Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cistern'

English Word: cistern

Key Russian Translations:

• цистерна [tsɪˈstɛrnə] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, engineering, or architectural contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate - Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and technical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

цистерна: [tsɪˈstɛrnə]

Note on цистерна: The stress is on the second syllable ("stɛr"). Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A reservoir or tank for storing liquids, such as water

Translation(s) & Context:

• цистерна - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as engineering, plumbing, or describing storage systems in vehicles or buildings.

Usage Examples:

• В подвале дома установлена большая цистерна для сбора дождевой воды.

  In the basement of the house, a large cistern is installed for collecting rainwater.

• Поезд был оборудован цистерной для топлива, чтобы обеспечить длительную поездку.

  The train was equipped with a cistern for fuel to ensure a long journey.

• Инженеры проверили цистерну на наличие утечек перед запуском системы.

  The engineers checked the cistern for leaks before starting the system.

• В сельской местности часто используют цистерны для хранения воды в засушливый период.

  In rural areas, cisterns are often used to store water during dry periods.

• Цистерна на фабрике была заполнена химическими веществами для производственного процесса.

  The cistern at the factory was filled with chemicals for the manufacturing process.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Цистерна" is a feminine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once basic declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • резервуар (rezervuar) - More general term for a reservoir; often used interchangeably in non-technical contexts.
  • бак (bak) - Informal synonym, typically for smaller containers like fuel tanks.
• Antonyms:
  • пустота (pustota) - Emptiness, implying the absence of contents.
  • слив (sliv) - Drain or outlet, contrasting with storage.

Related Phrases:

• водяная цистерна - A water cistern; used in contexts involving water storage or irrigation systems.
• топливный бак - Fuel tank; a common phrase in automotive or industrial settings, related to liquid storage.
• цистерна для химикатов - Chemical cistern; refers to containers for hazardous materials, emphasizing safety protocols.

Usage Notes:

"Цистерна" directly corresponds to the English "cistern" in technical and engineering contexts, but it's less common in everyday Russian speech. Use it in formal writing, such as reports or manuals, rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of declensions based on sentence structure; for example, in genitive case, it becomes "цистерны" to indicate possession. When choosing between synonyms like "резервуар" and "бак", opt for "цистерна" for larger, fixed storage units, while "бак" is better for portable ones. Always consider the context to avoid confusion with biological terms in medicine.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "цистерна" with "система" (system), as they sound similar. Incorrect: "Я установил новую систему для воды." (I installed a new system for water.) Correct: "Я установил новую цистерну для воды." Explanation: "Система" refers to a broader network or mechanism, not a specific storage tank, which can lead to miscommunication in technical discussions.

• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun properly, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я увидел цистерна." (I saw cistern.) Correct: "Я увидел цистерну." (Accusative case). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always adjust based on the preposition or verb.

• Mistake: Mispronouncing the word by stressing the wrong syllable. Incorrect Pronunciation: [ˈtsɪstɛrna]. Correct: [tsɪˈstɛrnə]. Explanation: This can make the word harder to understand, as stress affects meaning in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cisterns like "водяная цистерна" are often associated with rural or historical settings, such as in traditional dacha (country house) water systems. During the Soviet era, large cisterns were symbolic of industrial progress, appearing in literature and propaganda as emblems of modernization and resource management.

Related Concepts:

• труба (truba) - Pipe
• насос (nasos) - Pump
• резервуар (rezervuar) - Reservoir