Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gasoline'

English Word: gasoline

Key Russian Translations:

• бензин [ˈbɛnzʲɪn] - [Formal, Commonly used in everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly encountered in daily conversations, media, and technical discussions in Russian-speaking regions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp it easily as it's a straightforward noun, but understanding its inflections requires basic knowledge of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бензин: [ˈbɛnzʲɪn]

Note on бензин: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'з' sound is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation of бензин

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A flammable liquid used as fuel for internal combustion engines.

Translation(s) & Context:

• бензин - Used in general contexts for automotive fuel, such as at gas stations or in discussions about vehicles.

Usage Examples:

• Я заправил машину бензином на заправке. (Ya zapravil mashinu benzinyom na zapravke.)

  I filled up the car with gasoline at the gas station. (This example shows the word in a routine daily context involving vehicles.)

• Цена на бензин выросла из-за повышения налогов. (Tsena na benziny povysilas' iz-za povysheniya nalogov.)

  The price of gasoline has increased due to higher taxes. (This demonstrates usage in economic or news-related discussions.)

• В этой стране бензин дешевле, чем в Европе. (V etoy strane benziny deshevye, chem v Evrope.)

  In this country, gasoline is cheaper than in Europe. (Here, it's used for comparisons in international contexts.)

• Механик проверил уровень бензина в баке. (Mekhanik proveril uroven' bbenzina v bake.)

  The mechanic checked the gasoline level in the tank. (This example illustrates technical or maintenance scenarios.)

• Без бензина автомобиль не заведется. (Bez bbenzina avtomobil' ne zavedyotsya.)

  Without gasoline, the car won't start. (This shows a hypothetical or explanatory context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бензин" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural forms are rarely used, as "бензин" typically refers to the substance in general. It does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • бенз (informal variant, often used in spoken language for brevity)
  • автобензин (specifically for automotive use, with a slight emphasis on context)
• Antonyms:
  • дизель (diesel fuel; used for vehicles that don't run on gasoline)
  • газ (gas, as in natural gas for alternative fuels)

Related Phrases:

• Заправить бензином (Zapravit' benzinyom) - To fill up with gasoline; Common in contexts involving refueling vehicles.
• Бензиновая заправка (Benzinovaya zapravka) - Gasoline station; Refers to a place where fuel is sold.
• Подешеветь бензин (Podeshevet' benziny) - For gasoline to become cheaper; Used in economic discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Бензин" directly corresponds to "gasoline" in English and is the standard term in Russian for this fuel type. It is neutral and formal, suitable for all contexts, but avoid using it in highly technical discussions where specifics like octane rating might require additional terms. In informal speech, slight variations like "бенз" may occur, but "бензин" is preferred for clarity. When discussing prices or availability, it's often used with prepositions like "на" (on) or "в" (in), e.g., "цена на бензин." Choose this over synonyms based on the formality of the situation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "бензин" with "дизель" and using it for diesel fuel. Correct: Use "дизель" for diesel. Example of error: "Я заправил дизельным автомобилем бензином" (incorrectly implying gasoline in a diesel car). Correct usage: "Я заправил бензиновым автомобилем бензином." Explanation: This mistake can lead to mechanical issues, so learners should pay attention to fuel types.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: Adjust for case, as in "уровень бензина" (genitive). Example of error: "Проверить бензин" instead of "Проверить бензин" (which is actually correct in accusative, but misuse in other cases like "в бензин" instead of "в бензине"). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking countries, "бензин" is a everyday term tied to automotive culture, especially in urban areas where traffic and fuel prices are frequent topics of conversation. During economic fluctuations, discussions about gasoline prices often reflect broader issues like government policies or global oil markets, highlighting its role in daily life rather than any deep cultural symbolism.

Related Concepts:

• автомобиль (avtomobil') - Car
• заправка (zapravka) - Gas station
• двигатель (dvigatel') - Engine