Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Diagonal'

English Word: diagonal

Key Russian Translations:

• диагональ [dʲɪɐˈɡonəlʲ] - [Formal, Noun, Singular]
• диагональный [dʲɪɐɡɐˈnalʲnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like mathematics, design, or descriptions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

диагональ: [dʲɪɐˈɡonəlʲ]

Note on диагональ: Stress falls on the third syllable. The soft 'л' sound at the end might be challenging for non-native speakers.

диагональный: [dʲɪɐɡɐˈnalʲnɨj]

Note on диагональный: Stress on the third syllable as well. Pay attention to the adjectival ending which changes based on gender and case.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Geometry/Mathematics (Line connecting opposite corners)

Translation(s) & Context:

• диагональ - Refers to the line segment connecting non-adjacent vertices in a polygon or the main diagonal in a matrix.

Usage Examples:

• Диагональ квадрата делит его на два равных треугольника.

  The diagonal of a square divides it into two equal triangles.

• Найдите длину диагонали прямоугольника.

  Find the length of the diagonal of the rectangle.

• Диагональ матрицы содержит ключевые элементы.

  The diagonal of the matrix contains the key elements.

2. Descriptive (Slanting or oblique direction)

Translation(s) & Context:

• диагональный - Used as an adjective to describe something positioned or moving in a slanted or diagonal manner.

Usage Examples:

• Диагональные линии делают дизайн более динамичным.

  Diagonal lines make the design more dynamic.

• Он сделал диагональный разрез ткани.

  He made a diagonal cut on the fabric.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

диагональ (Noun, Feminine): Follows the standard feminine declension pattern in Russian.

диагональный (Adjective): Declines based on gender, number, and case, following standard Russian adjective patterns (e.g., диагональный, диагональная, диагональное for masculine, feminine, neuter in nominative singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for диагональ:

• косая линия (slanted line, less formal)

Note: "косая линия" is less precise and used in more general contexts, not strictly mathematical.

Antonyms for диагональ/диагональный:

• горизонталь (horizontal)
• вертикаль (vertical)

Related Phrases:

• главная диагональ - Main diagonal (used in mathematics for matrices).
• диагональная полоса - Diagonal stripe (common in design or fashion contexts).
• диагональный путь - Diagonal path (used metaphorically or literally for a slanted route).

Usage Notes:

• "Диагональ" is primarily used as a noun and is the direct equivalent of "diagonal" in geometric or mathematical contexts. It does not carry additional figurative meanings in Russian.
• "Диагональный" as an adjective is used to describe anything positioned or oriented diagonally. It is less common in everyday speech and more frequent in technical or descriptive writing.
• Choose between the noun and adjective based on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For instance, use "диагональ" when referring to the line itself and "диагональный" when describing a related quality or attribute.

Common Errors:

• Mixing noun and adjective forms: English speakers might mistakenly use "диагональ" (noun) as an adjective. Incorrect: "диагональ линия" (diagonal line). Correct: "диагональная линия".
• Declension errors: Failing to adjust "диагональ" or "диагональный" for case or gender. For example, saying "по диагональ" instead of the correct instrumental case "по диагонали".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, "диагональ" does not carry significant cultural connotations beyond its technical meaning. However, in design or art contexts, diagonal lines (диагональные линии) are often associated with dynamism and movement, similar to Western interpretations.

Related Concepts:

• прямая (straight line)
• угол (angle)
• геометрия (geometry)