Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Buoyancy'

English Word: Buoyancy

Key Russian Translations:

• плавучесть [plɐˈvut͡ɕɪstʲ] - [Formal, Scientific]
• плавность [ˈplavnəstʲ] - [Informal, Figurative]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "плавучесть"; B1 (Lower Intermediate) for "плавность"

Pronunciation (Russian):

плавучесть: [plɐˈvut͡ɕɪstʲ]

Note on плавучесть: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft affricate, similar to 'ch' in "church".

плавность: [ˈplavnəstʲ]

Note on плавность: Stress falls on the first syllable. The final "сть" is pronounced softly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Ability to Float (Physics, Literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• плавучесть - Used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the buoyant force or ability of an object to float in a liquid.

Usage Examples:

• Плавучесть корабля зависит от его конструкции.

  The buoyancy of the ship depends on its design.

• Плавучесть этого материала делает его идеальным для спасательных жилетов.

  The buoyancy of this material makes it ideal for life jackets.

• Мы изучили плавучесть различных объектов в воде.

  We studied the buoyancy of various objects in water.

2. Lightness or Cheerfulness (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• плавность - Used metaphorically to describe a sense of lightness, ease, or cheerfulness, often in emotional or behavioral contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В её движениях была какая-то плавность и лёгкость.

  There was a certain buoyancy and lightness in her movements.

• Его голос звучал с плавностью, которая успокаивала всех.

  His voice had a buoyancy that calmed everyone.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

плавучесть (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular
Nominative	плавучесть
Genitive	плавучести
Dative	плавучести
Accusative	плавучесть
Instrumental	плавучестью
Prepositional	о плавучести

Note: "плавучесть" is an uncountable noun and does not have plural forms.

плавность (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular
Nominative	плавность
Genitive	плавности
Dative	плавности
Accusative	плавность
Instrumental	плавностью
Prepositional	о плавности

Note: "плавность" is also an uncountable noun with no plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for плавучесть:

• плавучесть
• плавкость (less common, technical)

Note: "плавкость" is more specific to materials’ ability to float or melt and is rarely used in everyday speech.

Antonyms for плавучесть:

• тяжесть (heaviness)

Synonyms for плавность:

• лёгкость (lightness)
• грациозность (gracefulness)

Related Phrases:

• обеспечить плавучесть - To ensure buoyancy (e.g., of a vessel or object).
• плавность движений - Buoyancy of movements (figurative, describing grace or ease).
• испытывать плавучесть - To test buoyancy (technical context).

Usage Notes:

• "плавучесть" is the primary term for the physical concept of buoyancy and is used in formal, scientific, or technical contexts. It directly corresponds to the English term in physics.
• "плавность" is used in a figurative sense to describe lightness or smoothness, often related to movement or behavior. It is less common and should not be used for literal buoyancy.
• Be mindful of context when choosing between these translations, as they are not interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "плавность" to describe the physical buoyancy of an object.
  Incorrect: Плавность лодки помогла ей остаться на воде.
  Correct: Плавучесть лодки помогла ей остаться на воде.
  Explanation: "плавность" refers to smoothness or grace, not the physical property of floating.
• Error: Mispronouncing "плавучесть" by stressing the wrong syllable.
  Incorrect: [ˈplɐvut͡ɕɪstʲ] (stress on first syllable).
  Correct: [plɐˈvut͡ɕɪstʲ] (stress on second syllable).
  Explanation: Stress in Russian nouns often shifts, but here it must be on "ву".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "плавучесть" is often discussed in relation to naval history and engineering, reflecting Russia’s historical emphasis on shipbuilding and maritime exploration. The figurative use of "плавность" may appear in poetry or literature to evoke a sense of elegance or emotional lightness.

Related Concepts:

• плотность (density)
• вес (weight)
• гравитация (gravity)