Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nickel'

English Word: nickel

Key Russian Translations:

• никель /ˈnʲikʲɪlʲ/ - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, industrial, and everyday contexts related to chemistry or currency, but not in casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; as a borrowed word from English/German, it requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and pronunciation of foreign sounds, but it's straightforward for learners with basic vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

никель: /ˈnʲikʲɪlʲ/

Note on никель: The initial "н" is palatalized (/nʲ/), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords. Stress falls on the first syllable. Non-native speakers may struggle with the soft "к" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a chemical element (a metallic element, atomic number 28)

Translation(s) & Context:

• никель - Used in scientific, industrial, or educational contexts to refer to the metal in its pure form, such as in chemistry or metallurgy.

Usage Examples:

• Этот сплав содержит никель для повышения коррозионной стойкости.

  This alloy contains nickel to improve corrosion resistance.

• Никель — важный элемент в производстве монет и батареек.

  Nickel is an important element in the production of coins and batteries.

• В природе никель встречается в виде сульфидных руд.

  In nature, nickel occurs in the form of sulfide ores.

• Учёные изучают, как никель влияет на окружающую среду.

  Scientists are studying how nickel affects the environment.

• Никель часто используется в ювелирных изделиях из-за своей прочности.

  Nickel is often used in jewelry due to its durability.

As a coin (specifically, a five-cent coin in U.S. English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• никель - Informally borrowed in Russian to refer to a nickel coin, but more commonly described as "пятицентовая монета" in formal contexts; used in discussions of foreign currency or numismatics.

Usage Examples:

• В американских фильмах часто показывают, как люди находят никель на улице.

  In American movies, people often find a nickel on the street.

• Этот никель из 1940-х годов — редкая нумизматическая находка.

  This nickel from the 1940s is a rare numismatic find.

• В США никель стоит всего пять центов.

  In the USA, a nickel is worth only five cents.

• Собирая монеты, я добавил старый никель в коллекцию.

  While collecting coins, I added an old nickel to my collection.

• Никель — это неформальное название для мелкой монеты в американской культуре.

  Nickel is an informal name for a small coin in American culture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Никель" is a masculine noun (3rd declension in Russian). It follows standard patterns for inanimate masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used, as "никель" typically refers to the element in singular contexts. It has no irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • никелевый металл (nickel metal) - Used interchangeably in scientific contexts, emphasizing the material aspect.
  • Ni (chemical abbreviation) - In technical writing, but less common in everyday speech.
• Antonyms:
  • Not directly applicable, as "никель" is a specific element. However, in a broader sense, other metals like "медь" (copper) could be contrasted in industrial contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Никелевый сплав - A nickel alloy; commonly used in engineering for durable materials.
• Добыча никеля - Nickel mining; refers to the extraction process in industrial contexts.
• Никелевый эффект - Nickel effect; a term in chemistry or physics for specific phenomena involving nickel.

Usage Notes:

"Никель" directly corresponds to the English "nickel" as a chemical element, making it a straightforward borrowing. However, for the coin meaning, Russians might prefer "пятицентовая монета" in formal settings to avoid confusion. Use "никель" in scientific or technical discussions, and be mindful of context—it's formal and not slang. When choosing between translations, opt for "никель" if discussing chemistry, but explain the U.S.-specific coin reference clearly. Grammatically, always decline it according to Russian cases for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Treating "никель" as an indeclinable word, e.g., saying "в никель" instead of "в никеле" (in the nickel).
  Correct: Use proper declension, as in "в никеле используется для сплавов" (nickel is used in alloys). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree with cases, and skipping this can make sentences sound unnatural to native speakers.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "никотин" (nicotine), due to similar pronunciation.
  Correct: "Никель" refers to the metal, not a substance like nicotine. Explanation: Pay attention to spelling and context to avoid mix-ups in health or chemistry topics.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "никель" is primarily associated with industrial and scientific advancements, reflecting Russia's history in mining and metallurgy. For instance, nickel deposits in regions like the Kola Peninsula have been economically significant since the Soviet era, symbolizing resource wealth and technological progress.

Related Concepts:

• медь (copper)
• железо (iron)
• алюминий (aluminum)