Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zygote'

English Word: zygote

Key Russian Translations:

• зигота [zɪˈɡotə] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific, biological, or medical contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with biological terminology and basic Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with intermediate proficiency)

Pronunciation (Russian):

зигота: [zɪˈɡotə]

Note on зигота: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ɡo-'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to differences in vowel pronunciation. The 'з' is pronounced like the 'z' in "zebra", and the final 'а' is a soft, unstressed vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The cell resulting from the fertilization of an egg by a sperm (Biological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• зигота - Used in formal scientific discussions, such as biology textbooks or medical lectures, to describe the initial stage of embryonic development.

Usage Examples:

• Зигота образуется при слиянии сперматозоида и яйцеклетки в процессе оплодотворения.

  Translation: A zygote is formed by the fusion of a sperm and an egg during fertilization. (This example shows the word in a basic biological explanation.)

• В эмбриологии зигота делится на клетки, формируя бластуллу.

  Translation: In embryology, the zygote divides into cells, forming a blastula. (This demonstrates the word in a developmental context, highlighting cell division.)

• Учёные изучают генетический материал зиготы для понимания наследственности.

  Translation: Scientists study the genetic material of the zygote to understand heredity. (This example illustrates usage in genetic research, emphasizing scientific application.)

• Зигота представляет собой первую стадию развития млекопитающих.

  Translation: The zygote represents the first stage of development in mammals. (This shows the word in a comparative biological context.)

• В лабораторных условиях зигота может быть получена через искусственное оплодотворение.

  Translation: In laboratory conditions, a zygote can be obtained through artificial fertilization. (This example covers modern medical applications, like IVF.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Зигота" is a feminine noun (third declension in Russian), which means it follows standard feminine noun patterns for declension. It is not irregular but requires attention to case endings. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: As a scientific term, it is often used in singular form and does not change in everyday contexts, but proper declension is essential in formal writing or speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • оплодотворённая яйцеклетка (oplodotvorennaya yaytsenkletka) - More descriptive, used interchangeably in educational contexts; emphasizes the fertilized egg aspect.
  • зиготическая клетка (zigoticheskaya kletka) - Slightly more technical, highlighting the cellular nature.
• Antonyms:
  • гаметa (gameta) - Refers to the reproductive cells (sperm or egg) before fertilization; used in contrast to highlight the pre-zygote stage.

Related Phrases:

• Формирование зиготы (Formirovaniye zigoty) - Meaning: The formation of a zygote; Used in discussions about fertilization processes.
• Разделение зиготы (Razdeleniye zigoty) - Meaning: The division of a zygote; Common in embryology to describe early cell splitting.
• Зигота в эмбриональном развитии (Zigota v embrionalnom razvitii) - Meaning: Zygote in embryonic development; A phrase for broader biological contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Зигота" directly corresponds to the English "zygote" as a term in biology and medicine, making it a precise translation without significant nuances. However, it is primarily used in formal or academic settings, so avoid it in casual conversation. When using this word, ensure correct declension based on the sentence structure, as Russian grammar requires nouns to agree in case with other elements. For English learners, choose "зигота" over synonyms like "оплодотворённая яйцеклетка" if brevity is needed in scientific writing. Be aware of context: in medical discussions, it often pairs with terms like "эмбрион" (embryo) to describe sequential stages.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using "зигота" without proper declension, e.g., saying "о зигота" instead of "о зиготе" in the prepositional case. Correct: "О зиготе в биологии" (About the zygote in biology). Explanation: Russian nouns must change endings to match the case, which English speakers often overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Incorrect: Confusing it with "гаметa" by using "зигота" to mean an unfertilized cell. Correct: Use "зигота" only for the post-fertilization stage. Explanation: This mix-up stems from similar biological concepts, but precision is key in scientific Russian to avoid misleading descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, "зигота" is a standard term in biology curricula, reflecting the influence of Soviet-era scientific advancements in genetics and embryology. It carries no particular cultural connotations beyond its scientific role, but understanding it can enhance appreciation for Russia's contributions to fields like reproductive medicine, such as the work of pioneers in in-vitro fertilization.

Related Concepts:

• эмбрион (embrion)
• бластула (blastula)
• гаметa (gameta)
• оплодотворение (oplodotvorenie)