Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'acidity'

English Word: acidity

Key Russian Translations:

• кислотность [ˈkʲɪslətnəstʲ] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in scientific, chemical, and food-related contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding scientific terminology and basic noun inflections; suitable for learners with some exposure to technical Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кислотность: [ˈkʲɪslətnəstʲ]

Note on кислотность: The stress falls on the first syllable, and the palatalized 'кʲ' sound can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft 'k' as in 'cute'. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: The quality or state of being acid, often referring to the level of acidity in chemical, biological, or everyday contexts (e.g., in food, soil, or substances).

Translation(s) & Context:

• кислотность - Used in formal scientific or technical contexts, such as chemistry or agriculture, to describe pH levels or acidic properties.

Usage Examples:

• В вине высокая кислотность придает ему свежесть и вкус. (In wine, high acidity gives it freshness and flavor.)

  English: "In wine, high acidity gives it freshness and flavor."

• Кислотность почвы нужно проверить перед посадкой растений. (The acidity of the soil needs to be checked before planting.)

  English: "The acidity of the soil needs to be checked before planting."

• Из-за повышенной кислотности желудка у него часто бывают боли. (Due to increased stomach acidity, he often has pains.)

  English: "Due to increased stomach acidity, he often has pains."

• В лабораторных тестах мы измеряем кислотность растворов с помощью pH-метра. (In lab tests, we measure the acidity of solutions using a pH meter.)

  English: "In lab tests, we measure the acidity of solutions using a pH meter."

• Кислотность фруктов варьируется в зависимости от сорта и условий выращивания. (The acidity of fruits varies depending on the variety and growing conditions.)

  English: "The acidity of fruits varies depending on the variety and growing conditions."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кислотность is a feminine noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns for feminine nouns ending in -ость. It is not irregular but changes based on case, number, and grammatical context. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This noun does not change in gender or have verbal forms, as it is not a verb. If used in compounds, inflections remain consistent.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • кислота (acid; more general, referring to the substance itself, with subtle differences in context—used when emphasizing the acidic nature directly).
  • ацидность (rarer, more technical synonym in specialized fields).
• Antonyms:
  • щелочность (alkalinity; used in opposition in chemical contexts to describe basic properties).
  • нейтральность (neutrality; for substances with a balanced pH).

Related Phrases:

• уровень кислотности (level of acidity) - Refers to measuring pH in scientific or environmental contexts.
• повышенная кислотность (increased acidity) - Commonly used in health or food discussions to indicate excess acid.
• снижение кислотности (reduction of acidity) - Describes processes like neutralization in chemistry.

Usage Notes:

кислотность directly corresponds to the English "acidity" in scientific and technical contexts, but it's more formal and less common in everyday Russian speech. Use it when discussing chemistry, biology, or food science. For informal settings, Russians might opt for simpler terms like "кислота." Be mindful of grammatical gender (feminine) and always inflect based on case. When choosing between translations, "кислотность" is preferred for abstract qualities, while "кислота" suits tangible acids.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "кислотность" with "кислота" and using them interchangeably. For example, saying "Я пью кислота" instead of "Я пью напиток с высокой кислотностью" (I drink acid vs. I drink a beverage with high acidity).

  Correct: У напитка высокая кислотность. (The beverage has high acidity.)
  Explanation: "кислота" means the substance (acid), while "кислотность" refers to the property. This distinction prevents misuse in descriptive contexts.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "Измерить кислотность" incorrectly in certain cases.
  Correct: Измерить уровень кислотности (to measure the level of acidity).
  Explanation: Always adjust for case, as in genitive "кислотности" when indicating possession or relation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of "кислотность" often tie into practical applications like soil acidity in agriculture or acidity in traditional foods (e.g., kvass or fermented products). It doesn't carry strong historical connotations but reflects Russia's emphasis on scientific education, stemming from its Soviet-era focus on chemistry and engineering.

Related Concepts:

• pH
• щелочь (alkali)
• нейтрализация (neutralization)