Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'epoch'

English Word: epoch

Key Russian Translations:

• эпоха /ɛˈpɔxə/ - [Formal, Singular; Used in historical, scientific, or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, historical, and literary discussions, but not everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

эпоха: /ɛˈpɔxə/

Note on эпоха: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈpɔxə/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'х' sound, similar to the Scottish 'ch' in "loch." Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A period of time in history marked by significant events or changes (e.g., historical era)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эпоха - Used in formal writing, history books, or discussions about cultural shifts; appropriate for academic or intellectual contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Эта эпоха ознаменовалась великими открытиями в науке.

  This epoch was marked by great discoveries in science.

• В эпоху Возрождения искусство переживало расцвет.

  During the epoch of the Renaissance, art experienced a flourishing period.

• Современная эпоха характеризуется быстрым технологическим прогрессом.

  The modern epoch is characterized by rapid technological progress.

• Эпоха холодной войны повлияла на глобальную политику.

  The epoch of the Cold War influenced global politics.

Meaning 2: A fixed point of time from which a series of years is reckoned (e.g., in geology or computing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• эпоха - Used in scientific or technical contexts, such as geology or data science; less common in everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• В геологии эпоха обозначает начало нового периода.

  In geology, an epoch designates the start of a new period.

• В машинном обучении эпоха — это полный цикл обработки данных.

  In machine learning, an epoch is a full cycle of data processing.

• Астрономическая эпоха используется для расчётов звёздных позиций.

  The astronomical epoch is used for calculating stellar positions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Эпоха" is a feminine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns with changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table of its declensions for singular forms (plural is less common but follows similar patterns).

Note: The word is invariant in plural for most cases, but in practice, plural forms like "эпохи" (nominative plural) are used. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • период (period; more general and can be used interchangeably in some contexts, but less emphatic on historical significance)
  • век (age or century; often used for longer historical spans, with a connotation of cultural evolution)
  • эра (era; similar to эпоха but sometimes implies a broader global impact)
• Antonyms:
  • конец (end; refers to the termination of a period)
  • момент (moment; contrasts with the extended duration of an epoch)

Related Phrases:

• Новая эпоха - A new epoch; Refers to the beginning of a transformative period, often in historical or social contexts.
• Эпоха Просвещения - The Age of Enlightenment; A specific historical phrase denoting a period of intellectual growth.
• Конец эпохи - The end of an epoch; Used to describe the conclusion of a significant era, with dramatic connotations.

Usage Notes:

Эпоха directly corresponds to "epoch" in English, emphasizing a distinct historical or scientific period, but it is more commonly used in formal Russian than in casual conversation. Be mindful of its feminine gender when constructing sentences, as adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "эта эпоха важна" for "this epoch is important"). In scientific contexts, like computing, it may overlap with "эпох" in technical jargon, but for general use, stick to эпоха. When choosing between synonyms like период or век, opt for эпоха when the focus is on profound change or cultural milestones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "в эпоха" instead of "в эпоху" (in the epoch).
  Correct: в эпоху; Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian case endings; always adjust for the correct case based on the preposition.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "эра" and using them interchangeably without context, e.g., treating "эпоха" as exactly the same as "era."
  Correct: Use эпоха for more specific, transformative periods; Explanation: While similar, эпоха implies deeper historical weight, whereas эра might be broader—check context to avoid imprecision.
• Mistake: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., saying "этой эпох" instead of "этой эпохи."
  Correct: этой эпохи; Explanation: As a feminine noun, it requires feminine forms of adjectives and pronouns, which is a common pitfall for learners from non-gendered languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of an "эпоха" often carries a sense of national pride or reflection, such as referencing the "эпоха Петра Великого" (the epoch of Peter the Great), which symbolizes modernization and expansion. This reflects Russia's historical narrative of pivotal rulers and events shaping its identity, helping English speakers appreciate the emotional and patriotic undertones in Russian literature and discourse.

Related Concepts:

• история (history)
• прогресс (progress)
• революция (revolution)