Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'fulcrum'

English Word: fulcrum

Key Russian Translations:

• опора [ɐˈporə] - [Formal, Technical]
• точка опоры [ˈtoʧkə ɐˈporə] - [Formal, Scientific, Used in physics or engineering contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, academic, or professional discussions but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific terminology and basic Russian noun inflections; for 'опора', B2; for 'точка опоры', B2 as it involves compound phrases)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опора: [ɐˈporə]

Note on опора: The stress falls on the second syllable ('po-'). Be mindful of the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers used to harder 'r' pronunciations. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

точка опоры: [ˈtoʧkə ɐˈporə]

Note on точка опоры: Pronounce as two separate words; the 'т' in 'точка' is unaspirated, and the phrase is often spoken quickly in technical contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The point on which a lever is supported (Literal, physical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опора - Used in scientific or engineering contexts to describe a support point, e.g., in mechanics or architecture.
• точка опоры - More precise for physics discussions, emphasizing the exact location of balance or pivot.

Usage Examples:

• В рычаге фулкрум является опорой, которая позволяет передавать силу.

  In a lever, the fulcrum is the support that allows force to be transmitted.

• Инженеры тщательно рассчитывают точку опоры в конструкции моста.

  Engineers carefully calculate the fulcrum point in the bridge's design.

• Без правильной опоры механизм не будет работать эффективно.

  Without the proper fulcrum, the mechanism won't function effectively.

• Точка опоры в этом устройстве сделана из прочного металла.

  The fulcrum point in this device is made of durable metal.

• Опора рычага должна быть устойчивой, чтобы избежать поломки.

  The fulcrum of the lever must be stable to avoid breakage.

Meaning 2: A central or supportive element in a metaphorical sense (e.g., a pivotal person or idea)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опора - Used metaphorically in everyday or literary contexts, e.g., for emotional or social support.
• точка опоры - Less common metaphorically, but can imply a turning point in discussions or narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Его семья была опорой в трудные времена, как фулкрум в механизме.

  His family was the fulcrum in difficult times, like a support in a mechanism.

• В этой компании CEO выступает как точка опоры для инноваций.

  In this company, the CEO acts as the fulcrum for innovations.

• Опора общественного мнения может изменить исход выборов.

  Public opinion can serve as the fulcrum that changes election outcomes.

• Эта идея стала опорой для всего проекта.

  This idea became the fulcrum for the entire project.

• Точка опоры в переговорах — это взаимное доверие.

  The fulcrum in negotiations is mutual trust.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Опора' is a feminine noun in the first declension (second group). It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. 'Точка опоры' is a phrase where 'точка' is also feminine and follows similar rules.

For 'точка', as a feminine noun: Nominative singular: точка; Genitive singular: точки; etc. The phrase 'точка опоры' remains invariant as a whole but inflects individually in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подпорка (podporca) - Similar, but often implies a temporary or auxiliary support.
  • основа (osnova) - More general, emphasizing a foundational element.
  • оплот (oplod) - Used for a stronghold or firm support, with a connotation of stability.
• Antonyms:
  • слабость (slabost') - Weakness, implying instability.
  • неустойчивость (neustojchivost') - Instability, opposite in the context of support.

Related Phrases:

• Точка опоры в жизни (Tochka opory v zhizni) - A pivotal point in life; refers to a key support or turning point in personal development.
• Быть опорой (Byt' oporoj) - To be a support; used for someone providing emotional or practical help.
• Опора системы (Opore sistemy) - Backbone of the system; metaphorical for a central element in an organization or structure.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations 'опора' and 'точка опоры' closely mirror the English 'fulcrum' in both literal and metaphorical senses, but 'опора' is more versatile and commonly used in everyday Russian. In formal or technical contexts, prefer 'точка опоры' for precision. Be aware of grammatical gender: 'опора' is feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., 'хорошая опора' for 'good support'). When choosing between translations, use 'опора' for general support and 'точка опоры' for specific physical or scientific applications. In spoken Russian, these words often appear in compound sentences or with prepositions like 'в' (in) or 'на' (on) to indicate location.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'опора' without proper case inflection, e.g., saying "я вижу опора" instead of "я вижу опору" (accusative case). Correct: Always inflect based on sentence role; explanation: Russian nouns change endings to show grammatical function, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing 'опора' with 'опера' (opera, as in music), leading to mispronunciation. Correct: 'Опора' is [ɐˈporə], not [ɐˈpʲerə]; explanation: Pay attention to the 'p' sound and context to avoid homophone errors.
• Mistake: Overusing 'точка опоры' in metaphorical contexts where 'опора' suffices, making speech sound overly formal. Correct: Use 'опора' for everyday metaphors; explanation: This can make language feel unnatural in casual conversations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of a 'fulcrum' or 'опора' often extends to themes of resilience and stability, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where personal 'opora' (support systems) symbolizes emotional strength during hardship. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on endurance through challenges, such as in wartime or economic shifts, making the term not just technical but a metaphor for societal pillars.

Related Concepts:

• рычаг (rychag) - Lever
• баланс (balans) - Balance
• устойчивость (ustojchivost') - Stability