Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'metal'

English Word: metal

Key Russian Translations:

• металл [mʲɪˈtal] - [Formal, Singular]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic nouns like "дом" (house)).

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary; involves basic noun declensions, suitable for beginners learning Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

металл: [mʲɪˈtal]

Note on металл: The initial "м" is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds softer than in English. Stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A type of material that is typically hard, shiny, and a good conductor of heat and electricity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• металл - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing elements in chemistry or materials in engineering.

Usage Examples:

• Этот металл используется в строительстве. (This metal is used in construction.)

  This example shows the noun in nominative case, in a simple declarative sentence about practical applications.

• Металлы имеют высокую теплопроводность. (Metals have high thermal conductivity.)

  Here, "металлы" is in plural form, illustrating its use in generalizations about properties in scientific writing.

• Я купил кусок металла для проекта. (I bought a piece of metal for the project.)

  This demonstrates the genitive case in a everyday conversational context, showing possession or specification.

• Металл ржавеет на воздухе. (Metal rusts in the air.)

  An example of the noun as a subject in a sentence about natural processes, highlighting potential verb pairings.

• В музее есть экспонаты из драгоценных металлов. (In the museum, there are exhibits made from precious metals.)

  This shows the plural genitive case in a cultural or descriptive context, emphasizing material types.

Secondary meaning: In music, referring to heavy metal genre (though less direct in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• металл (informally for the genre) - Used in casual conversations about music, often as a loanword or shortened form; more precisely, "хэви-метал" for heavy metal.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю слушать металл. (I love listening to metal.)

  Informal usage in music contexts, where "металл" refers to the genre without specifying; common among younger speakers.

• Этот концерт посвящен хэви-металлу. (This concert is dedicated to heavy metal.)

  Here, the full term is used for clarity in event descriptions, showing adaptation of English loanwords.

• Металл – это не только музыка, но и стиль жизни. (Metal is not just music, but a lifestyle.)

  Philosophical usage, linking the term to subculture, in informal discussions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Металл" is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian, which means it follows standard patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It inflects based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The word is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сплав (alloy; used for mixtures of metals, with a more specific connotation in industrial contexts)
  • металлический материал (metallic material; a descriptive phrase for emphasis)
• Antonyms:
  • неметалл (non-metal; refers to elements like oxygen or sulfur in chemistry)

Related Phrases:

• драгоценный металл (precious metal) - Refers to valuable metals like gold or silver, often in economic or jewelry contexts.
• тяжелый металл (heavy metal) - Can mean the music genre or toxic metals in environmental discussions.
• металлическая конструкция (metal structure) - Used for engineering or architecture, describing built frameworks.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "металл" directly corresponds to the English "metal" as a material but is more commonly used in formal or technical settings. Be cautious with context: in everyday speech, Russians might specify types (e.g., "железо" for iron). For the music genre, "металл" is informal and often borrowed from English; prefer "хэви-метал" for precision. Grammatically, always decline it according to case, as Russian requires agreement with other elements in the sentence. When choosing between translations, use "металл" for general references and "сплав" for alloys to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "металл" without declension, e.g., saying "Я вижу металл" when it should be "Я вижу металл" in accusative, but forgetting in other cases like genitive.

  Correct: In genitive, say "Я взял кусок металла" (I took a piece of metal). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case; not declining can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

• Error: Confusing "металл" with "металлический" (adjectival form), e.g., using "металл дверь" instead of "металлическая дверь" (metal door).

  Correct: Use the adjective "металлический" for descriptions. Explanation: "Металл" is a noun, so it can't directly modify another noun; learners often mix this up with English compound words.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, metals like gold (золото) and silver (серебро) hold historical significance, often symbolizing wealth and tradition in folklore and Orthodox customs. The word "металл" itself isn't culturally loaded but appears in contexts like Soviet-era industrial pride, where heavy industry was glorified in literature and propaganda.

Related Concepts:

• сплав
• неметалл
• металлический