Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lens'

English Word: lens

Key Russian Translations:

• объектив [ɐbʲɪkˈtʲif] - [Formal, Used in photography and optics]
• линза [ˈlʲin.zə] - [Formal, Used in everyday optics like eyeglasses]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical and scientific contexts, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for линза; B2 for объектив, as it involves more specific vocabulary related to technology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

объектив: [ɐbʲɪkˈtʲif]

Note on объектив: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'b' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

линза: [ˈlʲin.zə]

Note on линза: The initial 'л' is palatalized; it sounds softer than in English, and the word is straightforward with stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A piece of glass or other transparent material with curved sides for concentrating or dispersing light rays (e.g., in eyeglasses or optical devices).

Translation(s) & Context:

• линза - Commonly used in contexts related to vision correction or basic optics, such as in medical or everyday settings.

Usage Examples:

• Эта линза в моих очках идеально корректирует зрение.

  This lens in my glasses perfectly corrects my vision.

• В оптическом магазине я выбрал линзу с антибликовым покрытием.

  At the optics store, I chose a lens with an anti-glare coating.

• Линза микроскопа позволяет увидеть мельчайшие детали.

  The lens of the microscope allows you to see the tiniest details.

• Из-за поврежденной линзы фотоаппарата снимки вышли размытыми.

  Because of the damaged lens on the camera, the photos came out blurry.

2. The lens of a camera or other photographic equipment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• объектив - Primarily used in professional or technical contexts, such as photography, videography, or scientific instruments.

Usage Examples:

• Профессиональный объектив камеры позволяет снимать в низком освещении.

  A professional camera lens allows shooting in low light.

• Я заменил объектив на фотоаппарате, чтобы улучшить качество фото.

  I replaced the lens on my camera to improve photo quality.

• Объектив с зумом полезен для съемки удаленных объектов.

  A zoom lens is useful for shooting distant objects.

• В студии фотограф настроил объектив для портретной съемки.

  In the studio, the photographer adjusted the lens for portrait shooting.

• Пыль на объективе испортила все кадры.

  Dust on the lens ruined all the shots.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'объектив' and 'линза' are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard masculine noun declension patterns. Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for each:

For 'объектив' (masc., 2nd declension):

For 'линза' (fem., 1st declension):

Note: These are regular declensions; no irregular forms for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for объектив: камерный объектив (camera lens, more specific), оптика (optics, broader term)
• Synonyms for линза: оптическая линза (optical lens), стекло (glass, in informal contexts)
• Antonyms for both: фильтр (filter, as it alters light differently)

Related Phrases:

• Сменный объектив - Interchangeable lens, used in photography to switch equipment quickly.
• Оптическая линза - Optical lens, referring to lenses in devices like telescopes or microscopes.
• Объектив с автофокусом - Autofocus lens, a common phrase in modern camera technology.

Usage Notes:

Use 'объектив' for contexts involving cameras or professional optics, as it directly corresponds to the technical sense of 'lens' in English. 'Линза' is more versatile and fits everyday items like eyeglasses, but avoid it in purely photographic discussions to prevent confusion. In formal writing, both are neutral, but 'объектив' may require more precise grammatical agreement due to its masculine gender. When choosing between translations, consider the context: if it's about vision, opt for 'линза'; for photography, use 'объектив'.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'объектив' with 'линза' and use 'линза' for camera lenses, which sounds incorrect. Correct: "Купить объектив для камеры" (Buy a lens for the camera) instead of "Купить линзу для камеры". Explanation: 'Линза' implies a simpler optical element, not specifically for imaging devices.
• Another error is incorrect declension, e.g., saying "в объектив" instead of "в объективе" in prepositional case. Correct form: "Фотография через объективе" should be "Фотография через объектив". Explanation: Always match the case to the sentence structure to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'объектив' is often associated with photography and cinematography, which have a rich history in Russia, from early Soviet films to modern digital photography. For instance, Russian photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson influenced global practices, emphasizing the 'объектив' as a tool for capturing truth, reflecting a cultural value on realism in art.

Related Concepts:

• камера
• оптика
• фокус