Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incline'

English Word: incline

Key Russian Translations:

• наклон [nɐˈkɫon] - [Noun, Formal, Singular]
• наклонять [nɐˈkɫonʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Infinitive]
• склон [ˈskɫon] - [Noun, Informal, Singular, Often used in geographical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, geographical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge. For 'наклонять', it may be B2 due to verb conjugation complexities.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наклон: [nɐˈkɫon]

наклонять: [nɐˈkɫonʲɪtʲ]

склон: [ˈskɫon]

Note on наклонять: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun (a slope or inclined surface)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наклон - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing physical slopes in engineering or geography.
• склон - More informal, often referring to natural hillsides or inclines in everyday conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: "Гора имеет крутой наклон, что делает её опасной для восхождения."

  English translation: "The mountain has a steep incline, making it dangerous for climbing."

• Русский пример: "Мы спустились по склону холма, наслаждаясь видом."

  English translation: "We descended the incline of the hill, enjoying the view."

• Русский пример: "Инженеры измерили наклон дороги для обеспечения безопасности."

  English translation: "The engineers measured the incline of the road for safety purposes."

• Русский пример: "Склон в парке идеален для катания на санках зимой."

  English translation: "The incline in the park is perfect for sledding in winter."

• Русский пример: "Из-за сильного наклона почвы здесь часто происходят оползни."

  English translation: "Due to the strong incline of the soil, landslides often occur here."

As a verb (to slope or to tend toward)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наклонять - Used for actively causing something to incline, in formal or technical settings, often with objects.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: "Он наклонил голову, чтобы лучше услышать собеседника."

  English translation: "He inclined his head to hear the speaker better."

• Русский пример: "Водитель наклонил руль, чтобы объехать препятствие."

  English translation: "The driver inclined the steering wheel to avoid the obstacle."

• Русский пример: "Ветер наклоняет деревья в сторону озера."

  English translation: "The wind inclines the trees toward the lake."

• Русский пример: "Инженер наклонил поверхность для улучшения дренажа."

  English translation: "The engineer inclined the surface to improve drainage."

• Русский пример: "Мои взгляды склоняются к твоему предложению после обсуждения."

  English translation: "My opinions are inclining toward your suggestion after the discussion."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'наклон' (noun, masculine): It follows the standard first declension pattern for masculine nouns.

For 'наклонять' (verb, imperfective): It is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns.

For 'склон' (noun, masculine): Similar to 'наклон', it is invariable in some contexts but follows standard declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Уклон (slight variation, often used for angles in physics)
  • Скос (more specific to cut slopes)
• Antonyms:
  • Горизонт (flat surface)
  • Прямой (straight, for lines or paths)

Related Phrases:

• Крутые склоны - "Steep inclines" (Used in hiking or mountaineering contexts to describe challenging terrain.)
• Наклонять голову - "To incline one's head" (A gesture of respect or attention in social interactions.)
• Склон горы - "Mountainside incline" (Common in descriptions of landscapes.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'наклон' is a direct equivalent for the noun form of 'incline' in physical contexts, while 'наклонять' matches the verb form for actions involving tilting. Be mindful of context: use 'склон' for natural landscapes to sound more natural. These words are neutral in formality but can vary by region; in formal writing, pair them with prepositions like 'по склону' (down the incline). When choosing between translations, opt for 'наклон' in technical scenarios and 'склон' in everyday ones.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'наклон' without proper declension, e.g., saying "на склону" instead of "на склоне". Correct: Always decline based on case, as in "на склоне горы". Explanation: Russian nouns change endings, so ignoring declension can lead to grammatical errors.
• Mistake: Confusing 'наклонять' with 'наклоняться' (reflexive form). Correct: Use 'наклонять' for transitive actions and 'наклоняться' for intransitive ones, e.g., "Я наклоняю книгу" vs. "Книга наклоняется". Explanation: English speakers often overlook reflexivity in Russian verbs.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, inclines like 'склон' are often romanticized in literature, such as in descriptions of the Russian countryside in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, symbolizing life's ups and downs or the vastness of the landscape. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for nature's challenges.

Related Concepts:

• Гора (mountain)
• Долина (valley)
• Угол (angle)