Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laboratory'

English Word: laboratory

Key Russian Translations:

• лаборатория /lɐ.bɐ.rɐ.'to.rʲɪ.jə/ - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, educational, and professional contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, according to CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

лаборатория: /lɐ.bɐ.rɐ.'to.rʲɪ.jə/

Note on лаборатория: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('to.rʲɪ.jə). Be mindful of the soft 'рʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching.

Translation(s) & Context:

• лаборатория - Used in formal scientific, educational, medical, or industrial contexts to refer to a dedicated space for experiments and research.

Usage Examples:

• Я работаю в лаборатории университета.

  I work in the university laboratory.

• В этой лаборатории проводят эксперименты по биологии.

  In this laboratory, they conduct biology experiments.

• Лаборатория оснащена современным оборудованием для исследований.

  The laboratory is equipped with modern equipment for research.

• Студенты посещают лабораторию два раза в неделю.

  Students visit the laboratory twice a week.

• В лаборатории произошёл несчастный случай из-за неосторожности.

  An accident occurred in the laboratory due to carelessness.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Лаборатория" is a feminine noun of the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This is a regular first-declension noun, so it does not have irregular forms. Always adjust for gender agreement in adjectives and verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • лаборатор - A less common variant, often used in technical contexts to mean a laboratory space.
  • исследовательская база - Implies a more expansive research facility; used when emphasizing broader operations.
• Antonyms:
  • офис - Refers to an office, contrasting with the experimental nature of a laboratory.
  • библиотека - Means library, highlighting a space for reading rather than experimentation.

Related Phrases:

• химическая лаборатория - Chemical laboratory; used in contexts involving chemistry experiments.
• медицинская лаборатория - Medical laboratory; refers to facilities for medical testing and diagnostics.
• исследовательская лаборатория - Research laboratory; emphasizes scientific inquiry and development.
• лабораторный эксперимент - Laboratory experiment; a common phrase for hands-on scientific activities.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "лаборатория" directly corresponds to "laboratory" in English and is used in formal settings like science, education, and industry. It is a feminine noun, so ensure agreement with adjectives (e.g., "большая лаборатория" for "big laboratory"). In everyday speech, Russians might use it interchangeably with English loanwords in professional environments, but always opt for the full Russian form in written or formal contexts. When choosing among translations, "лаборатория" is the most straightforward; avoid variants like "лаб" in serious discussions as it may sound informal or abbreviated.

• Contextual tip: In scientific writing, pair it with prepositions like "в лаборатории" (in the laboratory) for locative expressions.
• Grammar note: Remember declension for correct sentence structure, e.g., "Я посетил лабораторию" (I visited the laboratory).

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse cases when describing locations or possessions. For example:

• Error: Saying "Я имею лаборатория" (incorrect genitive usage).
  Correct: "У меня есть лаборатория" (I have a laboratory). Explanation: Use the nominative after "есть" for possession.
• Error: Incorrect plural form, e.g., "лаборатория" instead of "лаборатории" in plural contexts.
  Correct: "В городе несколько лабораторий" (There are several laboratories in the city). Explanation: Always decline based on the sentence's grammatical role to avoid confusion.
• Error: Forgetting gender agreement, e.g., "большой лаборатория" instead of "большая лаборатория".
  Correct: "большая лаборатория" (big laboratory). Explanation: Adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, laboratories hold significant historical importance due to Russia's contributions to science, such as in space exploration and physics. For instance, the word "лаборатория" evokes images of iconic figures like Dmitri Mendeleev, who worked in chemical labs. It symbolizes innovation and intellectual pursuit, often featured in literature and media as a hub of discovery, reflecting Russia's emphasis on STEM education.

Related Concepts:

• учёный (scientist)
• эксперимент (experiment)
• исследование (research)
• научный (scientific)