Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Asphalt'

English Word: Asphalt

Key Russian Translations:

• асфальт [ɐsˈfalt] - [Formal, Commonly Used]
• асфальтовое покрытие [ɐsˌfaltəvəjə pɐˈkrɨtʲɪjə] - [Formal, Technical, Refers to Asphalt Covering]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday and technical contexts)

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "асфальт"; B1 for "асфальтовое покрытие" due to compound structure)

Pronunciation (Russian):

асфальт: [ɐsˈfalt]

Note on асфальт: Stress falls on the second syllable. The initial 'а' is pronounced as a reduced vowel sound.

асфальтовое покрытие: [ɐsˌfaltəvəjə pɐˈkrɨtʲɪjə]

Note on асфальтовое покрытие: Stress falls on the second syllable of "асфальтовое" and the second syllable of "покрытие".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Asphalt as a Material (for Roads, Pavements)

Translation(s) & Context:

• асфальт - General term for asphalt as a material used in road construction.
• асфальтовое покрытие - Specifically refers to the asphalt covering or layer on roads or surfaces.

Usage Examples:

• Дорогу покрыли новым асфальтом.

  The road was covered with new asphalt.

• Асфальт на этой улице уже старый и потрескался.

  The asphalt on this street is already old and cracked.

• Асфальтовое покрытие выдерживает большие нагрузки.

  The asphalt covering withstands heavy loads.

• Рабочие укладывают асфальт даже в дождь.

  The workers are laying asphalt even in the rain.

• Качество асфальтового покрытия здесь оставляет желать лучшего.

  The quality of the asphalt covering here leaves much to be desired.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

асфальт (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Note: "асфальт" is typically used in the singular form; plural usage is rare and context-specific (e.g., referring to different types of asphalt).

асфальтовое покрытие (Compound Noun Phrase, Neuter for "покрытие") follows standard declension for "покрытие" while "асфальтовое" agrees in case, number, and gender.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for асфальт:

• битум (refers to the raw material, more technical)
• дорожное покрытие (broader term for road surface)

Note: "битум" is more specific to the raw bitumen substance, while "дорожное покрытие" is a broader term including asphalt and other materials.

Antonyms for асфальт:

• грунт (unpaved ground or soil)
• гравий (gravel)

Related Phrases:

• укладывать асфальт - To lay asphalt (used in the context of road construction).
• асфальтовая дорога - Asphalt road (common term for paved roads).
• ремонт асфальта - Asphalt repair (refers to fixing damaged roads).

Usage Notes:

• "асфальт" is the most common and versatile term for asphalt in Russian, used in both everyday speech and technical contexts.
• "асфальтовое покрытие" is more formal and specific, often used in technical or official discussions about road surfaces.
• Be mindful of context: "асфальт" can refer to the material itself, while "асфальтовое покрытие" emphasizes the finished layer or surface.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "асфальт" in plural form ("асфальты") when referring to a single road surface.
  Incorrect: На дороге много асфальтов.
  Correct: На дороге много трещин в асфальте.
  Explanation: "асфальт" is almost always singular when referring to the material or a single surface.
• Error: Confusing "асфальт" with "битум" in non-technical contexts.
  Incorrect: Дорогу покрыли битумом.
  Correct: Дорогу покрыли асфальтом.
  Explanation: "битум" refers to raw bitumen, not the finished asphalt product used on roads.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the quality of asphalt roads is often a topic of discussion, especially in rural areas or after harsh winters when roads frequently develop potholes. The term "асфальт" may carry connotations of modernity or infrastructure development in certain contexts.

Related Concepts:

• дорога (road)
• тротуар (sidewalk)
• ремонт дорог (road repair)