Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mercury'

English Word: mercury

Key Russian Translations:

• Ртуть [ʀˈtuʲtʲ] - [Formal, used in scientific contexts]
• Меркурий [mʲɪrˈkurʲɪj] - [Formal, specifically for the planet]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in scientific, educational, and everyday contexts, but not in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic scientific vocabulary and noun inflections; for Меркурий, it may be A2 for beginners familiar with astronomy)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Ртуть: [ʀˈtuʲtʲ]

Note on Ртуть: The initial 'р' is a trilled alveolar sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: Play audio for Ртуть

Меркурий: [mʲɪrˈkurʲɪj]

Note on Меркурий: The 'й' at the end is a soft palatal approximant; stress is on the third syllable, common in proper nouns.

Audio: Play audio for Меркурий

Meanings and Usage:

The chemical element mercury (liquid metal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Ртуть - Used in scientific, medical, or industrial contexts, such as describing the element in thermometers or chemistry.

Usage Examples:

• В термометре используется ртуть для измерения температуры.

  In a thermometer, mercury is used to measure temperature.

• Ртуть — это токсичный элемент, который требует осторожного обращения.

  Mercury is a toxic element that requires careful handling.

• В лаборатории мы изучаем свойства ртути в различных условиях.

  In the laboratory, we study the properties of mercury under various conditions.

• Ртуть может испаряться при комнатной температуре, что делает её опасной.

  Mercury can evaporate at room temperature, making it hazardous.

• Современные термометры заменяют ртуть на более безопасные материалы.

  Modern thermometers are replacing mercury with safer materials.

The planet Mercury (in astronomy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Меркурий - Used in astronomical or educational contexts, referring to the planet closest to the Sun.

Usage Examples:

• Меркурий — это самая близкая к Солнцу планета в нашей солнечной системе.

  Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun in our solar system.

• Астрономы изучают орбиту Меркурия для понимания гравитации.

  Astronomers study Mercury's orbit to understand gravity.

• Меркурий имеет экстремальные температуры из-за своей близости к Солнцу.

  Mercury has extreme temperatures due to its proximity to the Sun.

• В школьном уроке мы обсуждали, почему Меркурий не имеет атмосферы.

  In the school lesson, we discussed why Mercury has no atmosphere.

• Меркурий виден на небе только в сумерках или на рассвете.

  Mercury is visible in the sky only at dusk or dawn.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Ртуть" and "Меркурий" are feminine nouns in Russian, which follow standard noun inflection patterns. "Ртуть" is a common noun, while "Меркурий" is often treated as a proper noun but can inflect in certain contexts.

For "Ртуть" (feminine, 3rd declension):

For "Меркурий" (feminine, but less commonly inflected as a proper noun):

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but follow regular declension rules with some irregularities in plural forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Ртуть: Гуттаперча (for similar liquid metals, though not exact)
  • Меркурий: Планета Меркурий (more descriptive synonym in astronomical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • For Ртуть: No direct antonyms, as it's a specific element.
  • For Меркурий: Юпитер (Jupiter, as a contrasting large planet)

Related Phrases:

• Ртуть в термометре - Refers to mercury used in thermometers, common in medical or everyday contexts.
• Токсичность ртути - Describes the toxicity of mercury, often discussed in environmental science.
• Орбита Меркурия - Means the orbit of Mercury, used in astronomy lessons.
• Поверхность Меркурия - Refers to the surface of Mercury, highlighting its rocky features.

Usage Notes:

"Mercury" translates to "Ртуть" for the chemical element and "Меркурий" for the planet. Use "Ртуть" in formal scientific or technical discussions, as it is precise and common in Russian educational materials. "Меркурий" is reserved for astronomical contexts and should be capitalized when referring to the planet. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences; for example, adjectives must agree with the feminine noun. When choosing between translations, consider the context: scientific vs. cosmic. In everyday Russian, these words are not colloquial, so they fit best in written or academic language.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; integrate into proper Russian sentence structures.
• In plural forms, "Ртуть" can refer to multiple instances, e.g., in chemical compounds.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the inflections: for example, using "Ртуть" in the wrong case, such as saying "Я вижу Ртуть" instead of "Я вижу ртуть" in accusative contexts without proper article adjustment. Correct usage: "Я вижу ртуть" (I see mercury). Another error is mispronouncing the trilled 'р' in "Ртуть," which might sound like an English 'r.' Always ensure case agreement, as in "О ртути" (About mercury) for genitive. For "Меркурий," learners might forget to use it only as a proper noun, leading to incorrect pluralization.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "Ртуть" (mercury) is often associated with historical scientific discoveries, such as those by Dmitri Mendeleev in the periodic table. It carries connotations of danger due to its toxicity, reflected in environmental regulations in Russia. "Меркурий" as a planet is linked to popular science education, with references in literature like Soviet-era astronomy books, emphasizing Russia's space exploration heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Серебро (Silver) - Related to metallic elements.
• Венера (Venus) - Another planet in the solar system.
• Термометр (Thermometer) - Device often containing mercury.
• Гравитация (Gravity) - Concept tied to planetary orbits.