neptune
Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Neptune'
English Word: Neptune
Key Russian Translations:
- Нептун /nʲɪpˈtun/ - [Proper noun, used in scientific, astronomical, or mythological contexts; no specific formality, but common in formal writing]
Frequency: Low (This word is a proper noun referring to the planet or the Roman god, and it appears infrequently in everyday conversation, mostly in educational, scientific, or literary contexts.)
Difficulty: Intermediate (B1 level on CEFR scale; Learners may struggle with the pronunciation of the palatalized 'н' sound and proper noun declension, but it's straightforward for those familiar with basic Russian phonetics.)
Pronunciation (Russian):
Нептун: /nʲɪpˈtun/
Note on Нептун: The initial 'н' is palatalized (nʲ), which is a common feature in Russian but can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel sounds.
Audio: []
Meanings and Usage:
The planet Neptune (astronomical reference)
Translation(s) & Context:
- Нептун - Used in scientific discussions about astronomy, space exploration, or planetary science; often in formal or educational contexts.
Usage Examples:
-
Русский: Нептун — восьмая планета от Солнца и самая дальняя от него в нашей Солнечной системе.
English: Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the farthest in our Solar System.
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Русский: Астрономы открыли Нептун в XIX веке на основе математических расчётов.
English: Astronomers discovered Neptune in the 19th century based on mathematical calculations.
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Русский: На поверхности Нептуна бушуют мощные ветры, превышающие скорость звука.
English: On the surface of Neptune, powerful winds exceed the speed of sound.
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Русский: Космический зонд "Вояджер-2" передал первые изображения Нептуна в 1989 году.
English: The Voyager-2 space probe transmitted the first images of Neptune in 1989.
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Русский: Изучение Нептуна помогает учёным понять происхождение газовых гигантов.
English: Studying Neptune helps scientists understand the origin of gas giants.
The Roman god Neptune (mythological reference)
Translation(s) & Context:
- Нептун - Used in discussions of Roman mythology, literature, or cultural history; typically in formal, artistic, or educational contexts.
Usage Examples:
-
Русский: В римской мифологии Нептун был богом морей и океанов.
English: In Roman mythology, Neptune was the god of the seas and oceans.
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Русский: Храм Нептуна в Риме был важным местом для поклонения морским божествам.
English: The Temple of Neptune in Rome was an important site for worshiping sea deities.
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Русский: Нептун часто изображался с трезубцем в руках, символизирующим его власть над водами.
English: Neptune is often depicted holding a trident, symbolizing his control over the waters.
Russian Forms/Inflections:
Нептун is a masculine proper noun in Russian, which follows standard noun declension patterns for foreign names. It is not invariant and changes based on case, but as a proper noun, it is less frequently inflected than common nouns. Below is a table outlining its basic declension:
Case | Singular |
---|---|
Nominative | Нептун |
Genitive | Нептуна |
Dative | Нептуну |
Accusative | Нептуна |
Instrumental | Нептуном |
Prepositional | О Нептуне |
Note: This declension is regular for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. It does not have plural forms in standard usage, as proper nouns like this are typically singular.
Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:
- Synonyms:
- Нет точных синонимов (No exact synonyms), but related terms include "Планета Нептун" in astronomical contexts or "Морской бог" (Sea God) in mythological ones. "Морской бог" is more general and can imply similarities but lacks the specific cultural reference.
- Antonyms:
- Not applicable, as "Нептун" is a proper noun without direct opposites.
Related Phrases:
- Планета Нептун - Refers to the planet; used in scientific discussions (English: Planet Neptune).
- Бог Нептун - Refers to the mythological figure; used in cultural or historical contexts (English: God Neptune).
- Кольца Нептуна - Describes the planet's rings; common in astronomy (English: Rings of Neptune).
- Море Нептуна - A poetic or metaphorical phrase for the sea; draws from mythology (English: Sea of Neptune).
Usage Notes:
When translating "Neptune" to Russian, always use "Нептун" as it directly corresponds to the proper noun in both astronomical and mythological senses. Be mindful of context: in scientific writing, pair it with descriptive phrases like "планета Нептун" to avoid ambiguity. Grammatically, it declines like other masculine nouns, so ensure correct case usage (e.g., genitive "Нептуна" after prepositions like "о"). For English learners, choose "Нептун" over descriptive alternatives unless specifying; it's neutral across formal and informal settings but leans formal in practice.
Common Errors:
Mistake: Mispronouncing the word as /nɛpˈtuːn/ (like the English version), ignoring the Russian palatalized 'н'.
Correct: /nʲɪpˈtun/. Explanation: English speakers often overlook palatalization; practice with native audio to master the soft 'н' sound.
Mistake: Failing to decline the noun, e.g., using "Нептун" in all cases.
Correct: Use appropriate forms like "Нептуна" in genitive. Explanation: This can make sentences grammatically incorrect; always check the case based on sentence structure.
Mistake: Confusing it with similar-sounding words like "Нептуний" (Neptunium, an element).
Correct: Stick to "Нептун" for the planet or god. Explanation: Context is key; specify if needed to differentiate.
Cultural Notes:
In Russian culture, "Нептун" primarily refers to the planet discovered in 1846, symbolizing scientific achievement and exploration. Mythologically, it echoes Roman influences on Russian literature, often appearing in adaptations of classical stories. However, it's less tied to everyday Russian folklore compared to Slavic gods, serving more as an educational or astronomical term.
Related Concepts:
- Марс (Mars)
- Венера (Venus)
- Уран (Uranus)
- Плутон (Pluto)