Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'factor'

English Word: factor

Key Russian Translations:

• Фактор [ˈfaktər] - [Formal, Used in scientific, mathematical, and business contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in academic, professional, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding noun declensions and context-specific usage; learners at this level can grasp it with practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Фактор: [ˈfaktər]

Note on Фактор: The stress is on the first syllable [ˈfak], with a soft 't' sound that can vary slightly in rapid speech. Be mindful of the rolled 'r' at the end, which is a common challenge for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A mathematical factor (e.g., a number that divides another number exactly).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Фактор - Used in formal mathematical contexts, such as in equations or problem-solving.

Usage Examples:

• В математике 2 является фактором числа 4. (In mathematics, 2 is a factor of the number 4.)

  English Translation: In mathematics, 2 is a factor of the number 4.

• Чтобы решить уравнение, нужно найти все факторы переменной x. (To solve the equation, you need to find all factors of the variable x.)

  English Translation: To solve the equation, you need to find all factors of the variable x.

• Факторы простых чисел всегда равны 1 и самим числом. (Factors of prime numbers are always 1 and the number itself.)

  English Translation: Factors of prime numbers are always 1 and the number itself.

• В этой задаче факторы должны быть положительными. (In this problem, factors must be positive.)

  English Translation: In this problem, factors must be positive.

Meaning 2: A contributing factor in a situation (e.g., in business, science, or everyday life).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Фактор - Used in broader contexts like economics, health, or decision-making, often implying influence or cause.

Usage Examples:

• Экономический фактор сильно влияет на рынок. (The economic factor greatly influences the market.)

  English Translation: The economic factor greatly influences the market.

• Здоровье является ключевым фактором в повседневной жизни. (Health is a key factor in everyday life.)

  English Translation: Health is a key factor in everyday life.

• В бизнесе риск — это важный фактор успеха. (In business, risk is an important factor for success.)

  English Translation: In business, risk is an important factor for success.

• Погодные факторы могут изменить планы путешествия. (Weather factors can change travel plans.)

  English Translation: Weather factors can change travel plans.

• Социальный фактор играет роль в формировании общественного мнения. (The social factor plays a role in shaping public opinion.)

  English Translation: The social factor plays a role in shaping public opinion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Фактор" is a masculine noun (мужской род) in Russian, which follows the standard second declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to the ending based on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Элемент (Element) - Often used interchangeably in scientific contexts, but implies a part of a whole.
  • Фактор (no exact synonyms, but can be nuanced with Компонент - Component, especially in technical fields).
• Antonyms:
  • Незначительный фактор (Insignificant factor) - Not a direct antonym, but implies opposition in importance.

Related Phrases:

• Рисковый фактор (Risk factor) - Refers to elements that increase the likelihood of negative outcomes, common in health and finance.
• Ключевой фактор (Key factor) - Used to denote the most important element in a situation, often in decision-making.
• Внешний фактор (External factor) - Describes influences from outside sources, such as environmental or market conditions.

Usage Notes:

"Фактор" directly corresponds to the English "factor" in most contexts, but it's essential to use the correct case based on the sentence structure in Russian. For instance, it's often in the nominative case as a subject, but shifts to genitive in possessive phrases (e.g., "фактора риска" for "factor of risk"). This word is neutral in tone and can be used across formal and informal settings, but in casual speech, speakers might opt for simpler alternatives if the context allows. When choosing between translations, stick with "фактор" for precise scientific or business discussions to maintain accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в фактор" instead of "в факторе" (in the factor). Correct: "В факторе времени" (In the factor of time). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations or contexts, so learners must memorize declensions to avoid this.

• Error: Overusing "фактор" in everyday speech where a simpler word like "причина" (reason) would suffice. Correct: Instead of "Это фактор моего решения," say "Это фактор моего решения" if needed, but often "причина" is more natural. Explanation: This can make speech sound overly formal; context dictates the best choice.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, "фактор" is frequently used in discussions of historical events, such as the "human factor" in disasters (e.g., Chernobyl), emphasizing personal or societal elements over purely technical ones. This reflects a cultural tendency to integrate human aspects into analyses, which can deepen understanding of Russian perspectives on responsibility and cause-effect relationships.

Related Concepts:

• Элемент
• Компонент
• Причина