Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'discontinuity'

English Word: discontinuity

Key Russian Translations:

• разрыв [rɐˈzryf] - [Formal, Technical]
• прерывность [prʲɪˈrʲivnəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, General]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in technical, scientific, and everyday discussions about interruptions or breaks, but not as frequent in casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and technical vocabulary. For 'разрыв', it may be B1 if in basic contexts; for 'прерывность', it leans towards B2 due to its abstract nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

разрыв: [rɐˈzryf]

Note on разрыв: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound can be tricky for English speakers, as it's a back vowel not found in English. Pronounce it with a soft 'r' at the beginning.

прерывность: [prʲɪˈrʲivnəsʲtʲ]

Note on прерывность: This word has palatalized consonants ('рʲ' and 'сʲ'), which soften the preceding sounds; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A break, interruption, or lack of continuity, often in a physical, mathematical, or abstract sense (e.g., in physics or daily life).

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'разрыв' - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing a break in a signal or relationship; common in scientific writing.
• 'прерывность' - Applied in general or informal settings to denote irregularity or discontinuity in processes or sequences.

Usage Examples:

• В математике разрыв функции может привести к ошибкам в расчётах.

  In mathematics, the discontinuity of a function can lead to errors in calculations.

• Из-за прерывности сигнала мы потеряли связь с базой.

  Due to the discontinuity of the signal, we lost connection with the base.

• Разрыв в переговорах был вызван разногласиями сторон.

  The discontinuity in negotiations was caused by disagreements between the parties.

• Прерывность в её повествовании сделала историю менее увлекательной.

  The discontinuity in her storytelling made the story less engaging.

• В физических экспериментах разрыв цепи часто используется для тестирования.

  In physical experiments, the discontinuity of the circuit is often used for testing.

Meaning 2: A gap or disruption in continuity, such as in time, space, or relationships.

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'разрыв' - Particularly in interpersonal or temporal contexts, e.g., a break in friendship or timeline.
• 'прерывность' - More abstract, used for ongoing processes like workflow interruptions.

Usage Examples:

• Разрыв в их дружбе произошёл из-за недопонимания.

  The discontinuity in their friendship occurred due to a misunderstanding.

• Прерывность в поставках товаров сказывается на бизнесе.

  The discontinuity in goods supplies is affecting the business.

• Этот разрыв во времени сделал путешествие ещё более интересным.

  This discontinuity in time made the journey even more interesting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'разрыв' and 'прерывность' are nouns in Russian. Russian nouns inflect based on case, number, and gender. 'Разрыв' is a masculine noun (masc., singular), while 'прерывность' is a feminine noun (fem., singular). They follow standard patterns but have irregularities in certain cases.

Note: These words do not have irregular inflections but follow first-declension patterns for masculine and feminine nouns. Always adjust based on sentence context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прерывание (prevyvanie) - Similar to 'interruption', often used interchangeably in non-technical contexts.
  • разлад (razlad) - Implies a more emotional or relational break, with a nuance of discord.
• Antonyms:
  • непрерывность (neprevyvnost') - Directly opposite, meaning 'continuity'.
  • связность (svyaznost') - Meaning 'connectedness', used in contexts like networks or narratives.

Related Phrases:

• Разрыв связи - A break in connection; used in communication or relationships.
• Прерывность процесса - Discontinuity in a process; common in manufacturing or workflows.
• Вызвать разрыв - To cause a discontinuity; implies initiating an interruption.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'разрыв' is often preferred for concrete or physical discontinuities (e.g., in math or engineering), while 'прерывность' suits abstract or ongoing states. English speakers should note that Russian requires case agreement, so 'разрыв' changes form based on its role in the sentence (e.g., 'в разрыве' for 'in the discontinuity'). Choose 'разрыв' for formal writing and 'прерывность' for everyday speech. Be cautious with context: in interpersonal scenarios, 'разрыв' can imply a severe break, like a divorce.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'разрыв' incorrectly in plural forms, e.g., saying 'разрывы' when a singular is needed. Correct: In sentences like "This discontinuity affects the system," use 'разрыв' in the appropriate case, e.g., 'Этот разрыв влияет на систему.' Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, number, and gender with their modifiers.

• Error: Confusing 'разрыв' with 'прерывность' in technical contexts, leading to misuse like saying 'прерывность функции' instead of 'разрыв функции.' Correct: 'Разрыв функции' is standard in math; 'прерывность' is better for processes. Explanation: These words have subtle differences; 'разрыв' is more event-based, while 'прерывность' is state-based.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'разрыв' can carry emotional weight, often associated with historical events like the 'разрыв' in diplomatic relations during the Cold War, symbolizing irreversible breaks. This reflects Russia's emphasis on resilience and continuity in narratives, where discontinuities are seen as disruptions to stability.

Related Concepts:

• непрерывность
• прерывание
• связь