Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'starch'

English Word: starch

Key Russian Translations:

• крахмал [krɐxˈmal] - [Formal, Noun, Used in scientific, culinary, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about food, chemistry, and laundry, but not as frequent as basic everyday words).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should understand its basic forms and usage, as it involves standard noun declensions in Russian).

Pronunciation (Russian):

крахмал: [krɐxˈmal]

Note on крахмал: The stress is on the second syllable ('mal'), and the 'x' sound is a guttural fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a clear 'r' roll if speaking in a formal Russian context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A carbohydrate substance found in plants, used in food or industry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крахмал - Used in contexts related to nutrition, chemistry, or cooking, especially when referring to its role in starchy foods like potatoes.

Usage Examples:

• В картофеле содержится много крахмала, что делает его полезным для энергии.

  In potatoes, there is a lot of starch, which makes them useful for energy.

• Крахмал используется в промышленности для загустения продуктов.

  Starch is used in industry to thicken products.

• Диета с низким содержанием крахмала помогает в контроле веса.

  A low-starch diet helps in weight control.

• В лаборатории мы изучаем, как крахмал реагирует на тепло.

  In the laboratory, we study how starch reacts to heat.

2. A substance used to stiffen fabrics in laundry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• крахмал - Applied in everyday or household contexts, such as ironing clothes, and is less common in modern usage due to synthetic alternatives.

Usage Examples:

• Для глажки рубашек добавьте крахмал в воду.

  Add starch to the water for ironing shirts.

• Крахмал делает ткань более жесткой и wrinkle-free.

  Starch makes the fabric stiffer and wrinkle-free.

• В старину крахмал был основным средством для утюжки одежды.

  In the old days, starch was the main means for ironing clothes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Крахмал is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant, with regular inflections based on case and number. There are no irregularities, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: The plural form is less common and typically used for varieties or types of starch.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • амилум (amylum) - A more scientific term, often used in medical or chemical contexts; less common in everyday speech.
  • крахмалистый материал (krakhmalistyy material) - Refers to starchy substances broadly, with a slight emphasis on texture.
• Antonyms:
  • белок (belok) - Protein, contrasting in nutritional composition.

Related Phrases:

• Крахмалистые продукты (Krakhmalistye produkty) - Starchy foods; Refers to items like bread or rice in dietary discussions.
• Безглютеновый крахмал (Bezgluttenovyy krakhmal) - Gluten-free starch; Common in health and allergy-related contexts.
• Крахмал для глажки (Krakhmal dlya glazhki) - Starch for ironing; Used in household chores.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "крахмал" directly corresponds to the English "starch" as a noun, but it's important to note its formal tone in scientific or industrial contexts. Unlike English, where "starch" can be used metaphorically (e.g., for stiffness in personality), Russian usage is more literal. When choosing between translations, opt for "крахмал" in everyday scenarios; for laundry, it's still appropriate but increasingly replaced by modern alternatives. Pay attention to case endings to fit sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement with other elements.

• Contextual tip: In culinary discussions, pair it with adjectives like "крахмальный" (starchy) for descriptions.
• Grammar note: As a masculine noun, it takes masculine adjectives and follows standard declension rules.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "крахмал" with "мука" (flour), assuming they are interchangeable, but "мука" specifically means ground grains, while "крахмал" is the extracted substance. Incorrect: "Я ем муку для энергии" (I eat flour for energy) – This sounds odd. Correct: "Я ем продукты с крахмалом для энергии" (I eat products with starch for energy). Another error is forgetting declensions; for example, using nominative in all cases, like "Я думаю о крахмал" instead of "Я думаю о крахмале" in prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "крахмал" is often associated with traditional cuisine, such as in staples like potatoes and bread, which are central to Russian diets. Historically, starch from potatoes played a role in wartime rations during the World Wars, symbolizing resilience and basic sustenance in Russian folklore and literature.

Related Concepts:

• Глюкоза (Glyukoza) - Related to carbohydrate metabolism.
• Углеводы (Uglebody) - General term for carbohydrates.
• Клетчатка (Kletchatka) - Fiber, often discussed alongside starch in nutrition.