Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pendulum'

English Word: pendulum

Key Russian Translations:

• маятник [mɐˈjætnʲik] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in scientific, educational, or technical contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on the CEFR scale; requires basic knowledge of Russian noun declensions and scientific vocabulary.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

маятник: [mɐˈjætnʲik]

Note on маятник: The stress is on the second syllable ("jæt"). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, with the "нʲ" sound being palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A swinging weight hung from a pivot, often used in clocks or physics.

Translation(s) & Context:

• маятник - Used in formal scientific or educational contexts, such as describing mechanisms in physics or horology (e.g., in textbooks or lectures).

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В физике маятник используется для демонстрации колебательных движений.

  English translation: In physics, the pendulum is used to demonstrate oscillatory motions.

• Русский пример: Старые часы с маятником всё ещё работают в музее.

  English translation: The old clocks with pendulums are still working in the museum.

• Русский пример: Маятник в этом эксперименте раскачивается с постоянной амплитудой.

  English translation: The pendulum in this experiment swings with a constant amplitude.

• Русский пример: Дети наблюдали, как маятник качается взад-вперёд.

  English translation: The children watched as the pendulum swung back and forth.

• Русский пример: В часах Гагарина был точный маятник, обеспечивающий точное время.

  English translation: Gagarin's watch had a precise pendulum that ensured accurate timekeeping.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Маятник" is a masculine noun in the second declension. It follows regular Russian noun patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and follows standard patterns, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: колебатель (kolebatel' – used in some technical contexts for a vibrating device), но маятник is the most precise and common.
• Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms, as "маятник" is a specific object; however, in a broader sense, words like "статичный объект" (static object) could contrast its motion.

Related Phrases:

• Часовой маятник – A clock pendulum; refers to the pendulum in mechanical timepieces.
• Маятник Фуко – Foucault's pendulum; a famous scientific experiment demonstrating Earth's rotation.
• Раскачивать маятник – To swing the pendulum; metaphorically used in contexts like decision-making or physics experiments.

Usage Notes:

"Маятник" directly corresponds to the English "pendulum" in scientific and technical contexts, but it's rarely used in casual conversation. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the noun to be declined based on its role in the sentence (e.g., in genitive case after prepositions like "в"). When choosing this translation, prefer it for formal or educational settings; for metaphorical uses, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion. If multiple translations exist, "маятник" is the standard choice due to its precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the word without proper declension, e.g., saying "в маятник" instead of "в маятнике" (correct: in the pendulum). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations or states, so learners must adjust the ending accordingly.

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "маят" (an outdated or rare term). Correct usage: Stick to "маятник" for accuracy. Example of error: "Маят качается" (incorrect); Correct: "Маятник качается".

• Error: Overusing in non-scientific contexts, e.g., treating it as a verb. Explanation: It's a noun, so don't conjugate it as if it were a verb like "качаться".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the pendulum is often associated with scientific heritage, such as Foucault's pendulum experiments, which were popularized in the Soviet era to demonstrate physics education. It symbolizes precision and the passage of time, appearing in literature like in works by Russian authors discussing industrialization or modernity.

Related Concepts:

• часы (clocks)
• физика (physics)
• колебание (oscillation)
• эксперимент (experiment)