Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'artifact'

English Word: artifact

Key Russian Translations:

• артефакт [ɐrtʲɪˈfakt] - [Formal, General Use]
• реликвия [rʲɪˈlʲikvʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often Historical or Cultural]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "артефакт"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "реликвия"

Pronunciation (Russian):

артефакт: [ɐrtʲɪˈfakt]

Note on артефакт: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled slightly, typical in Russian pronunciation.

реликвия: [rʲɪˈlʲikvʲɪjə]

Note on реликвия: Stress on the second syllable. The soft "л" (palatalized) may be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Object made by humans, often of historical or cultural significance

Translation(s) & Context:

• артефакт - Commonly used in academic, archaeological, or scientific contexts to refer to any man-made object.
• реликвия - Used specifically for objects of historical, cultural, or personal value, often with a sense of reverence.

Usage Examples:

• Археологи нашли древний артефакт в пустыне.

  Archaeologists found an ancient artifact in the desert.

• Этот артефакт датируется третьим веком до нашей эры.

  This artifact dates back to the third century BCE.

• Эта реликвия передаётся в нашей семье из поколения в поколение.

  This relic has been passed down in our family for generations.

• Музей хранит реликвии, связанные с войной.

  The museum preserves relics related to the war.

• Артефакты из раскопок помогают понять древнюю культуру.

  Artifacts from excavations help understand ancient culture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

артефакт (Masculine Noun):

реликвия (Feminine Noun):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for артефакт:

• предмет (object - more general)
• находка (find - often in archaeology)

Synonyms for реликвия:

• сокровище (treasure - with a sense of value)
• память (memory - in a personal context)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept of "artifact" does not have a clear opposite in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• древний артефакт - ancient artifact (used in historical or archaeological contexts)
• семейная реликвия - family relic (refers to a cherished family heirloom)
• культурный артефакт - cultural artifact (used in discussions of cultural heritage)

Usage Notes:

• "артефакт" is the more neutral and widely used term for any man-made object, especially in scientific or academic contexts. It directly corresponds to the English "artifact."
• "реликвия" carries a connotation of historical, cultural, or personal significance and is often used for objects regarded as sacred or highly valued. It is closer to "relic" in English.
• Choose "артефакт" when discussing objects in a general or technical sense, and "реликвия" when emphasizing emotional or cultural importance.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "реликвия" for any artifact, even those without cultural or historical significance.
  Incorrect: Этот простой инструмент - реликвия. (This simple tool is a relic.)
  Correct: Этот простой инструмент - артефакт. (This simple tool is an artifact.)
  Explanation: "реликвия" implies a deeper value, so it should not be used for mundane objects.
• Error: Misusing grammatical cases, especially with "реликвия," due to its feminine form.
  Incorrect: Я увидел реликвия в музее. (I saw relic in the museum.)
  Correct: Я увидел реликвию в музее. (I saw a relic in the museum.)
  Explanation: "реликвия" requires the accusative case "реликвию" after verbs like "увидеть."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "реликвия" often evokes a strong sense of history or tradition, especially in the context of family heirlooms or religious artifacts. It is common for Russians to preserve such items with great care, reflecting a deep respect for ancestry and heritage. The term "артефакт," however, is more modern and often associated with scientific discovery or archaeology.

Related Concepts:

• история (history)
• культура (culture)
• археология (archaeology)