Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'millimeter'

English Word: millimeter

Key Russian Translations:

• миллиметр [mʲɪlʲɪˈmʲɛtr] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in scientific, engineering, and everyday contexts involving measurements.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner; as a borrowed word, it's straightforward for English speakers to recognize and use.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

миллиметр: [mʲɪlʲɪˈmʲɛtr]

Note on миллиметр: The stress is on the third syllable. Pay attention to the palatalized 'л' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for non-native speakers. It sounds similar to "mee-lee-MEH-tr" in English approximation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter, used for precise measurements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• миллиметр - Used in formal, technical, or scientific contexts for measurements, such as in engineering or medicine.

Usage Examples:

• Этот болт имеет диаметр в 5 миллиметров. (This bolt has a diameter of 5 millimeters.)

  Translation: This bolt has a diameter of 5 millimeters. (Context: Technical description in engineering.)

• Доктор измерил опухоль в миллиметрах. (The doctor measured the tumor in millimeters.)

  Translation: The doctor measured the tumor in millimeters. (Context: Medical usage, emphasizing precision.)

• В модели самолёта все детали сделаны с точностью до миллиметра. (In the model airplane, all parts are made with precision down to the millimeter.)

  Translation: In the model airplane, all parts are made with precision down to the millimeter. (Context: Hobby or craftsmanship, showing attention to detail.)

• Расстояние между городами составляет всего несколько миллиметров на карте. (The distance between the cities is just a few millimeters on the map.)

  Translation: The distance between the cities is just a few millimeters on the map. (Context: Cartography or scaled representations.)

• Её кольцо украшено бриллиантом размером в 2 миллиметра. (Her ring is adorned with a diamond that is 2 millimeters in size.)

  Translation: Her ring is adorned with a diamond that is 2 millimeters in size. (Context: Everyday description in jewelry or fashion.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Миллиметр" is a masculine noun (third declension in Russian). It follows regular noun inflections for case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it relatively easy for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мм (mm) - Abbreviation, used in informal or technical writing for brevity.
  • миллиметрик (rare diminutive form) - Informal variant, implying a very small measurement.
• Antonyms:
  • километр (kilometer) - Used for much larger distances.

Related Phrases:

• В миллиметрах от края (In millimeters from the edge) - Meaning: Extremely close to the edge; used in contexts requiring precision, e.g., in manufacturing.
• Измерять в миллиметрах (To measure in millimeters) - Meaning: To take precise measurements; common in scientific or engineering tasks.
• Точность до миллиметра (Accuracy to the millimeter) - Meaning: Extreme precision; often used in descriptions of high-quality work or technology.

Usage Notes:

"Миллиметр" directly corresponds to the English "millimeter" as a metric unit, making it a straightforward borrowing. It is always used in formal or technical contexts and should be paired with numbers (e.g., "5 миллиметров"). Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases; for example, use the genitive case after numbers like 2, 3, or 4 (e.g., "2 миллиметра"). When choosing translations, stick to "миллиметр" for standard usage, as alternatives are rare. This word is neutral in terms of register and can appear in both written and spoken Russian.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using the wrong case, e.g., "Я имею 5 миллиметр" (wrong genitive usage).

  Correct: "Я имею 5 миллиметров" (proper genitive plural).

  Explanation: Russian requires the genitive case for measurements after numbers greater than 4; English speakers often overlook this.

• Incorrect: Mispronouncing as [milimetr] without palatalization, sounding like "mil-i-meh-tr".

  Correct: [mʲɪlʲɪˈmʲɛtr] with palatalized sounds.

  Explanation: The palatalized 'л' is essential for natural pronunciation; ignoring it can make the word sound unnatural or foreign.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, the metric system is the standard, so "миллиметр" is ubiquitous in daily life, education, and industry. It reflects the country's adoption of the International System of Units (SI), influenced by historical ties to scientific advancements in Europe. Unlike in some English-speaking countries that use imperial units, Russians rarely encounter alternatives, emphasizing precision in fields like engineering and medicine.

Related Concepts:

• сантиметр (centimeter)
• метр (meter)
• километр (kilometer)