Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'starfish'

English Word: starfish

Key Russian Translations:

• морская звезда [ˈmorskaɪ̯ə zvʲɪˈzda] - [Formal; Used in scientific, educational, and general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in marine biology discussions but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Involves basic noun and adjective agreements, but requires understanding of Russian case systems)

Pronunciation (Russian):

морская звезда: [ˈmorskaɪ̯ə zvʲɪˈzda]

Note on морская звезда: The stress falls on the second syllable of "звезда" [zvʲɪˈzda], which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'z' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in different Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The marine animal with five arms, resembling a star.

Translation(s) & Context:

• морская звезда - Used in general, educational, or scientific contexts to describe the echinoderm; common in both formal writing and informal speech about marine life.

Usage Examples:

• В океане можно увидеть множество морских звезд, которые прячутся в рифах.

  In the ocean, you can see many starfish hiding in the reefs.

• Дети на пляже нашли морскую звезду и отнесли её в аквариум.

  The children found a starfish on the beach and took it to the aquarium.

• Морская звезда — это удивительное существо, которое регенерирует свои конечности.

  The starfish is an amazing creature that can regenerate its limbs.

• Во время дайвинга я сфотографировал морскую звезду на дне моря.

  During diving, I photographed a starfish on the sea floor.

• В зоологическом музее есть экспозиция, посвященная морским звездам и другим морским обитателям.

  In the zoological museum, there's an exhibit dedicated to starfish and other marine inhabitants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Морская звезда" is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective "морская" (feminine form of "морской", meaning "marine" or "sea") and the noun "звезда" (meaning "star"). As a feminine noun, "звезда" follows standard first-declension patterns in Russian. "Морская" agrees in gender, number, and case with "звезда". Below is a table outlining the inflections for "звезда" (feminine noun) and its adjective modifier.

Note: The adjective "морская" changes accordingly to match the case, gender, and number of "звезда". This phrase does not have irregular inflections but requires attention to agreement rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: звездообразный еж (star-shaped urchin, though less common); актиния (anemone, in broader marine contexts)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific noun without clear opposites.

Explanation: "Звездообразный еж" is a more scientific synonym but is rarely used in everyday language, highlighting the specificity of "морская звезда".

Related Phrases:

• морская звезда в океане - A starfish in the ocean (Used to describe natural habitats).
• собрать морские звёзды - To collect starfish (Common in recreational or educational contexts).
• морская звезда на пляже - A starfish on the beach (Often in stories or observations of marine life).

Usage Notes:

"Морская звезда" directly corresponds to "starfish" in English and is the standard term in Russian for this marine animal. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is more frequent in educational or scientific discussions. Always ensure adjective-noun agreement in sentences, as Russian requires the adjective to change based on the noun's case and number. When choosing translations, "морская звезда" is preferred over less common synonyms for clarity. Be cautious with plural forms in contexts involving multiple starfish.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел морская звезда" instead of "Я видел морскую звезду" (Accusative case required after "видел").
  Correct: "Я видел морскую звезду" (Explanation: Verbs like "видеть" trigger the Accusative case, so the adjective and noun must agree.)
• Error: Forgetting plural agreement, e.g., "Много морская звезда" instead of "Много морских звёзд".
  Correct: "Много морских звёзд" (Explanation: In plural, the adjective changes to "морских" and the noun to "звёзд" to match quantity indicators like "много".)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "морская звезда" is often referenced in children's literature, educational programs, and folklore about the sea, symbolizing resilience due to its ability to regenerate. It doesn't carry deep historical or mythical connotations like some other marine creatures in Russian tales, but it's commonly used in environmental education to promote ocean conservation.

Related Concepts:

• рыба (fish)
• краб (crab)
• актиния (sea anemone)