Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Additive'

English Word: additive

Key Russian Translations:

• добавка [dɐˈbavkə] - [Formal, Often used for food or chemical additives]
• присадка [prʲɪˈsatkə] - [Technical, Often used in contexts like fuel or oil additives]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

добавка: [dɐˈbavkə]

Note on добавка: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'o' is reduced to a schwa sound in unstressed position.

присадка: [prʲɪˈsatkə]

Note on присадка: Stress on the second syllable. The 'и' is pronounced with a soft 'r' due to palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Substance added to something (e.g., food, fuel)

Translation(s) & Context:

• добавка - Commonly used for food additives or supplements.
• присадка - Primarily used for technical additives, such as in fuel or lubricants.

Usage Examples:

• В этом продукте много пищевых добавок.

  There are many food additives in this product.

• Нам нужно купить добавку для улучшения вкуса.

  We need to buy an additive to enhance the flavor.

• Эта присадка улучшает качество топлива.

  This additive improves the quality of the fuel.

• Присадки в масле помогают двигателю работать дольше.

  Additives in the oil help the engine last longer.

• Некоторые добавки могут быть вредными для здоровья.

  Some additives can be harmful to health.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

добавка (noun, feminine): Follows the regular declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

присадка (noun, feminine): Follows a similar regular declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for добавка:

• ингредиент (ingredient, often used in cooking)
• дополнение (addition, more general)

Synonyms for присадка:

• добавление (addition, less technical)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term in common usage.

Related Phrases:

• пищевая добавка - Food additive (commonly used in product labeling).
• химическая присадка - Chemical additive (often used in industrial contexts).
• добавка к зарплате - Salary supplement (used in financial contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "добавка" when referring to food additives or general supplements. Use "присадка" for technical contexts like fuel or oil additives.
• Register: "добавка" is more neutral and widely understood, while "присадка" is more specialized and may not be familiar to all speakers.
• Grammar: Both nouns are feminine and follow regular declension patterns, making them straightforward to use in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mixing translations: English learners often use "добавка" in technical contexts where "присадка" is more appropriate. For example, saying "добавка для топлива" (additive for fuel) sounds unnatural; the correct term is "присадка для топлива".
• Pronunciation mistake: Misplacing stress in "добавка" (e.g., stressing the first syllable as [ˈdobavkə]) can lead to misunderstandings. The correct stress is on the second syllable: [dɐˈbavkə].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, the term "добавка" often appears on food packaging under regulations for labeling additives (e.g., E-numbers). Awareness of food additives has grown, and the term may carry a neutral or slightly negative connotation depending on context, as some associate additives with unhealthy products.

Related Concepts:

• консервант (preservative)
• усилитель вкуса (flavor enhancer)
• стабилизатор (stabilizer)