Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vermin'

English Word: vermin

Key Russian Translations:

• вредитель [vrʲɪˈdʲitʲɪlʲ] - [Formal, often used for pests or harmful animals]
• вредные животные [vrʲɪdˈnɨjɪ ʐɨˈvotnɨjɪ] - [Informal, plural form, referring to groups of pests]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language related to agriculture, pest control, and wildlife discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun inflections and common vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вредитель: [vrʲɪˈdʲitʲɪlʲ]

вредные животные: [vrʲɪdˈnɨjɪ ʐɨˈvotnɨjɪ]

Note on вредитель: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the soft consonants, which are common in Russian and can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Harmful pests or animals considered a nuisance

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредитель - Used in formal contexts like scientific or agricultural discussions, e.g., when referring to rats or insects in urban settings.
• вредные животные - Informal and plural, often in everyday conversations about wildlife or home infestations.

Usage Examples:

• В саду появилось много вредителей, которые уничтожают растения.

  In the garden, a lot of vermin appeared that are destroying the plants.

• Жители города борются с вредными животными, такими как крысы и мыши.

  City residents are fighting vermin such as rats and mice.

• Из-за вредителей урожай был значительно повреждён в прошлом году.

  Due to vermin, the harvest was significantly damaged last year.

• В доме нужно использовать ловушки для вредителей, чтобы защитить продукты.

  In the house, traps for vermin need to be used to protect food supplies.

• Эти вредные животные могут переносить болезни, поэтому их нужно уничтожать.

  These vermin can carry diseases, so they need to be eliminated.

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use for people or things considered harmful or destructive

Translation(s) & Context:

• вредитель - In metaphorical contexts, e.g., in literature or politics, to describe a saboteur or troublemaker.

Usage Examples:

• В компании есть вредитель, который подрывает усилия команды.

  In the company, there is a vermin who undermines the team's efforts.

• Этот вредитель распространяет ложную информацию в интернете.

  This vermin is spreading false information on the internet.

• В истории России вредители часто изображались как враги народа.

  In Russian history, vermin were often depicted as enemies of the people.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

вредитель is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows the standard second declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

вредные животные is a phrase where "вредные" is an adjective (agreeing with "животные" in gender, number, and case) and inflects accordingly. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • паразит [Commonly used for parasites, with a biological connotation]
  • вредонос [More formal, implying something harmful or malicious]
• Antonyms:
  • полезный организм [Refers to beneficial organisms or animals]
  • друг [In figurative contexts, meaning friend or ally]

Related Phrases:

• Борьба с вредителями - Fight against vermin (Common in pest control contexts, referring to efforts to eliminate pests).
• Вредители сельского хозяйства - Vermin of agriculture (Used for pests affecting farms and crops).
• Домашние вредители - Household vermin (Refers to pests in domestic settings, like insects or rodents).

Usage Notes:

"Vermin" translates most accurately to "вредитель" in Russian, but choose based on context: use the singular for specific instances and plural for groups. It's often formal, so in casual speech, opt for phrases like "вредные животные." Be mindful of Russian's case system; for example, in sentences, "вредитель" changes form depending on its role (e.g., genitive for possession). When "vermin" is used figuratively, "вредитель" can imply sabotage, similar to English idioms.

• Always consider the gender and number agreement in sentences.
• In modern Russian, this word is neutral but can carry negative connotations, so use with care in sensitive topics.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the case endings, for example, saying "Я видел вредитель" instead of the correct accusative "Я видел вредителя" (I saw the vermin). The error stems from ignoring Russian's declension rules. Correct usage: Incorrect: "Борьба с вредитель" (missing genitive plural); Correct: "Борьба с вредителями" – This ensures proper agreement and avoids grammatical awkwardness.

• Another common mistake is over-literal translation: Using "вермин" as a direct borrowing, which doesn't exist in Russian; instead, stick to native equivalents like "вредитель."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "вредитель" have historical roots in Soviet-era propaganda, where it was used to describe saboteurs or enemies of the state. This adds a layer of political connotation, making it more than just a word for pests—it's often linked to themes of vigilance and protection in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• паразит
• вредоносный
• экология