Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'maximum'

English Word: maximum

Key Russian Translations:

• максимум [mɐkˈsʲimʊm] - [Formal, used in general and technical contexts]

Frequency: High (commonly used in everyday language, business, and scientific discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun declensions and common vocabulary; learners at this level can grasp its usage with practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

максимум: [mɐkˈsʲimʊm]

Note on максимум: The stress is on the third syllable ('sʲim'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'sʲ' sound. Pronounce it with a soft 's' as in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The greatest possible amount, quantity, or degree.

Translation(s) & Context:

• максимум - Used in formal and informal contexts to denote the highest limit, such as in measurements or achievements.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В этом году мы достигли максимума в производстве.

  English: This year, we reached the maximum in production.

• Русский: Максимум скорости автомобиля составляет 200 км/ч.

  English: The maximum speed of the car is 200 km/h.

• Русский: Для успеха нужно приложить максимум усилий.

  English: For success, you need to put in the maximum effort.

• Русский: В магазине есть лимит на максимум покупок в день.

  English: In the store, there's a limit on the maximum purchases per day.

Meaning 2: In mathematics or statistics, the highest value in a set.

Translation(s) & Context:

• максимум - Applied in technical or academic contexts, often in data analysis or functions.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В функции x^2 максимум достигается при x=0.

  English: In the function x^2, the maximum is reached at x=0.

• Русский: Статистический максимум данных - это наивысшее значение.

  English: The statistical maximum of the data is the highest value.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Максимум" is a masculine noun in Russian and follows standard declension patterns for nouns ending in a consonant. It is not indeclinable and changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and used when discussing multiple maxima, such as in scientific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вершина (peak; implies a high point in a metaphorical sense)
  • наивысший предел (highest limit; more descriptive and formal)
• Antonyms:
  • минимум (minimum; directly opposite in value or degree)

Related Phrases:

• Достичь максимума - To reach the maximum; used in goal-setting or performance contexts.
• Максимум возможностей - Maximum opportunities; common in motivational or business language.
• На грани максимума - On the brink of the maximum; implies a critical or intense situation.

Usage Notes:

"Максимум" directly corresponds to the English "maximum" as a noun and is versatile across formal and informal settings. It is often used in quantitative discussions, but be cautious with grammatical gender and case agreements in sentences. For instance, when selecting between synonyms like "вершина," choose based on context—use "максимум" for precise measurements and "вершина" for metaphorical peaks. In spoken Russian, it's common in phrases like business reports or daily conversations about limits.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "максимум" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "Я видел максимум" instead of "Я видел максимум" in accusative, but forgetting context (correct: "Я достиг максимума").

  Correct Usage: "Я достиг максимума усилий." (I reached the maximum effort.) Explanation: Always adjust for case; here, genitive is needed after verbs like "достичь."

• Error: Confusing with "минимум," e.g., using "максимум" when meaning the opposite.

  Correct Usage: If you mean the lowest value, use "минимум" instead of "максимум." Explanation: This mix-up can alter the sentence's meaning entirely, so double-check the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "максимум" often appears in contexts emphasizing efficiency and achievement, such as in Soviet-era engineering or modern business discussions. It reflects a cultural value on optimization and pushing limits, but it doesn't carry strong historical connotations unless used in technical fields like mathematics or economics.

Related Concepts:

• минимум
• среднее
• вершина