Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'meteoroid'

English Word: meteoroid

Key Russian Translations:

• метеороид [mʲɪtʲɪˈorojt] - [Formal, Scientific term used in astronomy]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and rarely used in everyday conversation, primarily in scientific or academic contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with astronomical terminology and basic Russian noun declensions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

метеороид: [mʲɪtʲɪˈorojt]

Note on метеороид: The stress falls on the third syllable ('o' in 'оид'). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, but the 'й' sound is a soft palatal approximant, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pay attention to the vowel reductions common in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A small rocky or metallic body in outer space, typically from a comet or asteroid, that becomes a meteor when entering Earth's atmosphere.

Translation(s) & Context:

• метеороид - Used in formal scientific discussions, such as astrophysics or planetary science, to describe extraterrestrial objects.

Usage Examples:

• Этот метеороид был обнаружен в поясе астероидов.

  This meteoroid was discovered in the asteroid belt.

• Ученые изучают траекторию метеороида, чтобы предсказать его столкновение с Землей.

  Scientists are studying the trajectory of the meteoroid to predict its collision with Earth.

• Метеороид, размером с горошину, может вызвать яркий метеор при входе в атмосферу.

  A meteoroid the size of a pea can cause a bright meteor upon entering the atmosphere.

• В космосе миллиарды метеороидов кружат вокруг Солнца.

  In space, billions of meteoroids orbit around the Sun.

• Исследование метеороида помогло раскрыть тайны кометных хвостов.

  The study of the meteoroid helped uncover the mysteries of cometary tails.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Метеороид" is a masculine noun in Russian (from the Greek loanword), and it follows the standard third declension pattern for inanimate masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions for singular and plural forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • метеор (more general term for a meteor, but can overlap in astronomical contexts)
  • космический обломок (less precise, meaning "space debris") - Used when emphasizing fragments from larger bodies.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as this is a specific scientific term without a clear opposite. However, in broader contexts, something like планета (planet) could contrast as a larger celestial body.

Related Phrases:

• космический метеороид - A space meteoroid; Used in discussions of outer space phenomena.
• метеороидный дождь - Meteoroid shower; Refers to events like meteor showers on Earth.
• обнаружение метеороида - Detection of a meteoroid; Common in scientific reports.

Usage Notes:

"Метеороид" directly corresponds to the English "meteoroid" as a scientific term, but in Russian, it's often used in formal or academic settings rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of its declensions when constructing sentences, as Russian requires nouns to change based on case (e.g., use the genitive form "метеороида" after prepositions like "из" meaning "from"). If multiple translations exist, choose "метеороид" for precision in astronomical contexts; avoid confusing it with "метеор" (meteor), which refers to the atmospheric phenomenon. This word is gender-neutral in usage but is grammatically masculine, so adjectives and verbs must agree accordingly (e.g., "большой метеороид" for "big meteoroid").

Common Errors:

• Confusing "метеороид" with "метеор": English learners often mix this up, thinking they mean the same thing. Incorrect: "Я видел метеор в космосе" (implying a meteor in space, which is inaccurate). Correct: "Я видел метеороид в космосе" for a space object, or "Я видел метеор в небе" for something entering the atmosphere. Explanation: "Метеороид" refers to the object before it enters the atmosphere, while "метеор" is the visible streak.
• Improper declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "в метеороид" instead of "в метеороиде" (in the meteoroid). Correct usage: "В метеороиде найдены редкие минералы" (Rare minerals were found in the meteoroid). Explanation: Always adjust for the prepositional case in such contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and scientific history, terms like "метеороид" are tied to Russia's strong tradition in space exploration, exemplified by programs like those of the Soviet Union (e.g., Sputnik and space probes). This reflects a broader cultural fascination with cosmology, influenced by figures like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the father of astronautics. While not inherently cultural, such terms often appear in educational contexts, emphasizing Russia's contributions to understanding celestial phenomena.

Related Concepts:

• комета (comet)
• астероид (asteroid)
• метеор (meteor)
• космический мусор (space debris)