Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'olfactory'

English Word: olfactory

Key Russian Translations:

• обонятельный /ɐ.bɐ.nʲæˈtʲɛlʲ.nɨj/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specialized contexts like medicine or biology.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding scientific vocabulary and adjective inflections, which may require familiarity with Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обонятельный: /ɐ.bɐ.nʲæˈtʲɛlʲ.nɨj/

Note on обонятельный: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("tʲɛlʲ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants. Pronounce it with a soft 'n' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Related to the sense of smell or olfactory functions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• обонятельный - Used in formal, scientific, or medical contexts to describe anything pertaining to smell, such as organs, nerves, or processes. For example, in anatomy or psychology discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Органы обонятельные отвечают за восприятие запахов.

  Olfactory organs are responsible for perceiving smells. (This example shows the adjective in a basic anatomical context.)

• Обонятельный анализатор в мозге обрабатывает входящие сигналы от носа.

  The olfactory analyzer in the brain processes incoming signals from the nose. (Illustrates use in a neurological or sensory processing context.)

• У собак высоко развит обонятельный аппарат, что помогает им в охоте.

  Dogs have a highly developed olfactory apparatus, which aids them in hunting. (Demonstrates application in comparative biology or animal behavior.)

• Нарушение обонятельной функции может указывать на проблемы с нервной системой.

  Impairment of olfactory function may indicate issues with the nervous system. (Shows usage in medical diagnostics.)

• Обонятельные рецепторы в носу активируются при вдыхании ароматов.

  Olfactory receptors in the nose are activated when inhaling aromas. (Highlights everyday sensory experiences in a scientific framework.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Обонятельный" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: Always agree the adjective with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нюховой - Similar but less formal, often used in everyday or veterinary contexts; implies a more sensory focus without scientific depth.
• Antonyms:
  • зрительный - Refers to visual or sight-related senses.
  • слуховой - Pertains to auditory or hearing-related senses.

Related Phrases:

• Обонятельный нерв - The olfactory nerve; refers to the cranial nerve responsible for smell transmission.
• Обонятельная система - The olfactory system; describes the overall network of organs and processes for smell detection.
• Обонятельный анализ - Olfactory analysis; used in contexts like perfumery or medical diagnostics.

Usage Notes:

This translation corresponds closely to the English "olfactory," which is an adjective used in scientific and formal contexts. In Russian, "обонятельный" is typically reserved for technical discussions, such as in biology, medicine, or psychology, and should be inflected to match the noun it describes. For everyday language, synonyms like "нюховой" might be more appropriate. Be cautious with word order in sentences; Russian adjectives usually precede the noun. When choosing between translations, use "обонятельный" for precise, academic settings and avoid it in casual conversation to prevent sounding overly formal.

Common Errors:

• Confusing it with taste-related terms: English learners often mix "olfactory" with "gustatory" and translate it incorrectly as "вкусовой" (taste-related). Incorrect: "Обонятельный вкус" (meaning "olfactory taste"). Correct: "Обонятельный орган" for smell-related contexts. Explanation: Smell and taste are distinct senses in Russian, so ensure the context is clearly olfactory.

• Forgetting inflections: A common mistake is using the masculine form universally, e.g., saying "обонятельный система" instead of "обонятельная система" for feminine nouns. Correct usage requires proper agreement, as shown in the inflections table above.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of the senses like smell are often tied to literature and poetry, such as in works by Pushkin or Chekhov, where olfactory descriptions evoke emotions or memories. However, "olfactory" terms like "обонятельный" are more prominent in scientific fields rather than everyday cultural expressions, reflecting Russia's emphasis on intellectual and medical traditions.

Related Concepts:

• зрительный (visual)
• слуховой (auditory)
• вкусовой (gustatory)
• осязательный (tactile)