Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seasoning'

English Word: seasoning

Key Russian Translations:

• приправа [prʲɪˈpravə] - [Formal, Singular, Used in culinary contexts]
• специи [ˈspʲet͡sʲɪɪ] - [Informal, Plural, Used when referring to spices specifically]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday cooking discussions but not as frequent as basic food terms)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to food and daily life)

Pronunciation (Russian):

приправа: [prʲɪˈpravə]

специи: [ˈspʲet͡sʲɪɪ]

Note on приправа: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled, which can be tricky for beginners. A soft 'п' sound is common in some regional variants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A substance used to flavor food

Translation(s) & Context:

• приправа - Used in formal or general contexts for any seasoning, such as herbs or spices in cooking.
• специи - Informal, often for dry spices; preferred in recipes or when discussing international cuisine.

Usage Examples:

• Я добавляю приправу в суп, чтобы сделать его вкуснее.

  I add seasoning to the soup to make it tastier.

• Без специй блюдо кажется пресным.

  Without spices, the dish seems bland.

• В этой приправе есть соль, перец и травы.

  This seasoning includes salt, pepper, and herbs.

• Она предпочитает натуральные специи вместо искусственных.

  She prefers natural spices over artificial ones.

• Приправа из свежих трав улучшает аромат еды.

  Seasoning from fresh herbs improves the aroma of food.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, e.g., adding interest or variety

Translation(s) & Context:

• приправа - Metaphorical in literature or speech, meaning to enhance or embellish.

Usage Examples:

• Его истории всегда с приправой юмора.

  His stories always come with a seasoning of humor.

• Приправа приключений делает жизнь интересной.

  A seasoning of adventures makes life interesting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "приправа" and "специи" are nouns. "Приправа" is a feminine noun (feminine singular) and follows the standard first declension pattern in Russian. "Специи" is a plural noun and typically remains invariable in some forms.

Note: "Специи" is often used in plural form and does not have a singular counterpart in common usage, making it invariable in that sense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ароматизатор (aromatizator) - More specific to flavor enhancers; used in industrial contexts.
  • пряности (pryannosti) - Emphasizes spicy elements; common in Eastern European cuisine discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • основа (osnova) - Basic ingredient, lacking flavor enhancement.

Related Phrases:

• Добавить приправу - Add seasoning; used in cooking instructions to enhance flavor.
• Смесь специй - Spice mix; refers to a blend of seasonings for recipes.
• Натуральная приправа - Natural seasoning; often highlighted in health-conscious contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Приправа" directly corresponds to "seasoning" in English, encompassing both wet and dry flavorings, while "специи" is better for dry spices. In formal writing or recipes, prefer "приправа" for precision. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often imply a culinary setting, and they can be inflected based on case (e.g., genitive for possession). When choosing between translations, use "специи" for plural or informal spice references.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "приправа" in plural without proper inflection, e.g., saying "приправы" incorrectly as "приправас".
  Correct: "Приправы" (genitive plural); Explanation: Russian nouns change endings based on case, so learners must memorize declensions to avoid sounding unnatural.
• Mistake: Confusing "специи" with "специя" (which is not standard); learners might invent a singular form.
  Correct: Stick to "специи" as it's inherently plural; Explanation: Forcing a singular can lead to errors, as Russian doesn't always mirror English word forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, seasonings like "приправа" play a significant role in traditional cuisine, such as in borscht or pelmeni, where herbs and spices reflect regional influences from Slavic and Asian neighbors. This highlights the importance of fresh, home-made seasonings in everyday meals, contrasting with Western reliance on pre-packaged options.

Related Concepts:

• Травы (herbs)
• Соль (salt)
• Перец (pepper)