Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'latitude'

English Word: latitude

Key Russian Translations:

• широта (/ʂɨˈrotə/) - [Formal, Neutral; Used in geographical and scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, navigational, and scientific discussions, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 level; Requires understanding of basic geography vocabulary and Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

широта: /ʂɨˈrotə/

Note on широта: The initial "ш" is a voiceless retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like the "sh" in "shoe" but with a more curled tongue. Variations may occur based on regional accents, such as in standard Moscow Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A geographical coordinate specifying the north-south position on Earth's surface

Translation(s) & Context:

• широта - Used in formal contexts like maps, navigation, or scientific discussions to refer to the angular distance north or south of the equator.

Usage Examples:

• Географическая широта Москвы составляет около 55,75 градусов северной широты.

  The geographical latitude of Moscow is approximately 55.75 degrees north latitude.

• Для точного расчета погоды учёные учитывают широту и долготу местности.

  For accurate weather calculations, scientists take into account the latitude and longitude of the area.

• В экваториальных регионах широта влияет на климат, делая его более влажным.

  In equatorial regions, latitude influences the climate, making it more humid.

• Путешественники всегда проверяют широту перед планированием маршрута.

  Travelers always check the latitude before planning their route.

• Измерение широты с помощью звёзд было распространено в древней навигации.

  Measuring latitude using stars was common in ancient navigation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Широта" is a feminine noun (feminine gender in Russian). It follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -а. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • параллель (parallel; used in older or poetic contexts to refer to lines of latitude)
  • широтная линия (latitude line; more descriptive term in technical discussions)
  Note: "Параллель" emphasizes the parallel lines on a map, while "широта" is more general.
• Antonyms:
  • долгота (longitude; refers to the east-west position)

Related Phrases:

• географическая широта - Geographical latitude; Used in mapping and location services.
• северная широта - Northern latitude; Refers to areas north of the equator.
• южная широта - Southern latitude; Refers to areas south of the equator.
• линия широты - Line of latitude; Common in navigation contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "широта" directly corresponds to the English "latitude" in geographical contexts and is typically used in formal or technical settings. It is a neutrally gendered noun, so ensure proper agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "широта является важной" for "latitude is important"). When discussing multiple locations, be mindful of plural forms. For English speakers, note that Russian often pairs "широта" with "долгота" (longitude) in coordinates, similar to English, but the word order might vary in sentences for emphasis.

• Choose "широта" over synonyms like "параллель" for modern, precise communication.
• In casual conversation, this term is rare; opt for it in educational or professional scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "широта" with "долгота": English learners often mix up latitude and longitude. Error: Saying "широта Лондона 0 градусов" (incorrectly implying London is on the equator). Correct: "Широта Лондона около 51,5 градусов северной широты." Explanation: Always specify "северная" or "южная" for clarity, as Russian requires this for context.
• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the case, e.g., using "широта" in genitive contexts. Error: "Измерение широта" (wrong). Correct: "Измерение широты" (genitive form). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with the sentence structure; practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "широта" is often discussed in the context of Russia's vast geographical expanse, spanning from high northern latitudes (e.g., Siberia) to more southern areas. This reflects historical exploration and the country's role in global navigation, such as during the era of Peter the Great's reforms, where accurate latitude measurements aided in mapping the empire.

Related Concepts:

• долгота (longitude)
• меридиан (meridian)
• экватор (equator)
• координаты (coordinates)