Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tomato'

English Word: tomato

Key Russian Translations:

• томат /tɐˈmat/ - [Common usage; refers to the fruit/vegetable in general contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, especially in contexts related to food, cooking, and agriculture.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; Suitable for basic learners as it is a straightforward noun with regular inflections, making it easy to grasp early in Russian studies.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

томат: /tɐˈmat/

Note on томат: The stress is on the second syllable (/tɐ-ˈmat/), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in a consonant. Be mindful of the soft 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A juicy, red or yellowish fruit used as a vegetable in cooking.

Translation(s) & Context:

• томат - Used in everyday contexts for fresh or canned tomatoes in recipes, markets, or general discussions about food. Common in informal and formal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я купил свежий томат на рынке. (Ya kupil svyezhiy tomat na rinkye.)

  I bought a fresh tomato at the market. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting everyday shopping scenarios.)

• В салате есть томаты и огурцы. (V salate yest' tomaty i ogurtsy.)

  There are tomatoes and cucumbers in the salad. (Here, the plural form demonstrates the noun in a list within a recipe or meal description.)

• Томат в этом соусе придает особый вкус. (Tomat v etom sauce pridayet osobyy vkus.)

  The tomato in this sauce gives a special flavor. (This illustrates the noun in a culinary context, emphasizing its role in flavoring dishes.)

• Она выращивает томаты в своем саду. (Ona vyrashchivaet tomaty v svoyem sadu.)

  She grows tomatoes in her garden. (This example shows the noun in a habitual action context, common in discussions about gardening or agriculture.)

• Консервированные томаты полезны зимой. (Konservirovannyye tomaty polezny zimoy.)

  Canned tomatoes are useful in winter. (This demonstrates the noun in a practical, seasonal context, often used in conversations about preservation and nutrition.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Томат" is a masculine noun of the first declension in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most cases. It is a common noun that changes based on number (singular and plural) and grammatical case. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: The inflections are regular, making it straightforward for learners. There are no irregular forms for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: помидор (pomidor) - Often used interchangeably in some regions, but "помидор" is more common in Ukrainian-influenced Russian or informal speech; баклажан (baklazhan) is not a true synonym but can relate in vegetable contexts.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "томат" is a specific item; however, in food contrasts, something like фрукт (frukt) for fruit could be considered, though not exact.

Related Phrases:

• Свежий томат (Svyezhiy tomat) - Fresh tomato; Used in markets or recipes to emphasize quality and freshness.
• Томатный соус (Tomatnyy sauce) - Tomato sauce; A common phrase in cooking, referring to sauces made from tomatoes.
• Консервированный томат (Konservirovannyy tomat) - Canned tomato; Often discussed in contexts of preservation or winter storage.

Usage Notes:

"Томат" directly corresponds to the English "tomato" and is the standard term in Russian for the fruit/vegetable. It is neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both everyday conversations and formal writing. Be aware that in some regional dialects, "помидор" might be preferred, so context matters—opt for "томат" in standard Russian. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires adjectives to agree in gender, number, and case (e.g., "свежий томат" for "fresh tomato"). When learning, focus on its declensions to handle sentences accurately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "томат" with "помидор" and using them interchangeably without context. Incorrect: "Я ем помидор" when "томат" is expected in formal Russian. Correct: "Я ем томат". Explanation: While both mean tomato, "помидор" is more informal or regional; stick to "томат" for standard usage to avoid sounding non-native.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using "томат" in the genitive case incorrectly as "томат" instead of "томата". Incorrect: "Без томат" (meaning "without tomato"). Correct: "Без томата". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on sentence structure to prevent grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, tomatoes ("томат") are a staple in traditional cuisine, such as in salads, soups like borscht, or preserved for winter. They symbolize freshness and abundance in rural areas, often featured in summer harvest festivals. Historically, tomatoes were introduced from the Americas and became integral to Russian diets in the 19th century, reflecting cultural exchanges through trade and colonization.

Related Concepts:

• огурцы (ogurtsy) - Cucumbers
• овощи (ovoshchi) - Vegetables
• салат (salat) - Salad