Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'horsepower'

English Word: horsepower

Key Russian Translations:

• лошадиная сила [lɐˈʂadʲɪnəjə ˈsʲiɫə] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical and engineering contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of technical vocabulary and basic Russian grammar for correct usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

лошадиная сила: [lɐˈʂadʲɪnəjə ˈsʲiɫə]

Note on лошадиная сила: The stress falls on the second syllable of "сила" [ˈsʲiɫə]. Be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: A unit of power equal to 746 watts, often used to measure engine or motor strength.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лошадиная сила - Used in technical, engineering, or automotive contexts to denote power output; formal and precise in scientific discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Эта машина имеет 200 лошадиных сил и развивает высокую скорость.

  This car has 200 horsepower and reaches high speeds.

• Мотоцикл с 150 лошадиными силами идеален для скоростных трасс.

  A motorcycle with 150 horsepower is ideal for speed tracks.

• Инженеры измеряют мощность двигателя в лошадиных силах для сравнения моделей.

  Engineers measure engine power in horsepower to compare models.

• В старых документах мощность паровых машин указывалась в лошадиных силах.

  In old documents, the power of steam engines was indicated in horsepower.

• Современные электромобили часто превышают 300 лошадиных сил без традиционных двигателей.

  Modern electric cars often exceed 300 horsepower without traditional engines.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лошадиная сила" is a noun phrase where "сила" (force/power) is a feminine noun and "лошадиная" is an adjective. It follows standard Russian inflection patterns for adjectives and nouns.

For "сила" (feminine singular noun):

For the adjective "лошадиная", it agrees with "сила" and changes as follows (in nominative case for illustration):

• Singular: лошадиная сила (feminine)
• Plural: лошадиные силы (e.g., in contexts discussing multiple units)

The phrase is invariant in most uses but must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: мощность (mɐʂnəsʲtʲ) - Often used interchangeably in engineering; slightly more general term for power.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "лошадиная сила" is a specific unit rather than a conceptual opposite.

Related Phrases:

• лошадиные силы двигателя - Engine horsepower; used in automotive contexts to specify vehicle performance.
• расчет лошадиных сил - Calculation of horsepower; common in engineering calculations.
• максимальная лошадиная сила - Maximum horsepower; refers to peak power output in machinery.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "лошадиная сила" directly corresponds to the English "horsepower" as a unit of measurement, derived from James Watt's original definition. It is primarily used in formal or technical settings, such as engineering reports or automotive specifications. Avoid using it in casual conversation; opt for more general terms like "мощность" if discussing power abstractly. When translating, ensure agreement in number and case—e.g., use plural "лошадиные силы" for multiple units. Choose this term over synonyms when precision is needed in scientific contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "лошадиная сила" with "ватт" (watt) and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: Эта машина имеет 200 ватт (This car has 200 watts). Correct: Эта машина имеет 200 лошадиных сил (This car has 200 horsepower). Explanation: "Лошадиная сила" specifically measures power in a historical unit, while "ватт" is the SI unit; mixing them can lead to inaccurate technical descriptions.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, such as using nominative in all contexts. Incorrect: О машине с силой 200 лошадиных (About a car with power of 200 horsepower). Correct: О машине с силой в 200 лошадиных сил (About a car with power of 200 horsepower). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case; here, genitive is needed after prepositions like "с".

Cultural Notes:

The term "лошадиная сила" originates from James Watt's 18th-century experiments with steam engines, where he compared engine power to that of draft horses. In Russian culture, it reflects the historical influence of Western industrialization, often appearing in discussions of automotive history or engineering advancements, symbolizing human ingenuity in harnessing mechanical power.

Related Concepts:

• ватт (watt)
• мощность (power)
• энергия (energy)