Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'eclipse'

English Word: eclipse

Key Russian Translations:

• затмение [zətˈmʲenʲɪje] - [Formal, used in scientific and metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, literary, and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and metaphorical usage, per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

затмение: /zətˈmʲenʲɪje/

Note on затмение: The stress is on the second syllable ('mʲenʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'mʲ' sound. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Astronomical eclipse (e.g., when one celestial body obscures another)

Translation(s) & Context:

• затмение - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts to describe solar or lunar events.

Usage Examples:

• Завтра произойдёт полное солнечное затмение, которое будет видно в Европе.

  Tomorrow, a total solar eclipse will occur, which will be visible in Europe.

• Лунное затмение часто ассоциируется с древними мифами и предсказаниями.

  A lunar eclipse is often associated with ancient myths and predictions.

• Во время затмения астрономы наблюдают за изменениями в атмосфере.

  During an eclipse, astronomers observe changes in the atmosphere.

• Затмение Солнца может быть частичным или кольцеобразным, в зависимости от положения Луны.

  A solar eclipse can be partial or annular, depending on the Moon's position.

Metaphorical eclipse (e.g., a loss of power, influence, or prominence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• затмение - Used figuratively in literature, politics, or everyday language to describe overshadowing or decline.

Usage Examples:

• Его карьера пережила затмение после скандала, но он смог вернуться.

  His career experienced an eclipse after the scandal, but he managed to recover.

• В истории России период затмения императорской власти привёл к реформам.

  In Russian history, the period of eclipse of imperial power led to reforms.

• Молодое поколение часто вызывает затмение традиционных идей в обществе.

  The younger generation often causes an eclipse of traditional ideas in society.

• Экономическое затмение страны в 90-е годы повлияло на многие аспекты жизни.

  The economic eclipse of the country in the 1990s affected many aspects of life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"затмение" is a neuter noun in Russian, which follows the standard declension pattern for nouns ending in -ие. It is a third-declension noun and exhibits regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its forms:

Note: The word is invariant in gender and does not change in informal usage, but always adjust for case in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • затемнение (more general shading or darkening, often used interchangeably in non-astronomical contexts)
  • помрачение (implies temporary obscuring, with a poetic connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • появление (appearance or emergence)
  • просветление (enlightenment or clarification)

Related Phrases:

• Солнечное затмение - A solar eclipse; used in astronomical discussions to specify the type.
• Лунное затмение - A lunar eclipse; common in educational or cultural contexts.
• Полное затмение - Total eclipse; emphasizes completeness in scientific or metaphorical use.
• Затмение сознания - Eclipse of consciousness; a figurative phrase for mental blackout or confusion.

Usage Notes:

"затмение" directly corresponds to "eclipse" in both literal and metaphorical senses, but it's more formal in Russian and less common in casual speech. When using it, ensure agreement with Russian case systems—for example, in genitive constructions like "во время затмения" (during the eclipse). For metaphorical uses, it's often paired with adjectives like "социальное затмение" (social eclipse). Choose this word over synonyms when precision is needed, especially in scientific contexts. English learners should note that Russian requires definite articles implicitly through context, unlike English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "затменение" instead of "затмение" (a common misspelling due to confusion with similar roots).

  Correct: затмение; Explanation: The correct form is derived from "тмение," not "затменение." This error can make the word sound unnatural.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "в затмение" instead of "в затмении" (prepositional case).

  Correct: в затмении; Explanation: Russian nouns must change based on case; using the nominative form incorrectly can confuse native speakers.

• Error: Overusing in metaphorical contexts without context, e.g., translating "eclipse" as затмение in everyday English phrases where a simpler word like "потеря" (loss) might fit better.

  Correct: Assess context; Explanation: затмение implies a specific overshadowing, so reserve it for appropriate scenarios to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, eclipses like "затмение" have historical and superstitious significance, often linked to folklore where they were seen as omens or divine events. For instance, in Russian literature and history, solar eclipses have symbolized political upheaval, as in references to eclipses during key events in the 20th century, reflecting themes of change and uncertainty.

Related Concepts:

• луна (moon)
• солнце (sun)
• астрономия (astronomy)
• предсказание (prediction)