Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sapling'

English Word: sapling

Key Russian Translations:

• саженец [sɐˈʐenʲɪt͡s] - [Formal, used in contexts like agriculture and forestry]
• росток [rɐˈstok] - [Informal, often for very young shoots or sprouts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, gardening discussions, and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as per CEFR; requires basic knowledge of noun declensions; for "саженец", it's straightforward, but "росток" may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

саженец: [sɐˈʐenʲɪt͡s]

росток: [rɐˈstok]

Note on саженец: The "ж" sound (like the 's' in "measure") can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the second syllable. Slight regional variations may occur in pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A young tree or plant, typically one that has been recently planted or is in early growth.

Translation(s) & Context:

• саженец - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as horticulture, where the focus is on cultivated young trees.
• росток - Applied in more general or poetic contexts, like describing natural growth in literature or biology.

Usage Examples:

• В саду мы посадили несколько саженцев яблони, чтобы обновить старые деревья.

  In the garden, we planted several apple tree saplings to replace the old trees.

• Молодой росток пробился сквозь землю после дождя, символизируя начало весны.

  The young sprout pushed through the soil after the rain, symbolizing the start of spring.

• Саженцы в питомнике требуют регулярного полива, чтобы они правильно развивались.

  The saplings in the nursery need regular watering to grow properly.

• В парке дети наблюдали, как ростки деревьев превращаются в высокие растения за лето.

  In the park, children watched as tree sprouts turned into tall plants over the summer.

• Фермеры покупают саженцы оптом для создания нового фруктового сада.

  Farmers buy saplings in bulk to establish a new fruit orchard.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "саженец" and "росток" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine declension patterns. "Саженец" is a third-declension noun and inflects regularly, while "росток" is also regular but can vary slightly in poetic or archaic uses.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them relatively easy for learners, but always pay attention to the context for correct case usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • побег (pobeg) - Often used for shoots or offshoots, with a slight emphasis on rapid growth.
  • молодое деревце (molodoye derevtsye) - A more descriptive phrase for a young tree, used in everyday language.
• Antonyms:
  • взрослое дерево (vzosloye derevo) - Refers to a fully grown tree, highlighting maturity.
  • стареющее растение (stareyushcheye rasteniye) - Implies an aging plant, contrasting with youth.

Related Phrases:

• Посадить саженец - To plant a sapling (used in gardening contexts to describe the act of establishing new growth).
• Росток надежды - A sprout of hope (a metaphorical phrase often in literature, implying new beginnings).
• Выращивать саженцы - To grow saplings (common in agricultural discussions, emphasizing cultivation processes).

Usage Notes:

"Саженец" directly corresponds to "sapling" in formal English contexts like botany or farming, while "росток" is better for more general or metaphorical uses. Be mindful of the noun's gender (masculine) when constructing sentences, as it affects adjective agreement and case endings. In informal speech, Russians might prefer "росток" for poetic descriptions, but "саженец" is standard in technical writing. When choosing between translations, opt for "саженец" if the context involves human cultivation, and "росток" for natural processes.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive case: Incorrect: "саженец яблони" might be misused as "саженец яблоня" (wrong word order or case). Correct: Use "саженца яблони" to indicate possession. This error stems from English's lack of cases, so always check the context for proper declension.

• Mixing synonyms: Learners may overuse "росток" in formal settings, e.g., saying "Мы купили росток" instead of "Мы купили саженец" for a purchased plant. Explanation: "Росток" implies something wild or spontaneous, while "саженец" denotes cultivated items—choose based on context to avoid sounding imprecise.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "саженец" and "росток" often appear in folklore and literature to symbolize renewal and growth, such as in stories by authors like Tolstoy, where planting saplings represents hope or national revival. This reflects Russia's vast forested landscapes and historical emphasis on agriculture, making these terms more than literal—they carry connotations of resilience and new beginnings in everyday idioms.

Related Concepts:

• дерево (derevo) - Tree
• растение (rasteniye) - Plant
• питомник (pitomnik) - Nursery