Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Bulk'

English Word: Bulk

Key Russian Translations:

• масса [ˈmasːə] - [General, Often for physical mass or quantity]
• объём [ɐbˈjɵm] - [General, Refers to volume or size]
• основная часть [ɐsˈnovnəjə ˈt͡ɕæsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Refers to the main part or majority]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like trade, logistics, or descriptions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "масса" and "объём"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "основная часть" due to its formal tone and compound structure

Pronunciation (Russian):

масса: [ˈmasːə]

Note on масса: Stress falls on the first syllable. The double "с" slightly elongates the sound.

объём: [ɐbˈjɵm]

Note on объём: The stress is on the second syllable, and the "ё" is pronounced as a distinct "yo" sound.

основная часть: [ɐsˈnovnəjə ˈt͡ɕæsʲtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Large Quantity or Mass (Physical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• масса - Used for describing a large physical mass or quantity, often in trade or industry (e.g., bulk goods).
• объём - Refers to volume or size, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мы купили массу товаров оптом.

  We bought a bulk of goods wholesale.

• Этот контейнер имеет большой объём.

  This container has a large bulk (volume).

• Масса груза превышает допустимый предел.

  The bulk of the cargo exceeds the allowable limit.

2. Main Part or Majority (Abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• основная часть - Used to describe the main or largest part of something abstract, often in formal or written contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Основная часть работы уже выполнена.

  The bulk of the work has already been completed.

• Основная часть населения поддерживает реформы.

  The bulk of the population supports the reforms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

масса (Noun, Feminine): Declines according to the 1st declension pattern in Russian.

объём (Noun, Masculine): Follows the 2nd declension pattern.

основная часть (Noun Phrase, Feminine): Both words decline; "основная" agrees with "часть" in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for масса:

• груда
• куча

Note: "груда" and "куча" are more informal and often imply a pile or heap, unlike the neutral "масса."

Antonyms for масса:

• часть
• кусочек

Related Phrases:

• масса тела - Body mass (used in scientific or medical contexts)
• большой объём работы - A large bulk of work (common in professional settings)
• основная часть времени - The bulk of the time (formal expression)

Usage Notes:

• "Масса" is often used for physical bulk, especially in industrial or trade contexts, while "объём" emphasizes size or capacity.
• "Основная часть" is more formal and typically used for abstract concepts like "the bulk of the argument" or "the bulk of the population."
• Be cautious with tone: using "масса" in a formal written context for abstract ideas might sound inappropriate; prefer "основная часть."

Common Errors:

1. Mixing "масса" and "объём" without context awareness: English learners often use "масса" for volume, but "объём" is more accurate when discussing spatial capacity (e.g., "объём бака" for "tank volume").

Example of Error: *Масса бака составляет 50 литров.* (Incorrect)

Correct Usage: Объём бака составляет 50 литров. (The volume of the tank is 50 liters.)

2. Overusing "основная часть" in casual speech: This phrase sounds stiff in informal settings; native speakers might simply say "большая часть" instead.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the word "масса" can also refer to "masses" as in "the people" (e.g., "народные массы" - the masses of the people), a usage tied to Soviet-era rhetoric. English speakers should be aware of this connotation when encountering the word in historical or political texts.

Related Concepts:

• вес (weight)
• размер (size)
• количество (quantity)