Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'encyclopaedia'

English Word: encyclopaedia

Key Russian Translations:

• энциклопедия (/ɛn.tsɨ.klʌ.pʲe.ˈdʲi.jə/) - [Formal, Singular, Used in academic and educational contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in educational, literary, and reference materials, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and academic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

энциклопедия: /ɛn.tsɨ.klʌ.pʲe.ˈdʲi.jə/ (The stress is on the fourth syllable; note the palatalized 'пʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

Note on энциклопедия: The 'ц' is pronounced like 'ts' in 'bits', and the word has a soft ending due to the 'я'. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A comprehensive reference work containing information on many subjects, often in book form.

Translation(s) & Context:

• энциклопедия - Used in formal educational or research contexts, such as libraries or online resources.

Usage Examples:

• Я часто обращаюсь к энциклопедии, чтобы узнать новые факты о истории.

  I often refer to the encyclopaedia to learn new facts about history.

• В школьной библиотеке есть полная энциклопедия по наукам.

  In the school library, there is a complete encyclopaedia on sciences.

• Современная энциклопедия доступна онлайн и обновляется ежегодно.

  The modern encyclopaedia is available online and is updated annually.

• Энциклопедия включает статьи о всем, от биологии до философии.

  The encyclopaedia includes articles on everything from biology to philosophy.

• Мой дедушка собирал старую энциклопедию на протяжении многих лет.

  My grandfather collected an old encyclopaedia over many years.

Secondary Meaning: A broad knowledge or overview of a subject (metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• энциклопедия - Used metaphorically in informal discussions to describe someone's extensive knowledge.

Usage Examples:

• Его знания в литературе — настоящая энциклопедия.

  His knowledge of literature is a real encyclopaedia.

• Для неё природа — как энциклопедия, полная тайн.

  For her, nature is like an encyclopaedia full of mysteries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Энциклопедия is a feminine noun (feminine singular in its base form). It follows the standard first declension pattern for Russian nouns, with changes based on case, number, and gender. It is not irregular but requires attention to vowel softening in certain forms.

Note: The plural form is less common and used when referring to multiple volumes or types of encyclopaedias.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: энциклопедический словарь (more specific, like a specialized dictionary), справочник (handbook or reference book) - Note: Справочник is less comprehensive and often more practical.
• Antonyms: None directly, but could contrast with узкоспециализированная книга (narrowly specialized book) in context.

Related Phrases:

• Британская энциклопедия - Refers to the Encyclopædia Britannica; used in discussions of global reference works.
• Большая советская энциклопедия - A famous Soviet-era encyclopaedia; implies historical or cultural significance.
• Онлайн-энциклопедия - An online encyclopaedia, like Wikipedia; common in digital contexts.

Usage Notes:

This word directly corresponds to the English 'encyclopaedia' in formal and academic settings. It is typically used in singular form for a specific work, and its feminine gender affects agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., 'эта энциклопедия большая' - this encyclopaedia is big). Be mindful of declensions when using in sentences; for instance, choose the correct case based on the preposition (e.g., 'в энциклопедии' for 'in the encyclopaedia'). If multiple translations exist, 'энциклопедия' is the most neutral and widely applicable; opt for synonyms like 'справочник' for less comprehensive references.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying 'я читаю энциклопедия' instead of 'я читаю энциклопедию' (accusative case). Correct: 'Я читаю энциклопедию.' Explanation: Russian requires case agreement with verbs like 'читать' (to read), so the accusative form is needed for direct objects.
• Error: Confusing with 'словарь' (dictionary), leading to misuse in contexts where a broader reference is needed. Correct: Use 'энциклопедия' for comprehensive overviews, not just word definitions. Explanation: While both are reference materials, 'энциклопедия' covers topics in depth, whereas 'словарь' is for definitions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, encyclopaedias like the 'Большая советская энциклопедия' hold historical significance, symbolizing the Soviet era's emphasis on knowledge dissemination and state-controlled information. This reflects a broader cultural value on education and comprehensive learning, often contrasting with Western models like Britannica.

Related Concepts:

• словарь (dictionary)
• справочник (handbook)
• атлас (atlas)