Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'freshwater'

English Word: freshwater

Key Russian Translations:

• пресная вода [ˈprʲesnəjə vɐˈda] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in environmental, scientific, and geographical contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian nouns and adjectives, suitable for learners with some vocabulary foundation).

Pronunciation (Russian):

пресная вода: [ˈprʲesnəjə vɐˈda]

Note on пресная вода: The stress falls on the first syllable of "пресная" ([ˈprʲesnəjə]), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'r' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Non-salty water, typically found in rivers, lakes, and streams, as opposed to seawater.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пресная вода - Used in formal, scientific, or environmental discussions, such as in hydrology or ecology; appropriate for written reports or educational contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В реках и озерах России много пресной воды, которая важна для экологии.

  In Russia's rivers and lakes, there is a lot of fresh water, which is important for ecology.

• Пресная вода из подземных источников часто используется для питья в сельских районах.

  Fresh water from underground sources is often used for drinking in rural areas.

• Загрязнение пресной воды является глобальной проблемой, влияющей на миллионы людей.

  Pollution of fresh water is a global problem affecting millions of people.

• В лаборатории мы изучаем качество пресной воды из местных рек.

  In the laboratory, we study the quality of fresh water from local rivers.

• Для устойчивого развития необходимы меры по сохранению пресной воды.

  Sustainable development requires measures to preserve fresh water.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"пресная вода" is a noun phrase where "пресная" is a feminine singular adjective and "вода" is a feminine noun. Adjectives in Russian agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. "Вода" follows the first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -a.

Key inflections for "вода" (water):

The adjective "пресная" changes accordingly: e.g., in genitive singular: пресной воды (of fresh water). This phrase is invariable in basic form but must agree in full sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свежая вода - Less formal, often used interchangeably but implies "fresh" in a more general sense (e.g., not stale).
  • чистая вода - Emphasizes cleanliness rather than salinity, suitable for contexts focusing on purity.
• Antonyms:
  • соленая вода - Directly contrasts with fresh water, used for seawater or brackish water.
  • морская вода - Specifically for ocean water, highlighting the marine aspect.

Related Phrases:

• Источники пресной воды - Sources of fresh water; refers to origins like rivers or springs, commonly used in environmental discussions.
• Запасы пресной воды - Reserves of fresh water; used in contexts of resource management or sustainability.
• Охрана пресной воды - Protection of fresh water; a phrase in conservation efforts, emphasizing ecological preservation.

Usage Notes:

"Пресная вода" directly corresponds to the English "freshwater" in scientific and everyday contexts, but it's more commonly used as a noun phrase rather than a single word. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree with the noun in case, number, and gender, so always adjust "пресная" accordingly (e.g., use "пресной" in genitive). This term is neutral and formal, making it suitable for academic or professional settings, but in casual speech, Russians might simplify to just "вода" with context. When choosing between translations like "пресная вода" and "свежая вода," opt for the former in precise contexts to avoid ambiguity with "fresh" as in newly obtained.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свежая вода" when meaning "freshwater" in a scientific context, which might imply "freshly drawn water" rather than non-salty water. Correct: Stick to "пресная вода" for salinity-related discussions. Example of error: "Свежая вода в океане" (implies ocean water is fresh, which is wrong). Correct: "Пресная вода в реках" (Fresh water in rivers).

• Error: Forgetting adjective-noun agreement, e.g., saying "пресная вод" in genitive (incorrect form). Correct: "пресной воды." This is common for beginners due to Russian's complex declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, "пресная вода" holds significant cultural and environmental importance due to the country's vast freshwater resources, such as Lake Baikal, the world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake. This term often appears in discussions about national heritage and environmental protection, reflecting Russia's historical reliance on rivers like the Volga for trade, agriculture, and daily life. English learners should appreciate how water scarcity in other regions contrasts with Russia's abundance, influencing phrases in literature and policy.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• озеро (lake)
• гидрология (hydrology)
• экология (ecology)