Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Ballast'

English Word: ballast

Key Russian Translations:

• балласт [ˈbalːəst] - [Neutral, Technical]
• груз [ɡrus] - [Neutral, General]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "балласт"; A2 (Elementary) for "груз"

Pronunciation (Russian):

балласт: [ˈbalːəst]

Note on балласт: Stress falls on the first syllable. The double "л" is pronounced with a slightly prolonged sound.

груз: [ɡrus]

Note on груз: Stress on the single syllable. Ensure a clear, hard "г" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Material used to stabilize (e.g., in ships, balloons)

Translation(s) & Context:

• балласт - Used in technical contexts, such as ships or construction.

Usage Examples:

• Корабль нуждается в балласте для устойчивости.

  The ship needs ballast for stability.

• Балласт был сброшен, чтобы поднять воздушный шар.

  The ballast was dropped to lift the hot air balloon.

• Железнодорожные пути укреплены балластом.

  The railway tracks are stabilized with ballast.

2. Something heavy or burdensome (figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• груз - Used metaphorically for emotional or psychological burden.
• балласт - Occasionally used in a figurative sense for unnecessary burden.

Usage Examples:

• Этот человек стал для меня настоящим грузом.

  This person has become a real burden to me.

• Нам нужно избавиться от балласта в виде старых идей.

  We need to get rid of the ballast of old ideas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

балласт (noun, masculine, inanimate):

груз (noun, masculine, inanimate): Follows similar declension patterns for masculine nouns. Notable irregularity: Genitive plural is "грузов".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for балласт:

• груз (in some contexts)
• отягощение (figurative, burden)

Note: "груз" is more general, while "балласт" often implies something specifically for stabilization or unnecessary weight.

Antonyms for балласт:

• лёгкость (lightness, in figurative sense)

Related Phrases:

• сбрасывать балласт - to shed ballast (literal or figurative, meaning to get rid of unnecessary weight or burden)
• груз ответственности - burden of responsibility (using "груз" in a metaphorical sense)

Usage Notes:

• "балласт" is the primary term for technical contexts like ships, railways, or balloons. It is less common in everyday speech unless discussing specific industries.
• "груз" is a broader term meaning "load" or "burden" and can be used both literally and figuratively. It is more versatile but less precise for technical ballast.
• Be mindful of context when choosing between the two translations. For metaphorical uses, "груз" is generally preferred.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "балласт" to mean any kind of burden or load in casual speech. Wrong: "Этот груз на сердце как балласт." Correct: "Этот груз на сердце."
• Explanation: "балласт" is rarely used for emotional burdens; "груз" is the natural choice in such contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "груз" often carries a deeper emotional or philosophical weight, especially in literature and poetry, reflecting the cultural emphasis on enduring personal struggles or burdens.

Related Concepts:

• вес (weight)
• нагрузка (load, workload)
• тяжесть (heaviness, burden)