Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tadpole'

English Word: tadpole

Key Russian Translations:

• головастик [ɡələˈvastʲɪk] - [Neutral; Used in formal and informal contexts, especially in educational or biological discussions]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in scientific, educational, or children's literature contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should recognize it as a basic biological term, though understanding inflections may require additional practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

головастик: [ɡələˈvastʲɪk]

Note on головастик: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vas'), and the 'ʲ' indicates a palatalized 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The larval stage of a frog or toad

Translation(s) & Context:

• головастик - Used in general biological or educational contexts to describe the aquatic larval form of amphibians, such as frogs.

Usage Examples:

• Маленький головастик плавает в пруду, постепенно превращаясь в лягушку.

  A little tadpole is swimming in the pond, gradually turning into a frog.

• Дети наблюдали, как головастики развиваются в аквариуме во время урока биологии.

  Children observed how tadpoles develop in the aquarium during a biology lesson.

• В реке полно головастиков, которые ищут пищу в иле.

  The river is full of tadpoles that are searching for food in the silt.

• Головастик – это ранняя стадия жизни земноводных, как у лягушек или жаб.

  A tadpole is the early life stage of amphibians, such as frogs or toads.

• Под микроскопом видно, как головастик растет и формирует конечности.

  Under the microscope, you can see how the tadpole grows and forms limbs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Головастик" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular noun inflection patterns in Russian, changing based on case and number. Below is a table of its key inflections:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мальок (used for fish larvae, with a slight difference in context for aquatic young); личиночная форма (more descriptive term for larval stage)
• Antonyms: взрослый лягушка (adult frog; implies the opposite stage of development)

Related Phrases:

• Головастик лягушки - Refers to the tadpole of a frog, commonly used in educational contexts.
• Развитие головастика - Means "development of a tadpole," often in biology discussions.
• Молодой головастик - Describes a "young tadpole," emphasizing early stages.

Usage Notes:

"Головастик" directly corresponds to "tadpole" in English and is the most accurate translation for biological contexts. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both spoken and written Russian. Be mindful of its declensions when constructing sentences, as Russian requires agreement in case and number. For example, choose this term over more general words like "личинка" if specificity to amphibians is needed. If multiple translations exist, "головастик" is preferred for precision in scientific settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing it with "личинка" (larva) and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: "Это личинка бабочки" instead of "Это головастик лягушки." Correct: Use "головастик" specifically for frog/toad larvae to avoid vagueness. Explanation: "Личинка" is a broader term for any larva, while "головастик" is precise for amphibians, helping learners differentiate based on context.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "в головастик" instead of "в головастике" in prepositional case. Correct: "Я увидел головастика в пруду" (I saw a tadpole in the pond). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with prepositions, so always check the case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tadpoles like "головастик" often appear in children's stories and educational materials, symbolizing transformation and growth, as seen in folklore tales about frogs. This reflects a broader appreciation for nature in Russian literature, such as in works by writers like Leo Tolstoy, where natural cycles are metaphorically linked to personal development.

Related Concepts:

• лягушка (frog)
• жаба (toad)
• личинка (larva)
• развитие (development)