Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'encyclopedia'

English Word: encyclopedia

Key Russian Translations:

• энциклопедия [ɛntsɨklopʲedʲɪja] - [Formal, Singular; Used in educational and reference contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly encountered in academic, research, and everyday reading contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to knowledge and information)

Pronunciation (Russian):

энциклопедия: [ɛntsɨklopʲedʲɪja]

Note on энциклопедия: The stress falls on the third syllable ("klo"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'п' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A comprehensive reference work containing articles on a wide range of subjects or a general source of knowledge.

Translation(s) & Context:

• энциклопедия - Typically used in formal contexts like education, libraries, or professional discussions; it refers to a book or digital resource with extensive information.

Usage Examples:

• Я часто пользуюсь энциклопедией, чтобы узнать новые факты о истории.

  I often use the encyclopedia to learn new facts about history.

• В школьной библиотеке есть большая энциклопедия по науке и технологиям.

  In the school library, there is a large encyclopedia on science and technology.

• Энциклопедия онлайн предоставляет доступ к информации из разных стран.

  The online encyclopedia provides access to information from various countries.

• Мой дедушка коллекционирует старые тома энциклопедии.

  My grandfather collects old volumes of the encyclopedia.

• В энциклопедии подробно описаны животные разных континентов.

  The encyclopedia describes animals from different continents in detail.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Энциклопедия is a feminine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard first declension pattern for nouns ending in -ия. It is inflected based on case and number, which is common for Russian nouns. There are no irregular forms.

Note: The plural form is used when referring to multiple volumes or types of encyclopedias.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: справочник (handbook, more practical and concise), словарь (dictionary, focused on words rather than broad topics) - Note: Справочник is often used for specialized guides, while словарь is for lexical references.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a neutral reference term.

Related Phrases:

• Большая советская энциклопедия - Refers to the Great Soviet Encyclopedia; a historically significant multi-volume work used for in-depth research on Soviet-era topics.
• Онлайн-энциклопедия Википедия - The online encyclopedia Wikipedia; commonly used in modern digital contexts for quick information access.
• Энциклопедический словарь - An encyclopedic dictionary; a hybrid that combines dictionary definitions with encyclopedic entries.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "энциклопедия" directly corresponds to the English "encyclopedia" in meaning, but it is primarily used in formal or educational settings. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require agreement in case, number, and gender, so always check the context for proper inflection (e.g., use genitive for possession). When choosing between synonyms like "справочник" or "словарь," opt for "энциклопедия" if the reference is comprehensive and broad. It is gender-neutral in English but feminine in Russian, affecting adjective agreements.

• In spoken Russian, it's common in academic discussions but less so in casual conversation.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to ensure the right level of formality.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline the noun correctly. For example, a common mistake is saying "Я читаю энциклопедия" (incorrect, as it should be in the accusative case: "Я читаю энциклопедию"). Correct usage: "Я читаю энциклопедию о природе" (I am reading the encyclopedia about nature). Another error is confusing it with "словарь," leading to misuse like "Я ищу энциклопедия для слов" when "словарь" would be more appropriate for a word-focused resource. Explanation: Russian requires precise case endings, so always identify the grammatical role of the noun in the sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, encyclopedias like the "Большая советская энциклопедия" (Great Soviet Encyclopedia) hold historical significance, symbolizing the Soviet era's emphasis on knowledge dissemination and state-controlled education. They are often seen as authoritative sources, reflecting Russia's tradition of valuing comprehensive intellectual resources, which contrasts with more dynamic, user-edited platforms like Wikipedia in contemporary use.

Related Concepts:

• словарь
• справочник
• библиотека
• история