Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tuna'

English Word: tuna

Key Russian Translations:

• тунец /ˈtunʲɛts/ - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word is encountered in general conversations about food, cooking, and marine life, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "fish").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; straightforward for English speakers due to phonetic similarities and simple noun structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

тунец: /ˈtunʲɛts/

Note on тунец: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'н' is palatalized, which may be challenging for beginners. Pronounce it with a soft 'n' sound, similar to the 'n' in "news" in English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A type of large, oily fish often used in cuisine, particularly in canned form.

Translation(s) & Context:

• тунец - Used in neutral, everyday contexts such as discussing food, recipes, or marine biology.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю есть тунец в салате. (Ya lyublyu yes't' tunets v salate.)

  I love eating tuna in salad. (This example shows the word in a simple declarative sentence about personal preferences in food.)

• В магазине есть свежий тунец. (V magazine yest' svyezhiy tunets.)

  There's fresh tuna in the store. (This demonstrates the word in a context of shopping or describing availability, highlighting its use as a countable noun.)

• Тунец – это полезная рыба для диеты. (Tunets – eto poleznaya ryba dlya diety.)

  Tuna is a healthy fish for a diet. (Here, the word is used in a general statement about health and nutrition, showing its role in informative or advisory contexts.)

• Мы приготовили блюдо из тунца на ужин. (My prigotovili bludo iz tunctsa na uzhin.)

  We prepared a dish made from tuna for dinner. (This example illustrates the word in a genitive case within a sentence about cooking, emphasizing everyday meal preparation.)

• В океане плавает много тунца. (V okeane plavayet mnogo tunctsa.)

  There are many tuna swimming in the ocean. (This shows the word in a plural context related to wildlife, demonstrating its use in descriptive or educational settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"тунец" is a masculine noun in the third declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners. In plural, it changes as shown above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скумбрия (skumbriya) - Similar oily fish, but less specific; used interchangeably in some recipes for a cheaper alternative.
  • лосось (losos') - Not exact, as it's salmon, but sometimes used in broader fish discussions with subtle differences in taste and context.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as "тунец" is a specific type of fish. However, in dietary contexts, it might contrast with "мясо" (myaso) meaning "meat" for vegetarian alternatives.

Related Phrases:

• Консервированный тунец (Konservirovannyy tunets) - Canned tuna; a common phrase for grocery shopping or cooking.
• Свежий тунец (Svyezhiy tunets) - Fresh tuna; used in contexts like markets or seafood restaurants.
• Тунец в масле (Tunets v masle) - Tuna in oil; refers to a specific preparation method, often in recipes.

Usage Notes:

"тунец" directly corresponds to the English "tuna" as a specific fish species. It is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both formal and informal contexts, such as in recipes, health discussions, or casual conversations. Be mindful of its grammatical gender (masculine), which affects adjective agreements (e.g., свежий тунец for "fresh tuna"). When choosing between translations, "тунец" is the most precise; avoid using broader terms like "рыба" (fish) unless generalizing. In Russian cuisine, it's often associated with salads or canned goods, so usage might imply practicality over luxury.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing the genitive form, e.g., saying "из тунец" instead of "из тунца". Correct: Use "из тунца" (from tuna) to indicate possession or origin. Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings; "тунец" in genitive becomes "тунца" after prepositions like "из".

• Error: Overgeneralizing to "рыба", e.g., translating "tuna salad" as "салат из рыбы" instead of "салат из тунца". Correct: Specify "тунец" for accuracy. Explanation: This dilutes the meaning; English learners often default to basic words, but precision is key in food contexts.

• Error: Mispronouncing with incorrect stress, e.g., stressing the second syllable. Correct: Always stress the first syllable as /ˈtunʲɛts/. Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "тунец" is not deeply tied to specific traditions but is popular in modern urban diets due to its affordability and health benefits. It's often featured in Soviet-era canned goods, reflecting a historical emphasis on preserved foods for long winters. This contrasts with Western perceptions where tuna might evoke sushi culture, though in Russia, it's more commonly associated with simple, everyday meals.

Related Concepts:

• скумбрия (skumbriya)
• лосось (losos')
• рыба (ryba)