Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'earthquake'

English Word: earthquake

Key Russian Translations:

• землетрясение [zʲɪm.lʲɪ.trʲa.sʲe.nʲɪ.jɛ] - [Neutral]

Frequency: Medium - This term is not everyday vocabulary but appears frequently in news, scientific discussions, or emergency contexts in Russian-speaking regions.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should be able to recognize and use it in context, though the word's length and Slavic root structure may pose challenges for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

землетрясение: [zʲɪm.lʲɪ.trʲa.sʲe.nʲɪ.jɛ]

Note on землетрясение: The pronunciation involves soft consonants (e.g., 'з' as [zʲ] and 'т' as [tʲ]), which can be tricky for English speakers; stress falls on the fourth syllable. Practice with native audio to master the flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The shaking of the Earth's surface caused by seismic waves, often resulting in damage or disasters.

Translation(s) & Context:

• землетрясение - Used in general, formal contexts such as news reports, scientific literature, or emergency announcements; it is the standard term for natural seismic events.

Usage Examples:

• Вчера в Калифорнии произошло мощное землетрясение, которое вызвало панику среди жителей.

  Yesterday, a powerful earthquake occurred in California, causing panic among residents.

• Ученые изучают землетрясения в Тихоокеанском регионе, чтобы предсказать будущие риски.

  Scientists are studying earthquakes in the Pacific region to predict future risks.

• Во время землетрясения важно оставаться спокойным и следовать инструкциям спасателей.

  During an earthquake, it's important to stay calm and follow the instructions of rescuers.

• Историческое землетрясение 1988 года в Армении унесло тысячи жизней и повлияло на всю страну.

  The historic earthquake of 1988 in Armenia claimed thousands of lives and affected the entire country.

• Многие города в России имеют системы оповещения для предупреждения о возможных землетрясениях.

  Many cities in Russia have alert systems to warn about possible earthquakes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Землетрясение" is a neuter noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for most neuter nouns ending in -ение. It is inflected based on case, number, and gender. As a singular noun, it does not have plural forms in common usage, but it can be pluralized in specific contexts like scientific discussions.

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not change for adjectives or verbs directly, but it must agree with modifiers in case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сейсмический толчок (seismic shock) - Often used interchangeably in technical contexts, but more specific to sudden jolts.
  • Трясение земли (shaking of the earth) - A more descriptive, less formal synonym used in everyday speech.
• Antonyms: Not directly applicable, as "earthquake" is a specific event. However, related concepts might include "стабильность" (stability) in geological contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Сильное землетрясение - A strong earthquake; used to describe high-magnitude events in news or reports.
• Подземное землетрясение - Subterranean earthquake; refers to quakes that occur deep underground with less surface impact.
• Землетрясение по шкале Рихтера - Earthquake on the Richter scale; a common phrase in scientific discussions to indicate measurement.
• Последствия землетрясения - Consequences of an earthquake; often used in disaster recovery contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "землетрясение" directly corresponds to the English "earthquake" and is the most precise translation for natural seismic phenomena. It is typically used in formal or neutral contexts, such as media, education, or emergency services. Be mindful of grammatical agreement: always adjust for case (e.g., "во время землетрясения" for "during an earthquake"). If the context involves man-made vibrations, alternatives like "вибрация" might be more appropriate. When choosing among synonyms, opt for "землетрясение" in standard usage for clarity and accuracy.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "землетрясение" with "взрыв" (explosion), mistakenly using it for non-seismic events. Incorrect: "Взрыв в городе" ( Explosion in the city) when meaning an earthquake. Correct: "Землетрясение в городе". Explanation: "Взрыв" implies a blast, so always verify the context to avoid this mix-up.

• Another error is incorrect case usage, such as saying "про землетрясение" instead of "о землетрясении" in prepositional contexts. Correct form: "Разговор о землетрясении" (Talk about the earthquake). Explanation: Prepositions like "о" require the prepositional case.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, earthquakes are less common in European regions but frequent in areas like the Far East and Kamchatka, which are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The term "землетрясение" often evokes historical events, such as the 2013 Sea of Okhotsk earthquake, highlighting Russia's vulnerability to natural disasters and the cultural emphasis on preparedness and resilience in these regions.

Related Concepts:

• цунами (tsunami)
• извержение (volcanic eruption)
• сейсмика (seismology)
• катастрофа (disaster)