Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nuclear'

English Word: nuclear

Key Russian Translations:

• ядерный /jaˈdʲernɨj/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, technical, and news contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of scientific vocabulary and basic Russian adjective inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ядерный: /jaˈdʲernɨj/

Note on ядерный: The stress is on the second syllable (/ˈdʲernɨj/). Pay attention to the soft 'дʲ' sound, which is a palatalized 'd' common in Russian. Variations may occur in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Nuclear as in relating to atomic energy, weapons, or the nucleus

Translation(s) & Context:

• ядерный - Used in formal and technical contexts for anything related to nuclear power, weapons, or atomic structure, such as in scientific discussions or news reports.

Usage Examples:

• Ядерная энергия используется во многих странах для производства электричества.

  Nuclear energy is used in many countries for electricity production.

• Ядерные реакторы требуют строгого контроля для предотвращения аварий.

  Nuclear reactors require strict control to prevent accidents.

• Международные договоры регулируют использование ядерного оружия.

  International treaties regulate the use of nuclear weapons.

• Ядерный физик объяснил принципы атомного ядра на конференции.

  The nuclear physicist explained the principles of the atomic nucleus at the conference.

• Ядерные отходы представляют серьёзную экологическую угрозу.

  Nuclear waste poses a serious environmental threat.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ядерный" is an adjective in Russian, which inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for first-declension adjectives. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic adjective declension is mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • атомный - Often interchangeable in scientific contexts, but more specific to atomic particles; less formal than ядерный.
  • ядровый - Rare variant, used in very specialized nuclear physics discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • неядерный - Used to describe non-nuclear alternatives, e.g., in energy contexts.
  • традиционный - In energy contexts, meaning traditional or conventional, as opposed to nuclear.

Related Phrases:

• Ядерная война - Refers to a nuclear war; used in geopolitical discussions.
• Ядерная энергия - Means nuclear energy; common in environmental and energy debates.
• Ядерное оружие - Denotes nuclear weapons; often in international relations contexts.
• Ядерный реактор - Stands for nuclear reactor; technical term in engineering.

Usage Notes:

"Ядерный" directly corresponds to the English "nuclear" in most contexts, particularly in scientific and formal settings. It is gender-sensitive and must agree with the noun it modifies, e.g., use "ядерная" for feminine nouns like "энергия". Be cautious with context: in casual speech, Russians might prefer simpler terms, but "ядерный" is standard in formal writing. When choosing between translations like "ядерный" and "атомный", opt for "ядерный" for energy or weapons-related topics, as it emphasizes the nuclear aspect more precisely.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "ядерный" with "атомный": Learners often use "атомный" interchangeably, but it's incorrect in nuclear energy contexts. Error: "Атомная энергия" (implies atomic but not specifically nuclear). Correct: "Ядерная энергия". Explanation: "Ядерный" specifies the nucleus-based process, while "атомный" is broader.

• Forgetting adjective agreement: For example, saying "ядерный энергия" instead of "ядерная энергия". Error: Incorrect gender matching. Correct: Always decline based on the noun's gender, number, and case. Explanation: This is a common grammatical error for English speakers unused to inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, "ядерный" is heavily associated with the Soviet Union's nuclear program during the Cold War, including events like the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. This adds a layer of sensitivity; discussions involving nuclear topics often evoke national pride in Russia's technological advancements or cautionary tales about safety, influencing how the word is used in media and education.

Related Concepts:

• радиация
• атомный
• энергетика
• оружие