Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seaweed'

English Word: seaweed

Key Russian Translations:

• водоросли [vədɐˈroslʲi] - [Plural, Informal/Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in contexts related to marine biology, cuisine, or environmental discussions, but not everyday vocabulary for general speakers.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Elementary; straightforward as a noun, but requires understanding of Russian noun declensions for accurate usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

водоросли: [vədɐˈroslʲi]

Note on водоросли: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ros-"), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers. Pronounce the "лʲ" softly as a palatalized L, similar to the "ll" in "million".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Marine plants or algae, often referring to various types of seaweed found in oceans or seas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• водоросли - Used in general, everyday contexts for seaweed in marine environments, applicable in both formal (e.g., scientific writing) and informal (e.g., casual conversation) settings.

Usage Examples:

• В океане растут разнообразные водоросли, которые служат пищей для морских животных.

  In the ocean, various types of seaweed grow, which serve as food for marine animals.

• Во время прилива берег покрывается водорослями, создавая уникальный запах.

  During high tide, the shore is covered with seaweed, creating a unique smell.

• Водоросли часто используются в японской кухне, но в России их добавляют в салаты или супы.

  Seaweed is often used in Japanese cuisine, but in Russia, it's added to salads or soups.

• Загрязнение океана приводит к быстрому росту водорослей, что влияет на экосистему.

  Ocean pollution leads to rapid growth of seaweed, which affects the ecosystem.

• Дети собирают водоросли на пляже, чтобы поиграть или изучить их структуру.

  Children collect seaweed on the beach to play with or study its structure.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Водоросли" is a plural noun in Russian, belonging to the feminine gender and following the standard declension patterns for nouns ending in -и. It is an inanimate noun and does not change in the nominative plural form but varies by case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word is invariantly plural and does not have a singular form in standard Russian usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • морские водоросли (more specific, implying oceanic varieties; used in scientific or descriptive contexts)
  • алги (a borrowed term, more technical for algae in general)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "водоросли" refers to a specific type of plant life. However, in ecological contexts, it might contrast with "суши" (land-based plants).

Related Phrases:

• морские водоросли - Marine seaweed; used in contexts discussing ocean flora or cuisine.
• водорослевые заросли - Seaweed thickets; refers to dense areas of seaweed in water bodies.
• использовать водоросли в еде - To use seaweed in food; a common phrase in culinary discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Водоросли" directly corresponds to "seaweed" in English but is always used in the plural form, so avoid attempting to use it as a singular noun. It can be employed in both formal and informal settings, such as scientific reports or everyday conversations about nature. When choosing between translations like "водоросли" and "алги", opt for "водоросли" in general contexts and "алги" for more technical or biological discussions. Pay attention to case endings to ensure grammatical accuracy in sentences.

• In environmental topics, it's often paired with verbs like "расти" (to grow) or "загрязнять" (to pollute).
• Cultural nuance: In Russian, seaweed might evoke thoughts of Baltic Sea ecology rather than cuisine, unlike in East Asian contexts.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is treating "водоросли" as a singular noun and using it without proper declension. For example:

• Incorrect: *Водоросль растет в океане* (This implies a singular form, which doesn't exist; it should be plural.)
• Correct: Водоросли растут в океане (Using the plural nominative form.)
• Explanation: Russian nouns like this require correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions. Another error is confusing it with "трава" (grass), leading to misuse in marine contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "водоросли" is often associated with the vast marine environments of the Black Sea or Pacific coast, symbolizing both natural beauty and environmental concerns like pollution. Unlike in Japanese culture where seaweed is a staple food, in Russia it's more commonly linked to scientific or ecological discussions, reflecting the country's focus on vast natural resources.

Related Concepts:

• алги (algae)
• морская флора (marine flora)
• экосистема (ecosystem)