Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'breakthrough'

English Word: breakthrough

Key Russian Translations:

• прорыв [prɐˈrɨf] - [Formal, Often used in scientific or strategic contexts]
• достижение [dəstʲɪˈʐenʲɪjə] - [Neutral, Used for achievements or progress]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "прорыв"; A2 (Elementary) for "достижение"

Pronunciation (Russian):

прорыв: [prɐˈrɨf]

Note on прорыв: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ы' sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, closed 'i'.

достижение: [dəstʲɪˈʐenʲɪjə]

Note on достижение: Stress on the third syllable. The soft 'ж' sound is palatalized, similar to 'zh' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A significant advance or discovery (e.g., in science or technology)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прорыв - Often used for groundbreaking innovations or major progress in a field.
• достижение - Refers more generally to an achievement or success, less dramatic than "прорыв".

Usage Examples:

• Этот научный прорыв изменил медицину.

  This scientific breakthrough changed medicine.

• Его достижение в области физики было признано во всём мире.

  His breakthrough in physics was recognized worldwide.

• Прорыв в разработке вакцины спас миллионы жизней.

  The breakthrough in vaccine development saved millions of lives.

• Мы отмечаем это достижение как важный шаг вперёд.

  We celebrate this breakthrough as an important step forward.

• После долгих лет исследований случился настоящий прорыв.

  After years of research, a real breakthrough happened.

2. A sudden advance through obstacles (e.g., military or metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прорыв - Commonly used in military contexts or to describe overcoming barriers.

Usage Examples:

• Армия совершила прорыв через линию обороны.

  The army made a breakthrough through the defense line.

• Его речь стала прорывом в переговорах.

  His speech was a breakthrough in the negotiations.

• Прорыв в отношениях между странами был неожиданным.

  The breakthrough in relations between the countries was unexpected.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

прорыв (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate)

достижение (Noun, Neuter, Inanimate)

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for прорыв:

• успех
• продвижение

Note: "успех" is more general and means "success", while "продвижение" often implies forward movement or promotion.

Synonyms for достижение:

• результат
• успех

Antonyms for прорыв:

• застой
• регресс

Related Phrases:

• научный прорыв - Scientific breakthrough
• достичь прорыва - To achieve a breakthrough
• значительное достижение - Significant achievement

Usage Notes:

• "прорыв" often carries a stronger, more dramatic connotation than "достижение", implying a sudden or significant change.
• Use "прорыв" in contexts involving overcoming barriers (physical or metaphorical), such as military advances or major innovations.
• "достижение" is more neutral and can refer to personal or collective achievements, often less intense than "прорыв".

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "прорыв" for minor achievements. English speakers may overuse "прорыв" due to its similarity to "breakthrough".

Incorrect: Это маленький прорыв в моём проекте. (This is a small breakthrough in my project.)

Correct: Это маленькое достижение в моём проекте. (This is a small achievement in my project.)

Explanation: "прорыв" implies a major or dramatic change, so for small progress, "достижение" is more appropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the term "прорыв" is often associated with historical military victories or Soviet-era scientific advancements, carrying a sense of national pride. It may evoke stronger emotional resonance in such contexts compared to English "breakthrough".

Related Concepts:

• инновация (innovation)
• открытие (discovery)
• прогресс (progress)