Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'aqueduct'

English Word: aqueduct

Key Russian Translations:

• акведук /ɐk.vʲɪˈduk/ - [Formal; Used in historical, architectural, or engineering contexts]
• водовод /vɐ.dɐˈvot/ - [Informal; Less common, typically for modern water conduits]

Frequency: Low (This term is not frequently used in everyday Russian conversation; it appears more in specialized texts like history, engineering, or tourism.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1/B2 on CEFR scale; Requires familiarity with borrowed words and basic noun inflections. For 'акведук', it is straightforward; for 'водовод', it may vary slightly due to common usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

акведук: /ɐk.vʲɪˈduk/

водовод: /vɐ.dɐˈvot/

Note on акведук: The stress falls on the third syllable ('duk'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'k' sound. Pronounce it with a soft 'v' in the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A man-made channel or structure for conveying water, often over long distances.

Translation(s) & Context:

• акведук - Used in formal, historical, or technical contexts, such as describing ancient Roman-style water systems in Russia or modern engineering.
• водовод - Applied in more everyday or informal settings, like municipal water systems, but less precise for historical references.

Usage Examples:

• В Риме был построен огромный акведук для подачи воды в город.

  In Rome, a huge aqueduct was built to supply water to the city.

• Этот акведук, построенный в XIX веке, до сих пор функционирует в сельской местности.

  This aqueduct, built in the 19th century, still functions in rural areas.

• Инженеры разрабатывают новый водовод для ирригации полей.

  Engineers are developing a new aqueduct for irrigating the fields.

• Акведук в Крыму является популярным туристическим объектом.

  The aqueduct in Crimea is a popular tourist attraction.

• Без акведука древние города не смогли бы развиваться так быстро.

  Without the aqueduct, ancient cities wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly.

Secondary Meaning: Metaphorical or extended use, e.g., in literature for a flow of ideas or resources.

Translation(s) & Context:

• акведук - Rarely used metaphorically, in poetic or philosophical contexts to describe a "flow" of knowledge or culture.

Usage Examples:

• Его речи были как акведук, несущий свежие идеи в умы слушателей.

  His speeches were like an aqueduct, carrying fresh ideas into the minds of listeners.

• В этой книге акведук символизирует непрерывный поток истории.

  In this book, the aqueduct symbolizes the continuous flow of history.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Акведук' is a masculine noun (from Latin origin) that follows the standard third declension pattern in Russian. It has regular inflections for cases and numbers. 'Водовод' is also a masculine noun with similar patterns but can vary slightly in informal use.

Note: These words do not change for gender but follow standard masculine noun rules. They are invariant in terms of verb agreement when used as subjects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • водопровод (more general for water pipes; often used interchangeably in modern contexts)
  • канал (channel; implies a broader waterway)
• Antonyms:
  • препятствие (obstacle; as it blocks flow rather than facilitates it)

Related Phrases:

• Древний акведук - Ancient aqueduct; Refers to historical structures like those in Roman or Byzantine times.
• Современный водовод - Modern aqueduct; Used for engineered water systems in urban planning.
• Акведук для ирригации - Aqueduct for irrigation; Common in agricultural contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'акведук' directly corresponds to the English 'aqueduct' in historical and architectural contexts, while 'водовод' is better for technical or everyday water conveyance. Always consider the formality: 'акведук' is preferred in written or academic Russian. Be mindful of case inflections when using in sentences, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions (e.g., 'в акведуке' for 'in the aqueduct'). If multiple translations apply, choose based on context—'водовод' for modern infrastructure and 'акведук' for antiquity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'акведук' interchangeably with 'водопровод' without context. Correct: 'Водовод' is more appropriate for modern pipes, as 'водопровод' specifically means a plumbing system. Example of error: "Я строю акведук в доме" (incorrect for home plumbing). Correct: "Я строю водовод в доме."

• Error: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., saying "в акведук" instead of "в акведуке". Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so always adjust for grammar to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'акведук' often evokes Roman engineering influences in Russian culture, as seen in historical sites like those in Crimea or the Caucasus, which were inspired by ancient aqueducts. In Russian literature and history, it symbolizes civilization and resource management, reflecting Russia's own imperial expansions and water infrastructure developments in the 19th century.

Related Concepts:

• канал
• ирригация
• водохранилище