Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'longitude'

English Word: longitude

Key Russian Translations:

• долгота [dɐlˈɡotə] - [Formal, used in scientific and geographical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in geography, navigation, and academic discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; learners need basic understanding of Russian nouns and scientific terms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

долгота: [dɐlˈɡotə]

Note on долгота: The stress falls on the second syllable ("го"). Pronunciation may vary slightly by regional accent, but this is the standard Moscow-based variant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Geographical coordinate (the angular distance of a place east or west of the Prime Meridian)

Translation(s) & Context:

• долгота - Typically used in formal contexts like maps, GPS systems, or scientific discussions to denote east-west positioning on the Earth's surface.

Usage Examples:

• Москва расположена на 55°45' северной долготы.

  Moscow is located at 55°45' north longitude. (This example shows the word in a basic geographical description.)

• Для точного навигации нужно знать долготу и широту места.

  For accurate navigation, you need to know the longitude and latitude of the place. (Here, it demonstrates usage in a practical, technical context.)

• Географы изучают долготу, чтобы понять распределение климатических зон.

  Geographers study longitude to understand the distribution of climate zones. (This illustrates the word in an academic or scientific sentence.)

• В GPS-устройстве отображаются долгота, широта и высота.

  In a GPS device, longitude, latitude, and altitude are displayed. (This example shows modern technological application.)

• Исторически долгота была труднее определить, чем широта.

  Historically, longitude was harder to determine than latitude. (This provides a historical context, highlighting the word in narrative usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

долгота is a feminine noun (third declension) and follows standard Russian noun inflection patterns. It is invariable in form for most uses but changes by case, number, and gender agreement. Below is a table of its primary inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, but pay attention to the soft sign (ь) in certain cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • географическая долгота (geographical longitude; more descriptive, used in formal writing to specify context)
  • меридианная координата (meridional coordinate; a technical synonym in advanced geography)
• Antonyms:
  • широта (latitude; directly contrasts with longitude in spatial coordinates)

Related Phrases:

• географическая долгота - Geographical longitude; used in mapping and educational contexts to specify the type of longitude.
• нулевая долгота - Prime Meridian; refers to the line of 0° longitude, often in historical or navigational discussions.
• определение долготы - Determination of longitude; a phrase common in navigation history, e.g., related to early explorers.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "долгота" directly corresponds to the English "longitude" in geographical contexts, but it is always used with qualifiers like "северная" (north) or "восточная" (east) for precision. It is a formal term, so avoid it in casual conversations; opt for simpler explanations in everyday speech. Grammatically, it must agree in case with other elements in the sentence, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "на долготе 55°"). When choosing between translations, "долгота" is the most straightforward, but in scientific texts, "географическая долгота" adds clarity. English learners should note that Russian does not use articles, so no need for "the" before it.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "долгота" with "широта" (latitude): English learners often mix these up. Incorrect: "Москва на 55° долготы" (implying latitude). Correct: "Москва на 55°45' северной долготы" to specify it's longitude. Explanation: Always pair with directional indicators to avoid ambiguity.

• Using the wrong case: For example, saying "изучить долгота" instead of "изучить долготу" (accusative case). Incorrect: "Я изучаю долгота." Correct: "Я изучаю долготу." Explanation: Russian verbs of motion or study require the accusative case for direct objects.

• Omitting necessary qualifiers: Saying "долгота Москвы" without specifying degrees, e.g., "55°45'". Incorrect: "Долгота Москвы - 55." Correct: "Долгота Москвы - 55°45' восточной." Explanation: In Russian, geographical coordinates need full specification for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "долгота" gained significance during the Age of Exploration, as determining longitude was a major challenge for sailors and scientists. For instance, the establishment of the Prime Meridian in Greenwich influenced Russian navigation, leading to its adoption in Russian cartography. This term embodies the intersection of science and exploration in Russian intellectual history, often highlighted in literature like that of early 20th-century Russian geographers.

Related Concepts:

• широта (latitude)
• координаты (coordinates)
• меридиан (meridian)