Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'microwave'

English Word: microwave

Key Russian Translations:

• микроволновая печь [mʲɪ.krɐ.vɐlˈno.və.jə ˈpʲet͡ɕ] - [Formal, Noun]
• микроволновка [mʲɪ.krɐ.vɐlˈno.vkə] - [Informal, Noun, Used in everyday conversation]

Frequency: Medium (Common in modern contexts like kitchens and daily life, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves compound words and basic noun declensions, suitable for learners with some familiarity with Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

микроволновая печь: [mʲɪ.krɐ.vɐlˈno.və.jə ˈpʲet͡ɕ]

микроволновка: [mʲɪ.krɐ.vɐlˈno.vkə]

Note on микроволновая печь: The stress falls on the third syllable of "микроволновая" and the first of "печь." Be mindful of the palatalized 'пʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations may occur in regional accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Noun: A kitchen appliance used for heating and cooking food quickly using microwave radiation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• микроволновая печь - Used in formal or technical descriptions, such as in recipes or appliance manuals.
• микроволновка - Applied in informal, everyday contexts, like casual conversations about home life.

Usage Examples:

• Я разогрел обед в микроволновой печи за две минуты.

  I heated lunch in the microwave in two minutes.

• Микроволновка сломалась, и теперь готовить еду стало сложнее.

  The microwave broke, and now cooking food has become more difficult.

• В нашей кухне есть современная микроволновая печь с множеством функций.

  In our kitchen, there's a modern microwave with many functions.

• Дети любят использовать микроволновку для попкорна.

  Kids love using the microwave for popcorn.

• Если нет микроволновой печи, можно разогреть еду на плите.

  If there's no microwave, you can heat the food on the stove.

Verb: To cook or heat food using a microwave (Note: In Russian, this is often expressed as a phrase rather than a single verb).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разогревать в микроволновой печи - Used for heating pre-cooked food, in casual or instructional contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда разогреваю пиццу в микроволновой печи перед ужином.

  I always microwave the pizza before dinner.

• Не разогревай молоко в микроволновке слишком долго, оно может перекипеть.

  Don't microwave the milk for too long, or it might boil over.

• Чтобы сэкономить время, разогревай овощи в микроволновой печи.

  To save time, microwave the vegetables.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are feminine nouns. "Микроволновая печь" follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for feminine nouns ending in -я. "Микроволновка" is also feminine and declines similarly but is often used in a more fixed form in informal speech.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently in everyday use, but if needed: Plural Nominative would be "микроволновые печи" or "микроволновки." They follow regular patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • микроволновый нагреватель (More technical, emphasizes the heating mechanism)
  • СВЧ-печь (Abbreviated form, common in tech contexts; slight difference in formality)
• Antonyms:
  • традиционная печь (Traditional oven, implying non-microwave methods)

Related Phrases:

• включить микроволновую печь - To turn on the microwave; used for starting the appliance.
• разогреть в микроволновке - To heat in the microwave; common in cooking instructions.
• микроволновая печь для размораживания - Microwave for defrosting; refers to a specific function.

Usage Notes:

The English word "microwave" as a noun directly corresponds to "микроволновая печь" in formal Russian, but "микроволновка" is preferred in informal settings to sound more natural. Be cautious with gender agreement: it's feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., "эта микроволновая печь работает"). In verb forms, Russian often uses phrases like "разогревать в" instead of a direct equivalent, which reflects the language's preference for descriptive structures. Choose the translation based on context—formal for writing, informal for speech.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в микроволновая печь" instead of "в микроволновой печи" (prepositional case). Correct: Always check the required case for the preposition. Explanation: Russian prepositions govern specific cases, so "в" requires prepositional for locations.
• Mistake: Treating it as masculine, e.g., "этот микроволновая печь" instead of "эта микроволновая печь." Correct: Use feminine adjectives like "эта." Explanation: Incorrect gender leads to grammatical errors; remember it's feminine.
• Mistake: Direct translation of the verb, e.g., saying "микровейвить" (a made-up word). Correct: Use "разогревать в микроволновой печи." Explanation: Russian doesn't have a single verb, so learners should adopt phrasal constructions for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, microwaves are a staple in urban households, symbolizing modern convenience amid fast-paced lifestyles. However, traditional cooking methods like using a stove or oven are still highly valued, especially in rural areas or for cultural dishes, reflecting a blend of old and new practices.

Related Concepts:

• холодильник (refrigerator)
• электроплита (electric stove)
• кухонная техника (kitchen appliances)