Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fiber'

English Word: fiber

Key Russian Translations:

• волокно [vɐˈlɔknə] - [Neutral, commonly used in scientific and everyday contexts]
• фибра [ˈfibrə] - [Formal, technical or borrowed term, often in medical or engineering fields]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical discussions but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and inflections for everyday use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

волокно: [vɐˈlɔknə]

Note on волокно: The stress falls on the second syllable; pronounce the 'o' as a short 'o' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to long vowels.

фибра: [ˈfibrə]

Note on фибра: This is a borrowed word from English/French, so it's pronounced more similarly to its English counterpart; focus on the soft 'r' sound in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A thread or filament from which a plant, animal, or textile is formed (e.g., dietary or natural fiber).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волокно - Used in general contexts like biology or materials science; neutral and versatile.
• фибра - Applied in specialized fields like medicine or technology; more formal and less common.

Usage Examples:

• Это волокно используется в производстве ткани.

  This fiber is used in fabric production.

• Диетическое волокно полезно для здоровья.

  Dietary fiber is beneficial for health.

• Волокно из хлопка очень прочное.

  Cotton fiber is very durable.

• Фибра в этом материале обеспечивает прочность.

  The fiber in this material provides strength.

• Оптическое волокно передаёт сигналы на большие расстояния.

  Optical fiber transmits signals over long distances.

Meaning 2: A metaphorical or abstract sense, such as in "nerve fiber" in anatomy.

Translation(s) & Context:

• волокно - Used in anatomical or scientific descriptions; straightforward and common.
• фибра - Preferred in medical terminology for precision.

Usage Examples:

• Нервное волокно передаёт импульсы в мозг.

  The nerve fiber transmits impulses to the brain.

• Волокно мышцы отвечает за движение.

  Muscle fiber is responsible for movement.

• Фибра в нервной системе может повреждаться от травм.

  Fiber in the nervous system can be damaged by injuries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations ("волокно" and "фибра") are neuter nouns in Russian, which follow standard declension patterns. "Волокно" is a third-declension neuter noun and inflects regularly, while "фибра" is less common and often remains unchanged in informal use due to its borrowed status.

Note: "Фибра" may not always inflect fully in modern usage, especially in technical contexts, and can remain invariant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нить (nit) - Thread-like fiber, often used interchangeably in textile contexts.
  • ткань (tkany) - Fabric, with a slight emphasis on woven materials.
• Antonyms:
  • масса (massa) - Mass or bulk, contrasting with the linear nature of fiber.

Related Phrases:

• Оптическое волокно - Optical fiber; used in telecommunications for high-speed data transmission.
• Диетическое волокно - Dietary fiber; essential for digestive health in nutrition contexts.
• Натуральное волокно - Natural fiber; refers to fibers from plants or animals, like cotton or wool.

Usage Notes:

"Fiber" in English often corresponds to "волокно" in neutral Russian contexts, especially for materials or biology, while "фибра" is better for technical or imported terms. Be mindful of the noun's gender and case when constructing sentences; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "из" (from), as in "из волокна" (from fiber). In formal writing, prefer "волокно" for everyday items and "фибра" for specialized fields to avoid sounding overly technical or awkward.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "волокно" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "в волокно" instead of "в волокне" for "in the fiber". Correct: "в волокне" – This happens because English speakers often overlook Russian case requirements; always check the context to apply the right case.

• Error: Confusing "волокно" with "волос" (hair), leading to misuse in descriptions. Correct: Use "волокно" for fibers and "волос" for hair strands; for example, say "волокно ткани" instead of "волос ткани".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "волокно" is frequently discussed in the context of traditional crafts like textile production, which has historical significance in regions like Ivanovo (known as the "Russian Manchester"). This reflects Russia's industrial heritage and emphasis on natural materials in everyday life, contrasting with modern synthetic fibers.

Related Concepts:

• ткань (fabric)
• нить (thread)
• материал (material)