Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mineral'

English Word: mineral

Key Russian Translations:

• минерал (mineral) - [mʲɪˈnʲe.rəl] - [Formal, Singular, Used in scientific or geological contexts]
• минералы (minerals, plural form) - [mʲɪˈnʲe.rə.lɨ] - [Formal, Plural, Used when referring to multiple substances]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, educational, and everyday discussions about geology or resources, but not as frequent in casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can recognize and use it in basic sentences, though understanding inflections may require practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

минерал: [mʲɪˈnʲe.rəl]

Note on минерал: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ne"), and the initial "m" is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A naturally occurring inorganic substance with a definite chemical composition (e.g., in geology).

Translation(s) & Context:

• минерал - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing geological formations or mineral resources.
• минералы - Used when referring to a collection or variety, e.g., in educational or environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В горах можно найти разнообразные минералы, такие как кварц и гранит.

  In the mountains, you can find a variety of minerals, such as quartz and granite.

• Этот минерал используется в промышленности для производства электроники.

  This mineral is used in industry for producing electronics.

• Учёные изучают минералы, чтобы понять историю Земли.

  Scientists study minerals to understand the history of the Earth.

• Минералы в почве влияют на рост растений и сельское хозяйство.

  Minerals in the soil affect plant growth and agriculture.

• В музее выставлены редкие минералы из разных частей мира.

  In the museum, rare minerals from different parts of the world are exhibited.

A substance obtained from the earth, often implying resources (e.g., in mining or nutrition).

Translation(s) & Context:

• минерал - In contexts related to mining or natural resources, emphasizing extraction and utility.

Usage Examples:

• Добыча минералов в регионе принесла экономический рост.

  The extraction of minerals in the region has brought economic growth.

• Витамины и минералы важны для здорового питания.

  Vitamins and minerals are important for a healthy diet.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Минерал is a masculine noun in Russian, which follows the standard second declension pattern. It has regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: The plural forms are regular and do not have irregularities, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • рудное вещество (rudnoye veshchestvo) - More specific to ore-like substances, used in mining contexts.
  • полезное ископаемое (poleznoye iskopaemoye) - Emphasizes economic value, often in resource discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • органическое вещество (organicheskoye veshchestvo) - Refers to organic materials, contrasting with inorganic minerals.

Related Phrases:

• Драгоценные минералы (Dragotsennye mineraly) - Precious minerals; refers to valuable gems or stones used in jewelry.
• Минеральные ресурсы (Mineralnye resursy) - Mineral resources; commonly used in economic or environmental contexts to discuss natural wealth.
• Минеральная вода (Mineralnaya voda) - Mineral water; a fixed phrase for naturally carbonated or enriched water, often in health and beverage discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "mineral" is most accurately translated as "минерал" when referring to geological substances, but be mindful of context— for example, in nutritional contexts, it might overlap with "минералы" in a broader sense. This word is typically formal and appears in scientific, educational, or professional settings. When choosing between translations, opt for "минерал" for singular items and "минералы" for plurals. Grammatically, always adjust for case based on sentence structure, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions and verbs.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the surrounding context to select the appropriate form.
• In everyday speech, Russians might use related terms like "камни" (stones) informally, but "минерал" is preferred for precision.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the genitive form, using "минерал" instead of "минерала" in phrases like "цвет минерала" (color of the mineral). Correct usage: Incorrect: "Цвет минерал" (wrong, as it doesn't show possession); Correct: "Цвет минерала" – This error stems from English's lack of cases, so remember to add the ending for genitive contexts to indicate relationships.

• Another common mistake is forgetting plural inflections: Incorrect: "Много минерал" (grammatically incorrect); Correct: "Много минералов" – Always pluralize nouns when needed.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, minerals hold historical significance due to Russia's vast natural resources, such as those in the Ural Mountains. Terms like "минерал" are often linked to national pride in mining heritage and are featured in museums or literature, symbolizing endurance and the country's geological richness. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for nature's role in Russian identity.

Related Concepts:

• геология (geologiya)
• рудник (rudnik)
• кристалл (kristall)