Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'limestone'

English Word: limestone

Key Russian Translations:

• известняк [ˈizvʲɪstnʲɪk] - [Neutral; Used in geological and scientific contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specialized fields like geology, construction, or education.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and basic noun inflections in Russian, suitable for learners with intermediate proficiency.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

известняк: [ˈizvʲɪstnʲɪk]

Note on известняк: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' (like in 'fresh'), which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, often used in construction or as a raw material.

Translation(s) & Context:

• известняк - Used in formal scientific, geological, or industrial contexts to describe the rock type, such as in academic papers or field reports.

Usage Examples:

• В горах мы нашли большие залежи известняка.

  In the mountains, we found large deposits of limestone.

• Известняк часто используется в строительстве для производства цемента.

  Limestone is often used in construction for producing cement.

• Этот регион богат ископаемыми, включая известняк и мрамор.

  This region is rich in minerals, including limestone and marble.

• Геологи изучают, как известняк формируется в океанских отложениях.

  Geologists study how limestone forms in oceanic deposits.

• В музее есть экспонаты, показывающие эрозию известняка под действием воды.

  In the museum, there are exhibits showing the erosion of limestone due to water.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Известняк" is a masculine noun in Russian (third declension). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is regular in its inflections, with no irregularities, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вапняк (vapnyak) - A more archaic or regional variant, often used in Eastern Slavic contexts with similar meaning.
  • известковый камень (izvestkovyy kamen') - Literally "lime stone," used interchangeably in descriptive contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • гранит (granit) - Represents a harder, igneous rock, contrasting with the sedimentary nature of limestone.

Related Phrases:

• Добыча известняка (Dobyicha izvestnyaka) - Mining of limestone; Refers to the extraction process in industrial settings.
• Известняковые породы (Izvestnyakovye porody) - Limestone rocks; Used to describe geological formations.
• Эрозия известняка (Eroziya izvestnyaka) - Erosion of limestone; Common in discussions of natural weathering.

Usage Notes:

"Известняк" directly corresponds to "limestone" in English and is the most accurate translation for scientific and technical contexts. It is a neutral, formal term, primarily used in written or professional language rather than casual speech. When choosing between synonyms like "вапняк," opt for "известняк" in modern standard Russian for clarity. Be mindful of noun cases in sentences; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like "из" (from). English learners should note that Russian often pairs this word with adjectives for specificity, such as "меловой известняк" (chalky limestone).

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: *Известняк есть в реке (using nominative where genitive is needed).

  Correct: Известняка нет в реке (Genitive form for negation or possession).

  Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case after negative verbs or in certain prepositional phrases, which English speakers might overlook, leading to grammatical errors.

• Incorrect: *Я вижу известняком (misusing instrumental case).

  Correct: Я вижу известняк (Accusative for direct object).

  Explanation: Confusing cases is common; ensure the context dictates the correct form to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, limestone has been significant in architecture and industry, as seen in the construction of iconic structures like the Moscow Kremlin, which uses limestone in its foundations. This reflects Russia's rich geological heritage and its role in national development, symbolizing durability and natural resources in literature and folklore.

Related Concepts:

• мрамор (mramor) - Marble
• песчаник (peschanik) - Sandstone
• геология (geologiya) - Geology