семечки
semechki
The English phrase "sunflower seeds" is translated into Russian as семечки (semechki).
In Russian, семечки refers to the edible seeds of a sunflower plant. When you want to describe the specific action of cracking open and eating these seeds, the verb лузгать is commonly used. If you are pouring the seeds out, you can use the phrase ссыпать семечки.
What does it mean word for word?
The word семечки is the diminutive form of семя (seed), implying small, snack-sized seeds.
Which one should you use?
While семечки is the common term for the snack, семена подсолнечника is the formal botanical term for sunflower seeds. There is also an informal way to say it using Подсолнечниковые семечки.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form семечка is used when referring to a single seed, whereas семечки is the standard plural used for the snack.
How do you pronounce it?
semechki
Did you know?
- The act of eating семечки is often associated with the 'gopnik' subculture, where crouching and cracking seeds is a visual shorthand for a specific street youth identity.
- Eating семечки is such a pervasive social activity in Russia that it is often viewed as a way to pass time or relieve stress during long conversations.
- In Russian urban culture, the sight of семечки shells on the ground is a common and stereotypical marker of a working-class neighborhood or a casual street gathering.
Examples in context
- Я весь день лузгаю семечки.I eat sunflower seeds all day.This sentence is useful for describing the action of eating sunflower seeds all day using семечки.Tatoeba #2971053 by odexed, translation #2971039 by celeriac
- Моему попугаю не нравятся семечки.My parrot doesn't like sunflower seeds.This sentence shows a way to express that a pet does not like семечки.Tatoeba #5294200 by odexed, translation #7737715 by CK
- Я люблю щелкать подсолнечные семечки.I like cracking sunflower seeds.This sentence is useful for expressing a liking for the action of cracking sunflower seeds using семечки.Tatoeba #4517591 by Selena777, translation #800261 by FeuDRenais2
Example conversation
Anastasia and Andrey are sitting on a park bench.
- Анастасия AnastasiaУ тебя есть с собой семечки?U tebya yest' s soboy semechki?Do you have any sunflower seeds with you?
- Андрей AndreyДа, я купил пакет в магазине.Da, ya kupil paket v magazine.Yes, I bought a packet at the store.
- Анастасия AnastasiaОтлично, давай поделимся.Otlichno, davay podelimsya.Great, let's share them.
- Андрей AndreyКонечно, держи.Konechno, derzhi.Of course, here you go.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
