Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ductile'

English Word: ductile

Key Russian Translations:

• пластичный /ˈplastʲɪtɕnɨj/ - [Formal, Technical, Adjective]
• ковкий /ˈkovkʲɪj/ - [Formal, Technical, Adjective, Used in metallurgy contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical and scientific discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of technical vocabulary and basic Russian adjective inflections. For 'пластичный', B2; for 'ковкий', also B2 due to specific usage in material science)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пластичный: /ˈplastʲɪtɕnɨj/

ковкий: /ˈkovkʲɪj/

Note on пластичный: The soft sign (ʲ) indicates palatalization, which can be challenging for English speakers; pronounce the 't' as softened, almost like 'ty'. Variations in stress may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Capable of being hammered, drawn out, or deformed without breaking, often referring to metals or materials.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пластичный - Used in general technical contexts, such as describing materials in engineering or physics.
• ковкий - Specifically for metals that can be forged or shaped, common in industrial or historical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот металл пластичный и легко поддается формованию.

  This metal is ductile and easily takes shape.

• В современной промышленности ковкий сталь используется для изготовления инструментов.

  In modern industry, ductile steel is used for making tools.

• Пластичные свойства алюминия делают его идеальным для авиастроения.

  The ductile properties of aluminum make it ideal for aircraft construction.

• Ковкий материал не ломается при сильном ударе, в отличие от хрупких сплавов.

  A ductile material does not break under strong impact, unlike brittle alloys.

• Инженеры тестируют пластичный полимер для новых конструкций мостов.

  Engineers are testing the ductile polymer for new bridge designs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'пластичный' and 'ковкий' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow standard patterns, but 'пластичный' is regular, while 'ковкий' may have slight variations in less formal contexts.

Note: These adjectives do not change in invariable forms if used as predicates, e.g., "Металл пластичен" (The metal is ductile).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гибкий (gibkiy) - More flexible connotation, often used interchangeably but implies bending without breaking.
  • эластичный (elasticheskiy) - Similar to 'elastic' in English, with a slight difference in implying recovery after deformation.
• Antonyms:
  • хрупкий (khrupkiy) - Brittle, opposite in material science contexts.
  • жесткий (zhestkiy) - Rigid or stiff, emphasizing lack of deformability.

Related Phrases:

• пластичная деформация - Plastic deformation; refers to permanent changes in shape without fracture.
• ковкий металл - Ductile metal; commonly used in discussions of forging and smithing.
• высокопластичный материал - Highly ductile material; emphasizes extreme flexibility in industrial applications.

Usage Notes:

'Пластичный' directly corresponds to 'ductile' in technical English contexts, but it can also mean 'plastic' in a broader sense, so clarify based on material science. 'Ковкий' is more specific to metals and historical contexts, like blacksmithing. Use these adjectives with agreement in gender, number, and case, as Russian requires. For example, choose 'пластичный' for general materials and 'ковкий' when focusing on forgeability. In formal writing, pair with nouns like 'металл' (metal) for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'пластичный' without proper inflection, e.g., saying "Этот пластичный" instead of "Этот пластичный металл". Correct: Always inflect to match the noun's gender and case. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with their nouns, unlike in English where 'ductile' remains unchanged.

• Error: Confusing 'пластичный' with 'пластиковый' (meaning 'plastic' as in the material). Correct: Use 'пластичный' for ductility; 'пластиковый' for synthetic plastics. Explanation: This mix-up can lead to misunderstandings in technical discussions.

• Error: Overusing 'ковкий' in non-metallurgy contexts. Correct: Reserve it for metal-specific scenarios; use 'пластичный' for general materials. Explanation: 'Ковкий' implies historical or artisanal forging, which may not apply broadly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and industry, terms like 'ковкий' evoke historical blacksmithing traditions, such as those in rural or Soviet-era manufacturing. This reflects Russia's emphasis on heavy industry and material innovation, where ductility was crucial for tools and weaponry in history.

Related Concepts:

• эластичный
• хрупкий
• прочный