Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zoologist'

English Word: zoologist

Key Russian Translations:

• зоолог /zɐˈo.ləɡ/ - [Formal, used in scientific and professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in academic, scientific, or educational discussions, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific terminology and basic Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of vocabulary but not beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зоолог: /zɐˈo.ləɡ/

Note on зоолог: The stress falls on the second syllable ("o"), which is a common feature in Russian words of Greek origin. Be cautious with the soft "л" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A scientist who studies animals and their behavior, classification, and habitats

Translation(s) & Context:

• зоолог - Used in formal academic or professional settings, such as research papers, lectures, or discussions about biology and ecology.

Usage Examples:

• Мой друг работает зоологом в музее. (My friend works as a zoologist in the museum.)

  Translation: My friend works as a zoologist in the museum. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting professional identity.)

• Зоолог изучает миграцию птиц в Сибири. (The zoologist studies the migration of birds in Siberia.)

  Translation: The zoologist studies the migration of birds in Siberia. (This demonstrates the word in a context involving research activities, with a prepositional phrase for location.)

• В университете я встретил известного зоолога. (At the university, I met a famous zoologist.)

  Translation: At the university, I met a famous zoologist. (This example illustrates usage in a narrative context, emphasizing personal encounters.)

• Зоологи часто путешествуют в отдаленные регионы для полевых исследований. (Zoologists often travel to remote regions for field research.)

  Translation: Zoologists often travel to remote regions for field research. (This shows the plural form in a general statement about the profession.)

• Эта книга написана талантливым зоологом из Москвы. (This book was written by a talented zoologist from Moscow.)

  Translation: This book was written by a talented zoologist from Moscow. (This example incorporates the word with adjectives and geographic specifics for added context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Зоолог" is a masculine noun (second declension in Russian), which means it undergoes regular declensions based on case, number, and gender. It does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Note: Always adjust the form based on the sentence's grammatical requirements, such as case agreement with prepositions or verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • специалист по зоологии (specialist in zoology) - More general term, often used interchangeably in broader contexts.
  • биолог-анималист (biologist focusing on animals) - Emphasizes the animal aspect but is less precise.
• Antonyms:
  • ботаник (botanist) - Focuses on plants, providing a conceptual opposite in the field of biology.

Related Phrases:

• зоологический сад (zoological garden) - Refers to a zoo; commonly used in everyday language to describe animal exhibits.
• работа зоолога (work of a zoologist) - Describes the professional activities; often in discussions about careers.
• изучение зоологии (study of zoology) - A phrase for academic pursuits; helpful in educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Зоолог" directly corresponds to the English "zoologist" and is used in formal contexts like scientific literature or academic discussions. It is a masculine noun, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender and number. For example, choose this term when referring to professionals in biology; if the context is more general, "специалист по зоологии" might be preferable. Be mindful of declensions to ensure grammatical accuracy, especially in complex sentences.

• In spoken Russian, it's common to use this word in plural form when discussing the field as a whole, e.g., "Зоологи внесли вклад в охрану природы" (Zoologists have contributed to nature conservation).
• Avoid using it in informal chats; opt for simpler terms if needed.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse declensions, such as using the nominative form "зоолог" in all cases. For instance:

• Incorrect: Я читал о зоолог в книге. (Error: Should be genitive "зоолога" after "о".)
• Correct: Я читал о зоологе в книге. (Translation: I read about the zoologist in the book.) Explanation: The prepositional case requires "зоологе" to indicate the topic of reading.
• Another error: Confusing it with "биолог" by using it interchangeably, which can lead to imprecision in scientific contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, zoology has historical significance due to figures like Alexander von Middendorff, a prominent 19th-century Russian zoologist who explored Siberia. Terms like "зоолог" often evoke images of extensive fieldwork in Russia's vast natural landscapes, reflecting the country's emphasis on environmental science and biodiversity conservation.

Related Concepts:

• биолог (biologist)
• эколог (ecologist)
• орнитолог (ornithologist)