Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heterogeneous'

English Word: heterogeneous

Key Russian Translations:

• гетерогенный [ɡʲɪtʲɪrɐˈɡɛnnɨj] - [Formal, Scientific]
• неоднородный [nʲɪɐdnɐˈrodnɨj] - [Formal, Scientific, Used in technical or academic contexts]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and adjective declensions, though "гетерогенный" is a borrowed word that may be easier for learners with English exposure)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гетерогенный: [ɡʲɪtʲɪrɐˈɡɛnnɨj]

неоднородный: [nʲɪɐdnɐˈrodnɨj]

Note on гетерогенный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("gé-te-ro-GÉN-nyy"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce the 'г' as a voiced velar fricative.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients, elements, or constituents (e.g., in scientific or general contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• гетерогенный - Used in formal scientific writing, such as chemistry or physics, to describe mixtures or systems with varying components.
• неоднородный - Applied in broader technical contexts, emphasizing lack of uniformity, often in engineering or material science.

Usage Examples:

• Эта смесь гетерогенна, так как содержит разные вещества.

  This mixture is heterogeneous because it contains different substances.

• В гетерогенной среде бактерии развиваются по-разному.

  In a heterogeneous environment, bacteria develop differently.

• Неоднородный материал может иметь слабые точки в структуре.

  A heterogeneous material may have weak points in its structure.

• Гетерогенный коллектив сотрудников способствует инновациям.

  A heterogeneous group of employees promotes innovation.

• Неоднородная смесь требует тщательного анализа.

  A heterogeneous mixture requires thorough analysis.

Meaning 2: Diverse or varied in nature, often implying a lack of homogeneity in social or abstract contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• гетерогенный - Used metaphorically in social sciences, e.g., for diverse populations.
• неоднородный - Less common here, but applicable in discussions of social or cultural diversity.

Usage Examples:

• Гетерогенная аудитория конференции включала экспертов из разных стран.

  The heterogeneous audience of the conference included experts from various countries.

• Неоднородное общество сталкивается с вызовами интеграции.

  A heterogeneous society faces challenges of integration.

• В гетерогенной группе идей возникают креативные решения.

  In a heterogeneous group, creative solutions emerge from diverse ideas.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "гетерогенный" and "неоднородный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect according to gender, number, and case. They follow the standard first-declension adjective patterns, with some irregularities due to their borrowed nature.

Note: These adjectives do not change for feminine or neuter forms in a unique way; they follow general rules (e.g., add -ая for feminine singular). They are invariable in terms of stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разнородный (raznorodnyy) - Similar but often used for more general diversity.
  • неоднородный - As listed above, with slight emphasis on inconsistency.
• Antonyms:
  • гомогенный (gomogennyy) - Used for uniform or homogeneous substances.
  • однородный (odnorodnyy) - Common in everyday and scientific contexts for uniformity.

Related Phrases:

• гетерогенная смесь - A heterogeneous mixture; used in chemistry to describe non-uniform blends.
• неоднородная структура - A heterogeneous structure; refers to materials or systems with varying components.
• гетерогенный анализ - Heterogeneous analysis; a method in data science for diverse datasets.

Usage Notes:

"Гетерогенный" is a direct borrowing from English/Greek roots and is preferred in scientific contexts for precision, while "неоднородный" offers a more native Russian flavor and is versatile in technical writing. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify, unlike in English. For example, use "гетерогенная" for feminine nouns. Choose "гетерогенный" in international or academic settings, but "неоднородный" for broader Russian audiences to sound more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "гетерогенный" without proper declension, e.g., saying "гетерогенный женщина" instead of "гетерогенная женщина". Correct: Adjectives must agree, so it should be "гетерогенная женщина" for a feminine noun. This mistake arises from English's lack of declension.

• Error: Confusing with its antonym, e.g., using "гетерогенный" when "однородный" is meant. Correct: Double-check context; for uniform items, use "однородный смесь". Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in scientific descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "гетерогенный" and "неоднородный" reflect Russia's emphasis on scientific and engineering fields, influenced by historical ties to Soviet-era research. In Russian culture, diversity (as implied by these terms) is often discussed in the context of societal integration, especially in multi-ethnic regions, highlighting the balance between unity and variety.

Related Concepts:

• гомогенный
• смесь
• структура
• анализ