Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'urchin'

English Word: urchin

Key Russian Translations:

• Морской еж [mɐrˈskoj jɛʂ] - [Formal, Used in scientific or everyday contexts referring to marine life]
• Беспризорник [bʲɪsprʲɪˈzornʲɪk] - [Informal, Used in social or literary contexts for a street child or mischievous youth]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are encountered in everyday language, especially in contexts like marine biology or literature, but not as common as basic vocabulary.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the basic meanings, but understanding nuances and inflections may require practice. For 'Морской еж', it's slightly easier (A2) due to its compound structure; for 'Беспризорник', it's B1 due to irregular inflections.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Морской еж: [mɐrˈskoj jɛʂ]

Note on Морской еж: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure' in English, and can vary slightly in speed depending on regional accents in Russia.

Беспризорник: [bʲɪsprʲɪˈzornʲɪk]

Note on Беспризорник: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'при' prefix can be tricky for beginners as it softens the preceding consonant. Pronunciation may soften in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small, spiny sea creature (e.g., sea urchin)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Морской еж - Used in formal scientific, educational, or casual descriptions of marine life, often in contexts like biology or cuisine.

Usage Examples:

• В океане мы увидели множество морских ежей, которые защищают себя колючками.

  In the ocean, we saw many sea urchins that protect themselves with spines.

• Морской еж - это вкусный деликатес в японской кухне, но его нужно готовить осторожно.

  The sea urchin is a delicious delicacy in Japanese cuisine, but it needs to be prepared carefully.

• Во время подводного плавания я случайно коснулся морского ежа и почувствовал боль от его игл.

  During my underwater dive, I accidentally touched a sea urchin and felt pain from its spines.

• Морские ежи играют важную роль в экосистеме, питаясь водорослями и поддерживая баланс.

  Sea urchins play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding on algae and maintaining balance.

• В зоопарке есть аквариум с морскими ежами, где дети учатся о морской фауне.

  In the zoo, there's an aquarium with sea urchins where children learn about marine fauna.

Meaning 2: A mischievous or neglected child, often a street urchin

Translation(s) & Context:

• Беспризорник - Used in informal, literary, or social contexts to describe a child living on the streets or behaving playfully in a troublesome way.

Usage Examples:

• В старом фильме главный герой был беспризорником, который выживал на улицах большого города.

  In the old film, the main character was a street urchin who survived on the streets of a big city.

• Этот беспризорник всегда устраивал шалости в парке, но в глубине души он был добрым.

  This mischievous urchin always caused mischief in the park, but deep down he was kind.

• Беспризорники в исторических романах часто символизируют борьбу за выживание в бедности.

  Street urchins in historical novels often symbolize the struggle for survival in poverty.

• Местные жители помогают беспризорникам, предоставляя им еду и образование.

  Local residents help street urchins by providing them with food and education.

• Как беспризорник, он научился жить на улице, крадя еду и прячась от полиции.

  As a street urchin, he learned to live on the streets, stealing food and hiding from the police.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are Russian nouns and follow standard declension patterns for masculine nouns. 'Морской еж' is a compound noun where 'еж' (hedgehog, but used metaphorically) inflects regularly. 'Беспризорник' is a masculine noun that inflects based on its ending.

These nouns do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners, but pay attention to the soft sign in 'Беспризорник' which affects pronunciation in some cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Еж морской (for Морской еж; a more literal variant)
  • Уличный мальчишка (for Беспризорник; implies a playful street child, often used in informal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Домашний ребенок (for Беспризорник; meaning a well-cared-for child at home)

Note: 'Уличный мальчишка' as a synonym for Беспризорник carries a lighter, more playful connotation compared to the original's emphasis on neglect.

Related Phrases:

• Морской еж в океане - A phrase used to describe sea urchins in their natural habitat; English equivalent: "sea urchin in the ocean."
• Беспризорный ребенок на улице - Common in social discussions; means "street urchin on the street" and refers to homeless children.
• Колючки морского ежа - Refers to the spines of a sea urchin; used metaphorically for something prickly or defensive.

Usage Notes:

'Urchin' corresponds closely to 'Морской еж' in marine contexts and 'Беспризорник' in social ones, but Russian users might prefer more descriptive phrases. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings: 'Морской еж' is neutral, while 'Беспризорник' can carry emotional weight. When choosing between translations, opt for 'Беспризорник' in literary or historical discussions. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Морской еж' with 'еж' alone, leading to misuse like saying "еж в море" instead of "морской еж". Correct: Use the full compound for clarity. Explanation: 'Еж' means hedgehog, so it could mislead learners into animal mix-ups.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "Беспризорник" in genitive as "Беспризорникa" instead of "Беспризорника". Correct: Follow standard masculine declension. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case endings, which change based on sentence role.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'Беспризорник' evokes images from 19th-20th century literature, such as in works by Dostoevsky or during the Soviet era's orphan crises, symbolizing resilience amid hardship. 'Морской еж' is less culturally loaded but appears in folklore as a symbol of the sea's dangers, reflecting Russia's vast coastal heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Еж (hedgehog)
• Бродяга (vagabond)
• Морская фауна (marine fauna)