Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'environment'

English Word: environment

Key Russian Translations:

• окружающая среда [ɐkrʊˈʐaɪʂəjə ˈsʲrʲedə] - [Formal, used in scientific or ecological contexts]
• среда [ˈsʲrʲedə] - [Informal, general use; can imply social or physical surroundings]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about ecology, science, and daily life in Russian media and conversations)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual nuances for accurate usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

окружающая среда: [ɐkrʊˈʐaɪʂəjə ˈsʲrʲedə]

среда: [ˈsʲrʲedə]

Note on окружающая среда: The stress falls on the third syllable of "окружающая" and the first of "среда." Be mindful of the soft "ж" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Natural or ecological environment

Translation(s) & Context:

• окружающая среда - Used in formal contexts like environmental science or policy discussions, emphasizing the natural world around us.
• среда обитания - Refers specifically to habitat or living environment, often in biological or conservation contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны защищать окружающую среду от загрязнения. (We must protect the environment from pollution.)

  Translation: We must protect the environment from pollution. (This example shows the word in a formal, advocacy context.)

• В городе ухудшается качество окружающей среды из-за промышленных отходов. (The quality of the environment in the city is worsening due to industrial waste.)

  Translation: The quality of the environment in the city is worsening due to industrial waste. (Illustrates use in an urban ecological discussion.)

• Среда в этом районе благоприятна для дикой природы. (The environment in this area is favorable for wildlife.)

  Translation: The environment in this area is favorable for wildlife. (Demonstrates a more general application in descriptive sentences.)

• Изменение климата влияет на нашу окружающую среду. (Climate change affects our environment.)

  Translation: Climate change affects our environment. (Shows integration with global issues.)

2. Social or working environment

Translation(s) & Context:

• среда - Informal for social surroundings, such as workplace or community atmosphere.
• окружение - Emphasizes immediate personal environment, like social circle.

Usage Examples:

• В этой компании рабочая среда очень дружелюбная. (The working environment in this company is very friendly.)

  Translation: The working environment in this company is very friendly. (This highlights professional contexts.)

• Его социальная среда повлияла на его взгляды. (His social environment influenced his views.)

  Translation: His social environment influenced his views. (Example of use in personal development discussions.)

• Окружение в школе помогает детям развиваться. (The environment at school helps children develop.)

  Translation: The environment at school helps children develop. (Shows educational context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "окружающая среда" and "среда" are nouns. "Окружающая среда" is a phrase where "окружающая" is an adjective that agrees with "среда" in gender, number, and case. "Среда" is a feminine noun that follows the first declension pattern with regular inflections.

For "среда" alone: It is invariant in most cases but follows standard feminine noun rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: окружение (surroundings), habitat (габитат - less common, borrowed term)
• Antonyms: пустота (emptiness), разрушенная среда (destroyed environment) - Note: Antonyms may vary by context; "пустота" implies a lack of environment.

Related Phrases:

• защита окружающей среды - Protection of the environment; commonly used in environmental campaigns.
• экологическая среда - Ecological environment; refers to sustainable or green contexts.
• социальная среда - Social environment; used in sociological discussions to describe community dynamics.

Usage Notes:

"Окружающая среда" is the most precise translation for "environment" in ecological contexts and is preferred in formal writing. "Среда" is more versatile for everyday use but can be ambiguous, so context is key. English speakers should note that Russian nouns decline, so always adjust for case (e.g., in prepositional phrases). When choosing between translations, opt for "окружающая среда" in scientific texts and "среда" in casual conversations.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "среда" without proper context, leading to confusion (e.g., mistaking it for "Wednesday," which is also "среда" in Russian). Correct: Specify with adjectives like "окружающая" for clarity. Example of error: "Среда хорошая" (could mean "Wednesday is good" instead of "The environment is good"). Correct: "Окружающая среда хорошая."
• Mistake: Forgetting declension, e.g., saying "за окружающая среда" instead of "за окружающей средой." Explanation: Always decline the adjective and noun to match the case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "окружающая среда" often carries connotations of environmental protection, influenced by historical events like Chernobyl and ongoing climate concerns. It symbolizes national pride in vast natural landscapes, such as the Siberian forests, and is a key topic in modern Russian media promoting sustainability.

Related Concepts:

• экология (ecology)
• климат (climate)
• загрязнение (pollution)