules in informal usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: хина (hina) - Similar in botanical contexts; кинин (kinin) - Chemical variant, with a more scientific connotation.
• Antonyms: обычный (obychnyy) - Meaning "common" or "ordinary," highlighting the rarity of quina.

Related Phrases:

• Квина в медицине - Quina in medicine; refers to its historical use in treatments.
• Редкая квиния - Rare quina; used metaphorically for elusive treasures.
• Экстракт квины - Extract of quina; common in pharmaceutical discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Quina" in English often refers to quinine or related extracts, and its Russian translations like "квина" are direct borrowings. Use "квина" in formal or scientific contexts to maintain precision, but avoid it in everyday conversation as it may sound archaic. For plural forms, opt for "квиния" when discussing varieties. Grammatically, always treat it as a feminine noun, and pay attention to case endings for correct sentence structure. When choosing between translations, "квина" is preferable for singular instances, while "квиния" suits collections or abstracts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "квина" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел квина" instead of "Я видел квину" (Accusative). Correct: "Я видел квину" – This mistakes the genitive for accusative, which alters the meaning.

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "квина" and "хина," leading to misuse in medical texts. Correct: Use "квина" specifically for quinine-related terms, as "хина" might imply a different substance. Explanation: English learners often overlook Russian's precise declensions, so always check the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "квина" evokes historical ties to colonial exploration and medicine, as quinine was crucial in treating malaria during Russia's imperial era. It symbolizes resilience and discovery, often referenced in literature about expeditions, reflecting Russia's fascination with global botanicals.

Related Concepts:

• хина (hina)
• кинин (kinin)
• лечебные травы (lechebnye travy)