Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seedling'

English Word: seedling

Key Russian Translations:

• сеянец [sʲɪˈjænʲɛts] - [Formal, used in botanical or agricultural contexts]
• рассада [rɐˈsadə] - [Informal, often for seedlings in gardening or home settings]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specialized contexts like horticulture or biology.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions. For 'сеянец', it's straightforward; for 'рассада', slight variations in usage may add nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сеянец: [sʲɪˈjænʲɛts]

рассада: [rɐˈsadə]

Note on сеянец: The stress falls on the second syllable ('jænʲ'), which is a common feature in Russian masculine nouns. Pay attention to the palatalized 'nʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on рассада: The final 'a' is pronounced as a schwa [ə], typical in unstressed positions. This word may have slight regional variations in speed.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A young plant grown from a seed

Translation(s) & Context:

• сеянец - Typically used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing plants in agriculture or botany.
• рассада - More common in everyday informal settings, like home gardening or market discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Я посадил сеянец яблони в своём саду, и он уже начал расти.

  I planted the apple seedling in my garden, and it's already starting to grow.

• Рассаду помидоров нужно поливать ежедневно, чтобы она не засохла.

  The tomato seedlings need to be watered daily so they don't dry out.

• В питомнике продают свежие сеянцы различных деревьев для озеленения парков.

  The nursery sells fresh seedlings of various trees for park landscaping.

• Моя рассада огурцов пострадала от мороза, но я надеюсь, что она выживет.

  My cucumber seedlings were damaged by the frost, but I hope they survive.

• Сеянец розы требует особого ухода, включая регулярную подкормку удобрениями.

  The rose seedling requires special care, including regular feeding with fertilizers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'сеянец' and 'рассада' are Russian nouns. 'Сеянец' is a masculine noun (3rd declension), while 'рассада' is feminine (1st declension). Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for each:

For 'сеянец' (singular and plural):

For 'рассада' (singular and plural):

These follow standard Russian declension patterns with no irregularities. 'Сеянец' is invariant in gender-specific uses, while 'рассада' may vary slightly in poetic or archaic contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: саженец (sazhenets) - Similar but often implies a slightly older plant; used interchangeably in gardening.
• Antonyms: взрослый куст (vzrpslyy kust) - Meaning 'mature bush', indicating a fully grown plant.

Related Phrases:

• Посадить сеянец - To plant a seedling; used when discussing initial planting in soil.
• Рассаду выращивать - To grow seedlings; common in contexts of indoor or greenhouse cultivation.
• Сеянец из семени - Seedling from a seed; emphasizes the origin in biological discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'сеянец' is the most precise equivalent to 'seedling' in formal or scientific English contexts, while 'рассада' is better for everyday gardening. Choose based on register: use 'сеянец' in academic writing and 'рассада' in casual speech. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. For example, avoid mixing with English loanwords; instead, integrate with native phrases like 'в саду' (in the garden) for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'сеянец' with 'саженец', thinking they are identical. Error: Using 'саженец' for very young plants. Correct: 'Сеянец' is for seedlings just from seeds, while 'саженец' is for more established ones. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in horticultural contexts; always check the plant's stage.

• Misdeclining the noun, e.g., saying 'посадил сеянца' incorrectly in accusative. Correct: 'посадил сеянец'. Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings; practice declension tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, seedlings like 'сеянец' symbolize new beginnings and growth, often featured in folk tales or proverbs about nature. For instance, they relate to themes in Russian literature, such as in Chekhov's works, where planting seedlings metaphorically represents hope and resilience in rural life.

Related Concepts:

• семя (seed)
• саженец (young plant)
• озеленение (landscaping)