Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mathematician'

English Word: mathematician

Key Russian Translations:

• математик [mətʲɪˈmatʲɪk] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly used in academic, scientific, and educational contexts but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, as it involves understanding specialized vocabulary and basic noun inflections, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

математик: [mətʲɪˈmatʲɪk]

Note on математик: The stress falls on the third syllable ("matʲɪk"), and the palatalized 't' sound (ʲ) can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, rolling quality typical of Russian consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A person who specializes in mathematics, often involved in research or teaching.

Translation(s) & Context:

• математик - Used in formal and professional contexts, such as academic discussions or biographies, to refer to someone who studies or works in mathematics.

Usage Examples:

• Этот великий математик внес огромный вклад в теорию чисел.

  This great mathematician made a huge contribution to number theory.

• Моя сестра — талантливый математик, она работает в университете.

  My sister is a talented mathematician; she works at the university.

• В музее есть экспозиция, посвященная известным математикам России.

  In the museum, there is an exhibition dedicated to famous mathematicians of Russia.

• Молодой математик представил свою теорию на международной конференции.

  The young mathematician presented his theory at an international conference.

• Без помощи математика невозможно решить эту сложную задачу.

  Without the help of a mathematician, it's impossible to solve this complex problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Математик" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not change in gender but must agree with adjectives and verbs based on case and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ученый в области математики (scientist in the field of mathematics) - More descriptive, used when emphasizing the scientific aspect.
  • математик-исследователь (mathematician-researcher) - Highlights research-oriented roles.
• Antonyms:
  • неуч (ignoramus) - Informal, implies a lack of knowledge, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Великий математик - Great mathematician (Used in historical or biographical contexts to praise significant figures like Euler or Lobachevsky.)
• Математик по профессии - Mathematician by profession (Common in job descriptions or resumes.)
• Известный математик - Famous mathematician (Often used in media or educational discussions.)

Usage Notes:

• The Russian word "математик" directly corresponds to "mathematician" in English, but it is more formal and typically implies a professional or academic role. Use it in contexts where the person's expertise in mathematics is central, such as in scientific papers or educational settings.
• Be mindful of gender agreement: In Russian, "математик" is masculine, so if referring to a female mathematician, you might use "математик" with feminine adjectives (e.g., "талантливая математик" for "talented mathematician"), though it's grammatically correct as is.
• When choosing between translations, "математик" is the standard; avoid "математик-исследователь" unless emphasizing research.
• In casual speech, Russians might simply say "он математик" (he is a mathematician) without additional context.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "математик" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я видел математик" instead of "Я видел математика" (Accusative case). Correct: Always ensure case agreement with the sentence structure. Explanation: Russian nouns change based on their role in the sentence, so learners must practice declensions.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "математика" (the field of mathematics), e.g., saying "Она изучает математик" instead of "Она изучает математику." Correct: "Математик" refers to a person, while "математика" is the noun for the subject. Explanation: This is a common mix-up for beginners due to similar roots.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, mathematicians like Nikolai Lobachevsky and Andrey Kolmogorov are national heroes, symbolizing intellectual prowess during the Soviet era. The term "математик" often carries a sense of prestige, reflecting Russia's strong tradition in mathematics and science, which is evident in educational systems and popular media.

Related Concepts:

• физик (physicist)
• химик (chemist)
• астронавт (astronaut)