Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'explosion'

English Word: explosion

Key Russian Translations:

• взрыв [vzˈrɨf] - [Formal, used in general contexts]

Frequency: Medium - The word is commonly encountered in news, scientific, or historical contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should be familiar with basic noun inflections and vocabulary related to events and science.

Pronunciation (Russian):

взрыв: [vzˈrɨf]

Note on взрыв: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'ы' sound can be challenging for English speakers, as it's a central vowel not found in English; it's similar to the 'i' in "bit" but more centralized. Pronounce it with a soft 'v' at the beginning.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal meaning: A sudden, violent bursting or expansion, often with noise and force (e.g., bomb explosion).

Translation(s) & Context:

• взрыв - Used in contexts involving physical events like bombings, explosions in nature, or scientific phenomena; formal and neutral in tone.

Usage Examples:

• В городе произошёл мощный взрыв, разрушивший несколько зданий.

  In the city, a powerful explosion occurred, destroying several buildings.

• Учёные изучают взрыв сверхновой звезды в далёкой галактике.

  Scientists are studying the explosion of a supernova in a distant galaxy.

• Во время эксперимента произошёл неожиданный взрыв, но никто не пострадал.

  During the experiment, an unexpected explosion occurred, but no one was hurt.

• Взрыв газа в шахте привёл к эвакуации рабочих.

  The gas explosion in the mine led to the evacuation of workers.

Figurative meaning: A sudden outburst of emotion, activity, or growth (e.g., an explosion of laughter).

Translation(s) & Context:

• взрыв - Applied metaphorically in emotional or social contexts; can be informal when describing human reactions.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь вызвала взрыв аплодисментов в зале.

  His speech caused an explosion of applause in the hall.

• Взрыв эмоций во время спора часто приводит к конфликтам.

  An explosion of emotions during an argument often leads to conflicts.

• Экономический взрыв в стране стимулировал рост бизнеса.

  The economic explosion in the country stimulated business growth.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"взрыв" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows regular patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The noun is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспышка (vsporʹka) - More commonly used for a flash or sudden burst of light; subtle difference in implying brevity.
  • детонация (detonatsiya) - Specifically for controlled or explosive reactions in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • спокойствие (spokoystvo) - Implies calmness or peace, contrasting with violent disruption.
  • тишина (tishina) - Means silence, often used in contexts where an explosion would create noise.

Related Phrases:

• Ядерный взрыв (Yadernyy vzryv) - Nuclear explosion; used in discussions of atomic energy or warfare.
• Взрыв смеха (Vzryv smekha) - Burst of laughter; common in social or comedic contexts to describe group reactions.
• Химический взрыв (Khimitcheskiy vzryv) - Chemical explosion; refers to reactions in chemistry or industrial settings.

Usage Notes:

"Взрыв" directly corresponds to "explosion" in English but is more versatile in Russian for both literal and figurative uses. In formal writing or speech, it's preferred in scientific and news contexts. Be cautious with context: in everyday conversation, Russians might use it metaphorically without literal implications. When choosing between synonyms like "вспышка," opt for "взрыв" if the event involves significant force or impact. Grammatically, always decline it according to the sentence's case to maintain agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "взрыв" without proper declension, e.g., saying "взрыв в дом" instead of "взрыв в доме" (correct: genitive case for location).
  Correct: "Взрыв в доме" means "explosion in the house." Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case, so learners must identify the governing preposition.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "взрываться" (to explode as a verb), e.g., using "взрыв" when a verb is needed.
  Correct: Use "взрыв" for the noun form; for the action, say "произошёл взрыв" instead of incorrectly verbifying it. Explanation: English speakers often mix nouns and verbs, but in Russian, maintain part-of-speech distinctions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "взрыв" often evokes memories of events like the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear explosion, which is a significant part of Soviet and post-Soviet history. It symbolizes both destruction and transformation, frequently appearing in literature and media to discuss resilience or catastrophe, reflecting Russia's complex relationship with industrialization and warfare.

Related Concepts:

• взрывчатка (explosive material)
• катастрофа (catastrophe)
• реакция (reaction)