Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'figure'

English Word: figure

Key Russian Translations:

• Цифра [ˈtsɨfrə] - [Informal; Used for numerical digits]
• Фигура [fʲɪˈɡurə] - [Formal; Used for shapes, forms, or persons of significance]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday contexts like mathematics, descriptions, and discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and their inflections, with "цифра" being slightly easier at A2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Цифра: [ˈtsɨfrə]

Note on Цифра: The initial "ц" sound is a voiceless alveolar affricate, similar to "ts" in "bits." Stress on the first syllable; common in casual speech.

Фигура: [fʲɪˈɡurə]

Note on Фигура: The "ф" is a voiceless labiodental fricative like "f" in "fun," and the "г" is a voiced velar fricative; stress on the second syllable. Palatalization affects pronunciation in some contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A numerical digit or symbol

Translation(s) & Context:

• Цифра - Used in mathematical or everyday counting contexts, such as referring to numbers in a sequence.

Usage Examples:

• Эта цифра важна в уравнении. (Eta tsifra vazhna v uravnenii.)

  This figure is important in the equation.

• Ваш номер телефона содержит семь цифр. (Vash nomer telefona soderzhit sem tsifr.)

  Your phone number contains seven figures.

• Дети учат цифры в школе. (Deti uchath tsifry v shkole.)

  Children learn figures at school.

• Какая цифра следует за пятью? (Kakaya tsifra sleduyet za pyat'yu?)

  What figure follows five?

Meaning 2: A shape, form, or outline

Translation(s) & Context:

• Фигура - Used in artistic, geometric, or descriptive contexts, such as shapes in drawings or human forms.

Usage Examples:

• Эта фигура в картине символизирует мир. (Eta figura v kartine simvoliziruet mir.)

  This figure in the painting symbolizes peace.

• Геометрические фигуры изучают в уроке. (Geometricheskie figury izuchayut v uroke.)

  Geometric figures are studied in the lesson.

• Её фигура грациозна на сцене. (Ey figuara graciosna na stcene.)

  Her figure is graceful on stage.

• В скульптуре видна идеальная фигура. (V skul'pture vidna ideal'naya figura.)

  An ideal figure is visible in the sculpture.

• Фигура в графике помогает понять данные. (Figura v grafike pomogaet ponyat' dannyie.)

  The figure in the graph helps understand the data.

Meaning 3: A person of importance or a character

Translation(s) & Context:

• Фигура - Used metaphorically for influential individuals in historical or social contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Пушкин - ключевая фигура в русской литературе. (Pushkin - klyuchevaya figura v russkoy literature.)

  Pushkin is a key figure in Russian literature.

• Эта историческая фигура изменила мир. (Eta istoricheskaya figura izmenila mir.)

  This historical figure changed the world.

• Политическая фигура выступила с речью. (Politicheskaya figura vystupila s rech'yu.)

  The political figure gave a speech.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "цифра" and "фигура" are feminine nouns in Russian, which follow standard inflection patterns for first-declension nouns.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections and follow standard patterns, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for Цифра: Число (chislo) - More general term for number; Цифровой символ (tsifrovoy simvol) - For digital symbols.
• Synonyms for Фигура: Форма (forma) - Shape or form; Силуэт (siluet) - Outline.
• Antonyms for Фигура: Неопределённость (neopredelennost') - Indefiniteness; when referring to shapes.

Related Phrases:

• Цифровая революция (Tsifrovaya revolyutsiya) - Digital revolution; Refers to the transformation brought by digital technology.
• Геометрическая фигура (Geometricheskaya figura) - Geometric figure; Used in mathematical contexts for shapes like circles or squares.
• Ключевая фигура (Klyuchevaya figura) - Key figure; Describes an important person in a narrative or history.

Usage Notes:

"Figure" in English can translate to "цифра" for numerical contexts or "фигура" for shapes and persons. Choose based on context: use "цифра" in math or tech discussions, and "фигура" for artistic or biographical references. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender—both are feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly. In formal writing, "фигура" often carries metaphorical weight, while "цифра" is more literal and everyday.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "цифра" with "число" (number). Incorrect: "Это число пять" when meaning a digit. Correct: "Это цифра пять." Explanation: "Цифра" specifically denotes a single digit, while "число" means a number in general.

• Error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "Я вижу фигура" (should be "фигуру" in accusative). Correct: "Я вижу фигуру." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "фигура" can imply historical or literary significance, as in referring to iconic figures like Tolstoy. This reflects Russia's emphasis on intellectual and artistic heritage, where such terms often carry deeper symbolic weight in discussions of national identity.

Related Concepts:

• Число
• Форма
• Символ