Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'electrical'

English Word: electrical

Key Russian Translations:

• электрический [ɪlʲɪkˈtrʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, used in technical and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in technical, engineering, and daily conversations, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires familiarity with scientific terminology and basic adjective inflections for English learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

электрический: [ɪlʲɪkˈtrʲit͡ɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on электрический: The stress falls on the third syllable ('trʲit͡ɕ-'), which can be tricky for beginners due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'l' sound at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Adjective meaning: Relating to or associated with electricity, often used in technical or descriptive contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• электрический - Used in formal and technical settings, such as describing devices, systems, or phenomena involving electricity; common in engineering, science, and everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• Электрический ток необходим для работы всех современных устройств.

  Electrical current is necessary for the operation of all modern devices.

• В этом доме установлена электрическая система освещения.

  An electrical lighting system is installed in this house.

• Электрический двигатель преобразует энергию в движение.

  An electrical motor converts energy into motion.

• Из-за неисправности электрического оборудования возникла авария.

  Due to a fault in the electrical equipment, an accident occurred.

• Электрический разряд в атмосфере вызывает молнию.

  An electrical discharge in the atmosphere causes lightning.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Электрический' is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table showing its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the basic patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • электро- (as a prefix in compounds, e.g., электроснабжение; implies a similar technical context but is more prefix-based)
  • энергетический (when emphasizing energy aspects, with a slight nuance toward broader power sources)
• Antonyms:
  • механический (mechanical; used for non-electrical, physical mechanisms)
  • гидравлический (hydraulic; for fluid-based systems)

Related Phrases:

• электрический ток - Refers to electric current, commonly used in physics and engineering contexts.
• электрическая сеть - Means electrical grid or network, often in discussions about power infrastructure.
• электрическое оборудование - Translates to electrical equipment, used for describing tools or devices.
• электрический разряд - Indicates an electrical discharge, as in lightning or static electricity.

Usage Notes:

'Электрический' directly corresponds to the English 'electrical' as an adjective, but in Russian, it must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies. For English learners, remember that Russian adjectives are more inflected than in English, so always check the noun's form. It's versatile across formal and informal settings but is most common in technical or scientific discourse. When choosing between translations, use 'электрический' for general electricity-related descriptions; avoid it in purely metaphorical contexts where a synonym like 'энергетический' might fit better.

• In formal writing, pair it with specific nouns like 'электрический ток'.
• Be cautious with word order; in Russian, the adjective typically precedes the noun.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the case endings, such as using the nominative form 'электрический' in all contexts. For example:

• Error: Говорить о электрический системе (incorrect; mixes English word order and ignores case).
• Correct: Говорить об электрической системе (correct genitive form for 'about').

Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, so always inflect based on the sentence's grammatical role. Another common mistake is confusing it with 'электронный' (electronic), which refers to electronics rather than electricity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'электрический' are tied to the country's historical emphasis on engineering and industrialization, especially during the Soviet era. For instance, widespread electrification projects in the 20th century, such as those under Lenin's GOELRO plan, have made electricity a symbol of modernization. This can add a layer of historical pride when discussing electrical innovations in Russian contexts.

Related Concepts:

• энергия
• вольт
• ампер
• электронный