Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'airplane'

English Word: airplane

Key Russian Translations:

• самолёт [səmɐˈlʲɵt] - [Neutral; commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is frequently used in modern Russian, especially in travel, news, and casual conversations.)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner; suitable for elementary learners as it is a basic noun with straightforward usage, though inflection requires basic grammar knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

самолёт: [səmɐˈlʲɵt]

Note on самолёт: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lʲɵt"). Pay attention to the soft "l" sound, which is common in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation can occur regionally, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The vehicle used for air travel

Translation(s) & Context:

• самолёт - Used in general contexts for commercial or private aircraft, such as in conversations about travel or aviation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Я лечу в Москву на самолёте завтра утром.

  English: I'm flying to Moscow on an airplane tomorrow morning.

• Русский: Самолёт приземлился с опозданием из-за плохой погоды.

  English: The airplane landed late due to bad weather.

• Русский: В музее есть экспонаты старых самолётов из Второй мировой войны.

  English: The museum has exhibits of old airplanes from World War II.

• Русский: Мы всегда предпочитаем самолёт для дальних поездок, чтобы сэкономить время.

  English: We always prefer the airplane for long trips to save time.

• Русский: Самолёт Boeing 747 считается одним из самых больших в мире.

  English: The Boeing 747 airplane is considered one of the largest in the world.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Самолёт" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular noun inflection patterns for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • аэроплан - Less common, often used in historical or formal contexts to refer to early aircraft designs.
  • воздушный корабль - More poetic or outdated term, implying a large aircraft.
• Antonyms:
  • поезд - Refers to a train, contrasting with air travel in terms of speed and mode.
  • автомобиль - Means car, highlighting ground-based transportation.

Related Phrases:

• Лететь на самолёте - To fly on an airplane; commonly used for describing air travel experiences.
• Международный самолёт - International airplane; refers to flights crossing borders.
• Самолёт взлетает - The airplane is taking off; a phrase used in aviation contexts.
• Покупка билета на самолёт - Buying a ticket for an airplane; related to travel planning.

Usage Notes:

"Самолёт" directly corresponds to "airplane" in English and is the most neutral and common term in Russian. It is used across various contexts, from formal (e.g., aviation reports) to informal (e.g., casual conversations). Be mindful of its masculine gender, which affects adjective agreements and verb conjugations. For instance, when using with verbs like "лететь" (to fly), ensure subject-verb agreement. If multiple translations exist, choose "самолёт" for modern usage; "аэроплан" is better for historical discussions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "самолёт" with "вертолёт" (helicopter) due to similar contexts in air travel. Incorrect: "Я лечу на вертолёте в город" (when meaning airplane).

  Correct: "Я лечу на самолёте в город." Explanation: "Вертолёт" implies rotary-wing aircraft, while "самолёт" is for fixed-wing. This mix-up often occurs among beginners unfamiliar with specific vehicle types.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative "самолёт" in genitive contexts like "крыло самолёт" instead of "крыло самолёта" (wing of the airplane).

  Correct: "Крыло самолёта." Explanation: Always apply the appropriate case; genitive requires the "-a" ending for singular masculine nouns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, airplanes hold symbolic importance due to Russia's aviation history, including figures like Igor Sikorsky and the role of aircraft in World War II. Terms like "самолёт" often evoke national pride in aerospace achievements, such as those of Soviet-era engineers. This can add emotional weight in conversations about travel or history.

Related Concepts:

• аэропорт (airport)
• пилот (pilot)
• авиакомпания (airline company)
• полёт (flight)