Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stalk'

English Word: stalk

Key Russian Translations:

• стебель [ˈstʲebʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, used in botanical or everyday contexts]
• преследовать [prʲɪsʲlʲɪˈdavatʲ] - [Informal, used for the verb meaning to pursue or track someone]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in botanical discussions or literature, but not in casual everyday speech)

Difficulty: A2 for "стебель" (elementary level for basic nouns); B1 for "преследовать" (intermediate level due to verb conjugation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

стебель: [ˈstʲebʲɪlʲ]

преследовать: [prʲɪsʲlʲɪˈdavatʲ]

Note on стебель: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which is common in Russian nouns.

Note on преследовать: This is a verb with a strong emphasis on the second syllable; it can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The stem of a plant (noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стебель - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing plant anatomy in biology or gardening.

Usage Examples:

• Цветок крепко держится на стебле во время ветра.

  The flower holds firmly to the stalk during the wind.

• Стебель растения был поврежден насекомыми.

  The stalk of the plant was damaged by insects.

• В саду мы изучили, как стебель поддерживает листья и цветы.

  In the garden, we studied how the stalk supports the leaves and flowers.

• Длинный стебель подсолнуха достигает высоты двух метров.

  The long stalk of the sunflower reaches a height of two meters.

• Стебель травы гибкий и легко гнется под ногами.

  The stalk of the grass is flexible and bends easily underfoot.

To pursue or track someone (verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• преследовать - Used in informal or narrative contexts, such as in stories, crime reports, or psychological discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он начал преследовать ее по улицам, что напугало.

  He started to stalk her through the streets, which was frightening.

• Преследовать кого-то онлайн стало распространенной проблемой в современном мире.

  Stalking someone online has become a common issue in the modern world.

• Полиция предупреждает о рисках преследовать бывших партнеров.

  The police warn about the risks of stalking former partners.

• В фильме герой решает преследовать таинственного незнакомца.

  In the movie, the hero decides to stalk the mysterious stranger.

• Преследовать животных в дикой природе запрещено законом.

  Stalking animals in the wild is prohibited by law.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "стебель" (a masculine noun, 2nd declension):

It follows regular masculine noun patterns with no irregularities.

For "преследовать" (a verb, 1st conjugation):

This verb is regular but requires attention to aspect; the imperfective form is shown here.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ствол (for a thicker stem like a tree trunk; more specific to woody plants), побег (for a shoot or young stem; often used in agricultural contexts)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, but корень (root) could be considered contextually opposite in plant anatomy.

Related Phrases:

• Цветочный стебель - Refers to a flower stalk; used in gardening or floral arrangements.
• Преследовать в соцсетях - Means "to stalk on social media"; common in discussions about online safety.
• Длинный стебель растения - Describes "a long plant stalk"; often in botanical descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Stalk" as "стебель" corresponds directly to plant anatomy in Russian, but it's more formal and precise than everyday English equivalents. Use it in scientific or descriptive contexts; for informal talk, Russians might simply say "стебель" without much variation. For the verb "преследовать," it's a perfect match for stalking behavior, but be cautious of its negative connotations—it implies persistent pursuit. Choose between translations based on context: opt for "стебель" in nature-related topics and "преследовать" in social or legal scenarios. Grammatically, nouns like "стебель" require correct declension based on case, while verbs like "преследовать" need aspect agreement (e.g., imperfective for ongoing actions).

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "стебель" with "ствол" (trunk), leading to misuse in plant descriptions. Error: "Дерево имеет стебель" (incorrect for a tree). Correct: "Дерево имеет ствол." Explanation: "Стебель" is for herbaceous plants, while "ствол" is for woody ones.
• For "преследовать," beginners might forget verb conjugation, saying "Я преследовать" instead of "Я преследую." Error: "Я преследовать кого-то." Correct: "Я преследую кого-то." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject in person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "преследовать" often appears in literature and media related to psychological thrillers or historical contexts, such as Soviet-era surveillance, reflecting themes of paranoia and control. "Стебель" is neutral but symbolizes resilience in poetry, like in works by Pushkin, where plant stalks represent endurance in nature.

Related Concepts:

• Лист (leaf)
• Корень (root)
• Побег (shoot)