Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cobalt'

English Word: cobalt

Key Russian Translations:

• кобальт [kɐˈbalʲtʲ] - [Formal, Scientific; Used in educational, chemical, and technical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is primarily used in specialized fields like chemistry and metallurgy, not in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and basic Russian noun declensions, as per CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кобальт: [kɐˈbalʲtʲ]

Note on кобальт: The stress falls on the second syllable. The 'б' is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop, and the final 'т' is softened due to palatalization, which is common in Russian. Pronunciation may vary slightly by dialect, but this is the standard Moscow variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A chemical element (atomic number 27), a hard, lustrous, silver-gray metal used in alloys and pigments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кобальт - Typically used in formal scientific, educational, or industrial contexts, such as describing elements in chemistry textbooks or manufacturing discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Кобальт часто используется в производстве аккумуляторов из-за своей устойчивости.

  Cobalt is often used in battery production due to its durability.

• В природе кобальт встречается в виде минералов, таких как кобальтит.

  In nature, cobalt occurs in minerals such as cobaltite.

• Химические свойства кобальта делают его важным для окрашивания стекла в синий цвет.

  The chemical properties of cobalt make it important for coloring glass blue.

• Кобальт в сплавах повышает прочность материалов в авиационной промышленности.

  Cobalt in alloys increases the strength of materials in the aviation industry.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кобальт" is a masculine noun in Russian (despite being a chemical element, it follows the masculine declension pattern). It undergoes regular declensions based on cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used, as "кобальт" typically refers to the element in singular contexts. It follows standard second-declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None direct, but related terms include "кобальтовый" (cobalt-based or cobalt-containing), which is an adjective form. "Кобальтовый" can be used interchangeably in contexts like "кобальтовые соединения" (cobalt compounds) for emphasis on composition.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "кобальт" is a specific element and does not have direct opposites in Russian vocabulary.

Related Phrases:

• Кобальтовые сплавы - Common alloys containing cobalt; used in high-strength applications like jet engines.
• Кобальт в витаминах - Refers to cobalt's role in vitamin B12; often discussed in nutritional or medical contexts.
• Добыча кобальта - Mining of cobalt; a phrase related to resource extraction and environmental issues.

Usage Notes:

"Кобальт" is a direct loanword from English/German into Russian, maintaining a one-to-one correspondence with the English "cobalt" in scientific contexts. It is always used in formal settings, such as academic papers or technical discussions, and should be treated as a masculine noun for grammatical agreement (e.g., "этот кобальт" for "this cobalt"). When choosing translations, stick with "кобальт" for precision; avoid variations unless specifying compounds. Be mindful of context: in everyday Russian, it might be explained rather than used directly due to its specialized nature.

Common Errors:

• Error: Treating "кобальт" as a neuter noun, leading to incorrect declensions (e.g., using genitive as "кобальта" but then mistakenly saying "в кобальте" as if it were neuter).
  Correct: Remember it's masculine; proper genitive is "кобальта," and prepositional is "в кобальте." Explanation: Russian nouns have fixed genders, and misassigning can alter sentence structure.
• Error: Pronouncing it as [koˈbalt] without palatalization, making it sound like the English version.
  Correct: Use [kɐˈbalʲtʲ] with proper softening. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian palatalization, which affects clarity in spoken language.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cobalt is notably linked to art and history through its use in pigments like cobalt blue, which was popular in Russian icon painting and ceramics during the 19th century. This reflects Russia's industrial heritage and contributions to chemistry, as cobalt mining in regions like the Urals played a role in national development. Understanding this can deepen appreciation for how scientific terms intersect with cultural artifacts.

Related Concepts:

• никель (nickel)
• железо (iron)
• медь (copper)
• сплавы (alloys)