Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Germanium'

English Word: Germanium

Key Russian Translations:

• германий [ɡʲɪrˈmanʲɪj] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in scientific, technical, or academic contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific terminology, suitable for learners with a basic grasp of Russian grammar and vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

германий: [ɡʲɪrˈmanʲɪj]

Note on германий: The stress falls on the third syllable ("man"), and the initial "г" is a voiced velar fricative, which may be challenging for English speakers accustomed to a hard "g" sound. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A chemical element with the atomic number 32, a metalloid used in electronics and semiconductors.

Translation(s) & Context:

• германий - Used in formal scientific, educational, or technical discussions, such as in chemistry textbooks or research papers.

Usage Examples:

• Германий часто используется в производстве полупроводников.

  Germanium is often used in the production of semiconductors.

• Атомный номер германия равен 32.

  The atomic number of germanium is 32.

• В химии германий классифицируется как металллоид.

  In chemistry, germanium is classified as a metalloid.

• Германий имеет важное значение в современной электронике.

  Germanium plays a significant role in modern electronics.

• Исследования свойства германия продолжаются в лабораториях по всему миру.

  Research on the properties of germanium continues in laboratories worldwide.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Германий" is a masculine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows regular noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a scientific term, it is often used in the nominative singular form, but inflections are applied in sentences requiring case agreement, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "о германии" for "about germanium").

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: No direct synonyms, as it is a specific element name. Related terms: кремний (kremniy) [silicon] - often used in similar contexts for comparison.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a proper noun for a chemical element.

Explanation: "Кремний" (silicon) is a near-synonym in the context of semiconductors but differs in properties; it is not an exact equivalent.

Related Phrases:

• Германий в полупроводниках - (Germanium in semiconductors) Refers to its application in electronic devices.
• Атом германия - (Atom of germanium) Used when discussing atomic structure in chemistry.
• Свойства германия - (Properties of germanium) Common in scientific discussions about its physical and chemical characteristics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "германий" directly corresponds to the English "Germanium" as a chemical element, maintaining a one-to-one translation in scientific contexts. It is always used in formal settings, such as academic papers or lectures, and should be capitalized when referring to the element specifically. Be cautious with gender agreement, as it is masculine, affecting adjectives and verbs (e.g., "германий твердый" for "Germanium is hard"). When multiple translations exist for related concepts, choose based on context; for general science, this is the standard term.

Common Errors:

• Error: Misusing the word as if it were feminine or neuter, e.g., saying "германия" in nominative when it should be "германий". Correct: Use "германий" for nominative singular. Explanation: Russian nouns have grammatical gender, and errors here can lead to agreement issues in sentences.

• Error: Confusing it with "Германия" (Germany, the country). Correct: In scientific contexts, always specify as "германий" to avoid ambiguity. Explanation: The similarity in spelling can cause mix-ups for beginners, but context clarifies the meaning.

• Error: Forgetting case inflections, e.g., using "германий" in genitive instead of "германия". Correct: Adjust for case, as in "свойства германия" (properties of germanium). Explanation: This is a common oversight for English speakers unfamiliar with Russian declensions, leading to grammatically incorrect sentences.

Cultural Notes:

"Германий" is named after Germany, reflecting historical contributions to chemistry, particularly by Clemens Winkler who discovered it in 1886. In Russian culture, it symbolizes scientific advancement and is often referenced in educational contexts to highlight international collaboration in science, without strong cultural connotations beyond its technical role.

Related Concepts:

• кремний (silicon)
• арсен (arsenic)
• полупроводник (semiconductor)