Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'minefield'

English Word: minefield

Key Russian Translations:

• минное поле [ˈmʲin.nə.jə ˈpo.lʲe] - [Formal, Military context]

Frequency: Medium (Commonly used in military, news, and historical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of compound nouns and military terminology, suitable for learners with basic vocabulary in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

минное поле: [ˈmʲin.nə.jə ˈpo.lʲe]

Note on минное поле: The stress is on the first syllable of each word. The "й" sound in "нное" is a soft "n" followed by a "y" glide, which can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A dangerous area containing explosive mines, often in military or metaphorical contexts.

Translation(s) & Context:

• минное поле - Used in literal military scenarios, such as wartime zones, or metaphorically for risky situations in everyday life (e.g., in business or relationships).

Usage Examples:

• Войска осторожно обошли минное поле во время операции. (The troops carefully bypassed the minefield during the operation.)

  Translation: The troops carefully bypassed the minefield during the operation.

• Этот проект — настоящее минное поле проблем и рисков. (This project is a real minefield of problems and risks.)

  Translation: This project is a real minefield of problems and risks. (Metaphorical use in a business context.)

• В исторических фильмах часто показывают, как солдаты разминируют минное поле. (Historical films often show soldiers defusing a minefield.)

  Translation: Historical films often show soldiers defusing a minefield. (Descriptive narrative context.)

• Переговоры с конкурентами могут превратиться в минное поле, если не быть осторожным. (Negotiations with competitors can turn into a minefield if you're not careful.)

  Translation: Negotiations with competitors can turn into a minefield if you're not careful. (Idiomatic expression in professional settings.)

• Дети предупреждены не заходить в зону минного поля на тренировочном полигоне. (Children are warned not to enter the minefield zone on the training range.)

  Translation: Children are warned not to enter the minefield zone on the training range. (Safety and instructional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Минное поле" is a noun phrase consisting of an adjective ("минное") and a neuter noun ("поле"). It follows standard Russian inflection patterns:

• The adjective "минное" agrees with the noun "поле" in gender, number, and case. For example:

Note: As a compound phrase, it inflects regularly based on the noun "поле," which is a neuter noun of the second declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• минный район (mine area; used interchangeably in broader contexts)
• заминированная зона (mined zone; emphasizes the act of mining)

Antonyms:

• безопасная зона (safe zone)
• чистая территория (clear territory; implies no mines)

Related Phrases:

• минное поле войны - A minefield of war; Refers to literal or metaphorical battlefields with hidden dangers.
• разминировать минное поле - To defuse a minefield; Common in military operations or problem-solving contexts.
• войти в минное поле - To enter a minefield; Used metaphorically for taking risks.

Usage Notes:

"Минное поле" directly corresponds to the English "minefield" in both literal and figurative senses. It is typically formal and appears in military, journalistic, or metaphorical language. When using in conversation, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion; for example, in metaphorical uses, it implies high risk or complexity. If multiple translations exist, choose "минное поле" for standard accuracy, but "заминированная зона" might be preferred in technical discussions. Grammatically, always ensure adjective-noun agreement in case and number.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "мин поле" without the adjective ending (e.g., forgetting agreement). Correct: "Минное поле" – Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with nouns in gender, number, and case; "минное" is the correct form for neuter singular nominative.

• Error: Translating literally as "mine field" without context, leading to "поля мин" (which is incorrect word order). Correct: "Минное поле" – Explanation: Russian uses a possessive adjective structure, not direct translation, to maintain natural flow.

• Error: Mispronouncing as [min po.le] without the soft sounds. Correct Pronunciation: [ˈmʲin.nə.jə ˈpo.lʲe] – Explanation: Pay attention to the palatalized consonants for authenticity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "минное поле" often evokes memories of World War II and the Cold War, where minefields were common defensive strategies. Metaphorically, it reflects the Russian mindset of caution in uncertain situations, influenced by historical events, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking in both literal and everyday contexts.

Related Concepts:

• мина (mine)
• военная зона (military zone)
• риск (risk)