Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shrimp'

English Word: shrimp

Key Russian Translations:

• креветка [krʲɪˈvʲetkə] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in conversations about food and seafood, but not as frequently as basic daily vocabulary.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner) - Suitable for early learners, as it involves straightforward feminine noun patterns and common pronunciation rules.

Pronunciation (Russian):

креветка: [krʲɪˈvʲetkə]

Note on креветка: The stress falls on the second syllable ("vʲet"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'r' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A small shellfish used as food (primary literal sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• креветка - Used in culinary and everyday contexts, such as discussing meals or shopping for seafood. It can be informal or neutral.

Usage Examples:

• Я ем креветки с салатом и лимоном.

  I eat shrimp with salad and lemon. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing food pairing.)

• В магазине есть свежие креветки из Чёрного моря.

  In the store, there are fresh shrimp from the Black Sea. (Illustrates use in a descriptive context, specifying origin.)

• Креветки в этом рецепте нужно отварить в подсоленной воде.

  The shrimp in this recipe need to be boiled in salted water. (Demonstrates plural form and imperative context in cooking instructions.)

• Я не люблю креветки, потому что они слишком маленькие.

  I don't like shrimp because they are too small. (Shows the word in an opinion-based sentence, highlighting size as a characteristic.)

• Ресторан подает креветки с соусом и гарниром.

  The restaurant serves shrimp with sauce and garnish. (Exemplifies use in a formal dining or menu description.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

креветка is a feminine noun (1st declension). It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a declension table for singular and plural forms:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. Always adjust based on sentence structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ракообразное (rakobraztnoe - more scientific term for crustacean), but it lacks the specific culinary connotation; креветочный (krevetochnyy - adjective form for shrimp-related items)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific noun without clear opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Варёные креветки - Boiled shrimp (Common in recipes and everyday cooking).
• Свежие креветки - Fresh shrimp (Used when discussing shopping or quality of seafood).
• Креветки в соусе - Shrimp in sauce (A phrase for prepared dishes in Russian cuisine).
• Морские креветки - Sea shrimp (Specifies type, often in contrast to freshwater varieties).

Usage Notes:

креветка directly corresponds to the English "shrimp" in its literal sense as a seafood item. It is neutral and can be used in both formal (e.g., restaurant menus) and informal settings (e.g., casual conversations). Be aware that Russian cuisine often pairs it with other ingredients, so it's commonly found in phrases involving preparation methods. If translating slang uses of "shrimp" (e.g., for a small person), consider alternatives like "малыш" (malysh), but stick to креветка for food contexts. Grammar-wise, ensure correct declension based on case, as Russian requires agreement with other sentence elements.

• Choose креветка over less common terms when referring to edible shellfish to maintain naturalness.
• In plural forms, it's often used without articles, unlike English.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse креветка with рыба (fish) or other seafood terms, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example:

• Error: *Я ем рыбу креветка* (Incorrect: Mixing terms as if they are the same).
• Correct: Я ем креветки (I eat shrimp). Explanation: рыба refers specifically to fish, not shellfish, so use креветка alone for accuracy.
• Another error: Forgetting declension, e.g., *Я купил креветка* (Wrong: Nominative in accusative context).
• Correct: Я купил креветку (I bought shrimp). Explanation: Accusative form is needed after verbs like "buy."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, креветка is a staple in seafood dishes, especially in coastal regions like the Black Sea or Far East. It appears in traditional recipes, such as salads or appetizers during holidays like New Year's Eve, symbolizing abundance. However, due to historical fishing traditions, it may carry connotations of fresh, locally sourced food, contrasting with imported varieties in urban areas.

Related Concepts:

• устрица (oyster)
• лосось (salmon)
• крабы (crabs)
• морепродукты (seafood in general)