Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Capsule'

English Word: Capsule

Key Russian Translations:

• капсула [ˈkapsulə] - [General, Neutral]
• таблетка [tɐˈblʲetkə] - [Informal, Often for Medicine]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for "капсула"); B1 (Intermediate for "таблетка")

Pronunciation (Russian):

капсула: [ˈkapsulə]

Note on капсула: Stress falls on the first syllable, which is typical for borrowed words in Russian.

таблетка: [tɐˈblʲetkə]

Note on таблетка: The stress is on the second syllable; the "л" is palatalized, a common feature in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Small Container (General or Technical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• капсула - Used for space capsules, time capsules, or small containers in technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Космическая капсула успешно приземлилась.

  The space capsule successfully landed.

• Мы закопали капсулу времени в парке.

  We buried a time capsule in the park.

• Эта капсула содержит важные документы.

  This capsule contains important documents.

2. A Pill or Medicine Enclosure

Translation(s) & Context:

• капсула - Formal or medical term for a gelatin capsule containing medicine.
• таблетка - Informal, often used colloquially for any pill or tablet, including capsules.

Usage Examples:

• Врач прописал мне капсулы от головной боли.

  The doctor prescribed me capsules for a headache.

• Ты принял таблетку утром?

  Did you take the pill this morning?

• Эти капсулы нужно принимать с водой.

  These capsules should be taken with water.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

капсула (Noun, Feminine): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian (1st declension).

таблетка (Noun, Feminine): Also follows the standard feminine declension pattern (1st declension), with similar endings to "капсула."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for капсула:

• контейнер (container, broader term)
• оболочка (shell, in certain contexts)

Note: "контейнер" is more general and less specific to small enclosures like capsules.

Synonyms for таблетка:

• пилюля (pill, old-fashioned or colloquial)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for either term in most contexts.

Related Phrases:

• космическая капсула - Space capsule (used in aerospace contexts).
• капсула времени - Time capsule (a symbolic or historical container).
• глотать таблетку - To swallow a pill (common expression for taking medicine).

Usage Notes:

• "капсула" is the more precise and formal translation for "capsule" in most contexts, especially for technical or scientific uses (e.g., space capsule, time capsule).
• "таблетка" is often used colloquially to refer to any small medicinal pill or tablet, even if it's technically a capsule. It is less formal and more common in everyday speech.
• Be mindful of the context: using "таблетка" in a technical context (like space exploration) would be incorrect.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "таблетка" to refer to a space capsule.
  Incorrect: Космическая таблетка.
  Correct: Космическая капсула.
  Explanation: "таблетка" is associated with medicine, not technical objects.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the wrong syllable in "капсула").
  Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial; always stress the first syllable for "капсула."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "капсула времени" (time capsule) is a popular concept often associated with Soviet-era traditions, where schoolchildren or communities buried capsules with messages for future generations. This term may evoke nostalgic or historical connotations for Russian speakers.

Related Concepts:

• контейнер (container)
• оболочка (shell or casing)
• лекарство (medicine)