Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spore'

English Word: spore

Key Russian Translations:

• спора /ˈsporə/ - [Formal, Biological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with biological terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

спора: /ˈsporə/

Note on спора: The stress is on the first syllable; be cautious with the 'о' sound, which is pronounced as a short 'o' in Russian, potentially challenging for English speakers used to diphthongs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A reproductive cell that can develop into a new organism, especially in fungi, plants, and bacteria.

Translation(s) & Context:

• спора - Used in formal scientific, educational, or biological discussions; appropriate for describing microscopic reproductive structures in nature.

Usage Examples:

• В грибах спора является основным способом размножения.

  In fungi, the spore is the primary means of reproduction.

• Ученые изучают, как спора растений адаптируется к засушливым условиям.

  Scientists study how plant spores adapt to arid conditions.

• Спора бактерий может выживать в экстремальных температурах.

  Bacterial spores can survive in extreme temperatures.

• Во время лабораторного эксперимента мы наблюдали, как спора прорастает в новую культуру.

  During the lab experiment, we observed how the spore germinates into a new culture.

• Спора грибов распространяется ветром на большие расстояния.

  Fungal spores are spread by the wind over long distances.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Спора" is a feminine noun in the second declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for gender, number, and case. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зерно (zerno) - More general term for a seed-like structure, but less specific to spores; used in botanical contexts.
  • семя (semya) - Overlaps in meaning for reproductive units, but typically refers to seeds rather than spores; differentiate based on context.
• Antonyms:
  • Not directly applicable, as "spore" is a specific biological term without a clear opposite. However, in broader contexts, terms like "стерильность" (steril'nost') for sterility could contrast with reproductive concepts.

Related Phrases:

• Споровые культуры (Sporovye kul'tury) - Refers to spore cultures; used in microbiology to describe lab-grown samples.
• Распространение спор (Raspredelenie spor) - Spore dissemination; common in discussions about how spores spread in nature.
• Спора грибов (Spora gribov) - Fungal spore; a fixed phrase for specifying spores in mycology.

Usage Notes:

The Russian term "спора" directly corresponds to the English "spore" in biological contexts, maintaining a one-to-one translation for scientific accuracy. It is primarily used in formal settings like academia, research, or education, and is not common in casual conversation. When using "спора," pay attention to its feminine gender and second declension, which affects agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "эта спора" for "this spore"). If multiple translations exist, choose "спора" for precise biological references; alternatives like "семя" might imply a seed, leading to confusion. In sentences, ensure proper case usage based on the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "спора" with "споры" (the plural or genitive form) and using it incorrectly in sentences. For example, an English learner might say "Я вижу спора" instead of "Я вижу спору" in the accusative case.

  Correct Usage: "Я вижу спору под микроскопом" (I see the spore under the microscope). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so the accusative form "спору" is needed after verbs like "видеть."

• Error: Overgeneralizing and using "спора" interchangeably with "семя," leading to incorrect translations in biological texts.

  Correct Usage: Use "спора" for spores and "семя" for seeds. For instance, avoid saying "Спора дерева" when meaning "seed of a tree"; say "Семя дерева" instead. Explanation: This distinction prevents conceptual errors in scientific communication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, terms like "спора" are heavily emphasized in biology curricula, reflecting Russia's strong tradition in scientific research, such as in microbiology pioneered by scientists like Louis Pasteur's influences. While not carrying specific cultural idioms, it underscores the importance of nature and environmental sciences in Russian society, often linked to discussions on ecology and biodiversity preservation.

Related Concepts:

• семя (semya)
• грибок (gribok)
• микроорганизм (mikroorganizmov)