Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'rhubarb'

English Word: rhubarb

Key Russian Translations:

• ревень [rʲɪˈvʲenʲ] - [Formal, Singular, Refers to the plant]

Frequency: Medium (Common in culinary contexts but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level, as it involves basic vocabulary related to food and nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ревень: [rʲɪˈvʲenʲ]

Note on ревень: The initial 'р' is a rolled 'r' sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. Be careful with the palatalized 'вʲ' which is softer than in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A plant with large leaves and edible stems, often used in cooking.

Translation(s) & Context:

• ревень - Used in formal and informal contexts related to food, gardening, or recipes; common in Russian cuisine for pies and jams.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю есть пирог с ревенем летом.

  I love eating rhubarb pie in the summer.

• Ревень растет в нашем саду и используется для варенья.

  Rhubarb grows in our garden and is used for making jam.

• В рецепте супа требуется добавить свежий ревень.

  The soup recipe requires adding fresh rhubarb.

• Моя бабушка готовит компот из ревеня и яблок.

  My grandmother makes compote from rhubarb and apples.

• Ревень можно купить на рынке, но он не всегда свежий.

  You can buy rhubarb at the market, but it's not always fresh.

Meaning: Informal slang for a heated argument or commotion (less common in standard English usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ссора or Разборка - Used in informal contexts to describe disputes; however, 'ревень' is not a direct equivalent and is rarely used this way in Russian.

Usage Examples:

• В фильме была большая ссора, похожая на ревень в бейсболе.

  In the movie, there was a big argument, similar to a rhubarb in baseball.

• Разборка на улице привлекла внимание полиции.

  The commotion on the street drew the police's attention, like a rhubarb.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Ревень' is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no plural form in common usage as it refers to the plant in general. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This noun does not change in plural forms as it is typically used in singular. For related words like adjectives, they would inflect accordingly (e.g., свежий ревень - fresh rhubarb).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: кизил (for similar tart fruits), щавель (sorrel, another edible plant)
• кизил might be used in contexts where a tart flavor is implied, but it's less common than ревень for this specific plant.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific noun; however, in culinary terms, something sweet like мед (honey) could contrast its tartness.

Related Phrases:

• Пирог с ревенем - Rhubarb pie; a common dessert in Russian households.
• Варенье из ревеня - Rhubarb jam; used for preserves and spreads.
• Свежий ревень в салате - Fresh rhubarb in salad; refers to using it in savory dishes.

Usage Notes:

'Ревень' directly corresponds to the English 'rhubarb' as a plant, but in Russian, it's primarily associated with culinary uses. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in everyday conversation. When selecting translations, choose 'ревень' for literal plant references; for slang meanings like arguments, opt for 'ссора' instead. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) when using in sentences, and note that it doesn't have a common plural form.

• Always pair it with appropriate prepositions, e.g., 'с ревенем' for 'with rhubarb'.
• In recipes, it's often in the accusative case.

Common Errors:

English learners often mispronounce 'ревень' by not rolling the 'р' sound, saying it as [rɪˈven] instead of [rʲɪˈvʲenʲ]. Correct usage: Practice the palatalized consonants. Error example: Saying 'ревен' without stress on the second syllable, which might make it sound like a different word. Correct: Ensure proper stress and articulation to avoid confusion with similar words like 'реветь' (to roar).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, rhubarb is a staple in traditional desserts and preserves, especially in rural areas. It symbolizes simplicity and home-cooked meals, often featured in Soviet-era recipes. Historically, it was introduced from Asia and became popular in the 19th century, reflecting Russia's agricultural heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Щавель (sorrel)
• Крыжовник (gooseberry)
• Яблоко (apple, often paired with rhubarb in recipes)