Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'veal'

English Word: veal

Key Russian Translations:

• телятина /tʲɪˈlʲatʲɪnə/ - [Formal, Singular, Refers to meat from young cattle]
• мясо теленка /ˈmʲasə tʲɪˈlʲenkə/ - [Informal, Descriptive, Used in everyday conversation or recipes]

Frequency: Medium (Common in culinary contexts, food-related discussions, and markets, but not as frequent as basic food terms like "хлеб" (bread)).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to food, but straightforward for learners familiar with animal-derived terms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

телятина: /tʲɪˈlʲatʲɪnə/ (The stress is on the third syllable; the 'т' is palatalized, which is common in Russian nouns.)

мясо теленка: /ˈmʲasə tʲɪˈlʲenkə/ (Note that 'мясо' has stress on the first syllable, and 'теленка' features a soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for beginners.)

Note on телятина: Pay attention to the palatalization of 'т' and 'л', which affects the flow; it's pronounced more softly than in English equivalents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Meat from a young calf, typically used in cooking.

Translation(s) & Context:

• телятина - Used in formal or culinary contexts, such as restaurant menus or recipes, to specify high-quality meat from young animals.
• мясо теленка - Informal alternative, often in everyday shopping or home cooking discussions, emphasizing the animal's age.

Usage Examples:

• Я приготовил телятину с овощами на ужин. (I cooked veal with vegetables for dinner.)

  This example shows the word in a simple sentence about preparing a meal, highlighting its use in domestic contexts.

• В ресторане подают свежую телятину из фермы. (The restaurant serves fresh veal from the farm.)

  Here, it demonstrates the word in a commercial setting, emphasizing quality and origin.

• Мама купила мясо теленка для салата. (Mom bought veal for the salad.)

  This illustrates informal usage in family scenarios, showing how it integrates with other food items.

• Телятина в этом блюде придает нежный вкус. (The veal in this dish gives a tender flavor.)

  This sentence focuses on sensory descriptions, common in recipe discussions.

• Не путай мясо теленка с говядиной. (Don't confuse veal with beef.)

  This example contrasts the term with related vocabulary, aiding in differentiation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

телятина is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun patterns with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

мясо теленка is a phrase where 'мясо' (neuter, 2nd declension) inflects as: Nominative: мясо, Genitive: мяса, etc. 'теленка' is genitive singular of 'теленок' (a masculine noun), which inflects irregularly in plural forms. It remains relatively stable in phrases but changes with case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мясо молодого теленка (More descriptive, used when specifying age in informal contexts)
  • молодое мясо (General term, but less precise; common in casual speech)
• Antonyms:
  • говядина (/ɡɐˈvʲadʲɪnə/ - Beef, from adult cattle; contrasts in terms of animal age and texture)
  • свинина (/svʲɪˈnʲinə/ - Pork; differs in animal type)

Related Phrases:

• жареная телятина (Fried veal) - A common dish in Russian cuisine, often served with potatoes.
• телятина на гриле (Grilled veal) - Refers to barbecued preparations, popular in summer outings.
• свежая телятина из фермы (Fresh veal from the farm) - Emphasizes organic or local sourcing in modern contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'телятина' directly corresponds to 'veal' as a specific type of meat, but it's more formal than 'мясо теленка', which is conversational. Use 'телятина' in written recipes or menus for precision, while 'мясо теленка' suits spoken language. Be mindful of grammatical gender: as a feminine noun, it requires feminine agreement in adjectives (e.g., свежая телятина). In culinary contexts, Russians often pair it with seasonal ingredients, reflecting cultural preferences for fresh, local produce.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'телятина' with 'говядина' and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: Я ем говядину (when meaning veal). Correct: Я ем телятину. Explanation: 'Говядина' means beef from adult cattle, so this error stems from overlooking the age-specific meaning; always check the animal's stage.
• Mistake: Forgetting declensions, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: Купить телятина (instead of телятину in accusative). Correct: Купить телятину. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; learners should practice declension tables to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, veal is often associated with traditional dishes like 'телятина по-бургундски' (veal Burgundy style), influenced by French cuisine due to historical exchanges. It's valued for its tenderness and is common in festive meals, symbolizing abundance, but ethical concerns about animal welfare have made it less ubiquitous in modern diets.

Related Concepts:

• говядина (beef)
• свинина (pork)
• курица (chicken)
• ферма (farm, relating to meat sourcing)