Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mesozoic'

English Word: mesozoic

Key Russian Translations:

• мезозой [mʲɪzɐˈzoj] - [Formal, Scientific; used in geological and academic contexts]

Frequency: Low (primarily used in scientific, educational, or specialized discussions; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level, as it involves specialized vocabulary in geology and requires familiarity with scientific terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мезозой: [mʲɪzɐˈzoj]

Note on мезозой: The stress falls on the third syllable ("zoj"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'm' sound [mʲ]. Practice with native speakers for accurate intonation in formal presentations.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The geological era between the Paleozoic and Cenozoic, characterized by the dominance of dinosaurs and significant evolutionary developments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мезозой - Used in scientific contexts to refer to the Mesozoic Era, such as in geology textbooks or museum descriptions. Context: Formal academic writing or lectures.

Usage Examples:

• В мезозое динозавры были доминирующими видами на Земле.

  In the Mesozoic, dinosaurs were the dominant species on Earth.

• Мезозойская эра длилась около 186 миллионов лет и закончилась массовым вымиранием.

  The Mesozoic Era lasted about 186 million years and ended with a mass extinction.

• Учёные изучают окаменелости из мезозоя, чтобы понять эволюцию млекопитающих.

  Scientists study fossils from the Mesozoic to understand the evolution of mammals.

• В мезозое произошло разделение континентов, что повлияло на биоразнообразие.

  In the Mesozoic, the continents drifted apart, which affected biodiversity.

• Музей выставляет экспонаты из мезозоя, включая скелеты тираннозавра.

  The museum displays exhibits from the Mesozoic, including Tyrannosaurus skeletons.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Мезозой" is a masculine noun in Russian (from Greek loanwords) and follows the standard third-declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form (it does not have a plural form in most contexts as it refers to a specific era).

Note: This word is invariant in plural forms due to its abstract, era-specific nature. Irregularities are minimal, but always check context for prepositional usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None directly, but related terms include "средний зенит" (though less common and not exact).
• Antonyms: палеозой (Paleozoic), кайнозой (Cenozoic) - These refer to preceding and following geological eras, respectively.

Explanation: Synonyms are rare for such specific terms; antonyms highlight the chronological sequence in geological history.

Related Phrases:

• Мезозойская эра - Refers to the full era; used in historical or educational contexts to denote the entire period.
• Период мезозоя - A phrase emphasizing the duration; common in scientific discussions about timelines.
• Фауна мезозоя - Means "fauna of the Mesozoic"; used when talking about animal life during that era.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds directly to the English "Mesozoic" as a geological term, but in Russian, it's always capitalized in formal writing. It's restricted to scientific or educational contexts; avoid using in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, "мезозой" is the standard and most precise. Pay attention to case endings for grammatical agreement, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "в мезозое" for "in the Mesozoic").

• In sentences, it often pairs with adjectives like "мезозойский" (Mesozoic-related) for broader descriptions.
• Grammar note: As a masculine noun, it requires masculine agreement in adjectives and verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as [mɛzəˈzɔɪ] (influenced by English). Correct: [mʲɪzɐˈzoj]. Explanation: English speakers often overlook the palatalized 'm' and vowel shifts; practice with audio to master the Russian phonetics.
• Error: Using incorrect case, e.g., saying "из мезозой" instead of "из мезозоя". Correct: "Из мезозоя" (from the Mesozoic). Explanation: This confuses genitive case requirements; always check the noun's role in the sentence.
• Error: Treating it as a plural noun. Correct: It's singular and invariant. Explanation: Learners might add plurals due to English habits, but in Russian, it remains unchanged.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, "мезозой" is significant in the context of paleontology and natural history, often featured in museums like the Moscow Paleontological Institute. It evokes fascination with dinosaurs and evolutionary history, reflecting Russia's strong tradition in geological sciences since the 19th century. This term doesn't carry specific cultural idioms but symbolizes scientific progress and the vastness of Earth's history.

Related Concepts:

• палеозой
• кайнозой
• юрский период
• креда