Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'missile'

English Word: missile

Key Russian Translations:

• ракета [rɐˈkʲetə] - [Formal, Military Context]
• снаряд [snɐˈrʲat] - [Informal, Less Specific, Used for Projectiles or Shells]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, news, and technical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic Russian noun declensions and context-specific vocabulary; for 'ракета', it's straightforward, but 'снаряд' may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ракета: [rɐˈkʲetə]

снаряд: [snɐˈrʲat]

Note on ракета: The stress is on the second syllable ('ke-'), which is a common point of difficulty for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A self-propelled guided weapon system (primary military meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ракета - Used in formal military, news, or technical contexts to refer to guided missiles, such as ballistic or cruise missiles.
• снаряд - Used in informal or broader contexts for projectiles, including missiles, but often implies artillery shells; avoid in precise military discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Во время учений была запущена ракета для тестирования систем обороны.

  During the exercises, a missile was launched to test the defense systems.

• Ракета с ядерной боеголовкой представляет серьезную угрозу миру.

  A missile with a nuclear warhead poses a serious threat to peace.

• Снаряд, похожий на ракету, был найден на месте взрыва.

  A projectile similar to a missile was found at the explosion site. (Note: Here, 'снаряд' is used less formally.)

• Инженеры разрабатывают новую ракету, которая может преодолевать звуковой барьер.

  Engineers are developing a new missile that can break the sound barrier.

• В музее выставлена историческая ракета, использованная в Великой Отечественной войне.

  In the museum, a historical missile used in the Great Patriotic War is on display.

Broader metaphorical or figurative use (e.g., in sports or business, though less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• ракета - Rarely used metaphorically, e.g., in sports for a fast-moving object, but stick to 'снаряд' for informal analogies.

Usage Examples:

• Его удар был как ракета – мяч полетел в ворота со скоростью света.

  His shot was like a missile – the ball flew into the goal at the speed of light.

• Снаряд бизнеса – это быстрая стратегия, которая поражает конкурентов.

  A missile of business is a fast strategy that strikes competitors. (Informal metaphor.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Ракета' is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun patterns. It inflects based on case, number, and gender. 'Снаряд' is a masculine noun and also inflects regularly.

Note: These are regular inflections; no irregularities for these words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прожектор (prozhektor) - More for spotlight or beam, but metaphorically similar in directed force.
  • торпеда (torpeda) - For underwater missiles or torpedoes; slight difference in context (naval).
• Antonyms:
  • защита (zashchita) - Defense or shield, opposing the offensive nature.
  • мирное средство (mirnoe sredstvo) - Peaceful means, contrasting with weaponry.

Related Phrases:

• Баллистическая ракета - Ballistic missile; used in discussions of long-range weaponry.
• Крылатая ракета - Cruise missile; refers to guided, low-altitude missiles.
• Запуск ракеты - Missile launch; common in news or military contexts.
• Ракета-носитель - Carrier rocket; for space-related missiles, with a focus on delivery systems.

Usage Notes:

Use 'ракета' for precise, formal translations of 'missile' in military or technical contexts, as it directly aligns with the English term. 'Снаряд' is better for broader or informal uses, like artillery, but may not convey the guided aspect. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these words often appear in genitive or accusative cases in sentences. For English learners, choose 'ракета' when discussing modern weaponry to avoid ambiguity. Grammar note: Always ensure gender agreement, e.g., adjectives must match the feminine form for 'ракета'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'ракета' with 'ракетка' (a tennis racket). Correct: 'Ракета' means missile, while 'ракетка' is for sports. Example of error: Saying 'Я играю в ракет' instead of 'Я играю в ракетку'. Explanation: The words sound similar, so context is key; always specify if it's military-related.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Correct: In a sentence like 'Я видел ракету' (I saw a missile), but wrongly saying 'Я видел ракеты' in accusative context. Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; practice declensions to avoid this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'ракета' carry historical weight due to the Cold War era, where Soviet missiles (e.g., those developed by Sergei Korolev) symbolized technological prowess and deterrence. This can evoke national pride or tension in discussions, especially in media related to international relations.

Related Concepts:

• армия (armiya)
• вооружение (vooruzhenie)
• оборона (oborona)