Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pentagon'

English Word: pentagon

Key Russian Translations:

• пентагон [pʲɪnˈtaɡən] - [Formal, used in mathematical or geometric contexts]
• Пентагон [pʲɪnˈtaɡən] - [Formal, used as a proper noun for the U.S. Department of Defense building or organization]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, or news contexts, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves loanwords from English/Greek; learners at this level should recognize it with some practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пентагон: [pʲɪnˈtaɡən]

Пентагон: [pʲɪnˈtaɡən] (note that the capital 'П' indicates it's a proper noun, but pronunciation remains the same)

Note on пентагон: The stress is on the second syllable ('ta'), which is common in Russian loanwords. Pay attention to the palatalized 'п' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A five-sided polygon in geometry.

Translation(s) & Context:

• пентагон - Used in academic or technical discussions about shapes and mathematics.

Usage Examples:

• В геометрии пентагон имеет пять равных сторон.

  In geometry, a pentagon has five equal sides.

• Дети учились рисовать правильный пентагон на уроке математики.

  The children were learning to draw a regular pentagon in their math class.

• Пентагон — это базовая фигура в изучении многоугольников.

  The pentagon is a basic shape in the study of polygons.

• В архитектуре пентагон иногда используется для симметричных дизайнов.

  In architecture, the pentagon is sometimes used for symmetrical designs.

2. The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense (as a proper noun).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Пентагон - Used in news, politics, or military discussions to refer specifically to the building or the organization.

Usage Examples:

• Пентагон объявил о новых военных стратегиях.

  The Pentagon announced new military strategies.

• Журналисты часто посещают Пентагон для пресс-конференций.

  Journalists often visit the Pentagon for press conferences.

• Пентагон играет ключевую роль в национальной обороне США.

  The Pentagon plays a key role in U.S. national defense.

• Во время кризиса Пентагон координирует действия вооруженных сил.

  During a crisis, the Pentagon coordinates the actions of the armed forces.

• Пентагон — это не только здание, но и символ американской мощи.

  The Pentagon is not just a building but also a symbol of American power.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "пентагон" and "Пентагон" are masculine nouns in Russian. "пентагон" (as a common noun) follows standard first-declension patterns for borrowed words, while "Пентагон" (as a proper noun) is often undeclined in practice. Here is a table for the inflections of "пентагон" (common noun):

For "Пентагон" as a proper noun, it typically remains unchanged: e.g., в Пентагоне (in the Pentagon). Note that inflection can vary based on context, but it's often invariant.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пятиугольник (more literal for the geometric shape, emphasizing "five-sided") - Often used interchangeably in everyday math talk.
  • регулярный пентагон (for a regular pentagon, specifying regularity).
• Antonyms:
  • квадрат (square) - Refers to a four-sided shape, contrasting with the five sides of a pentagon.
  • треугольник (triangle) - A three-sided shape, highlighting the difference in sides.

Related Phrases:

• Правильный пентагон - A regular pentagon; refers to a pentagon with equal sides and angles.
• Здание Пентагона - The Pentagon building; commonly used in discussions about U.S. government structures.
• Пентагональный дизайн - Pentagon design; used in architecture or art to describe five-sided patterns.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "пентагон" directly corresponds to the English "pentagon" in geometric contexts, derived from Greek roots, making it a straightforward loanword. For the proper noun, "Пентагон" is always capitalized and used specifically for the U.S. Department of Defense, so avoid using it in non-military contexts. When choosing between translations, opt for "пятиугольник" if a more native Russian term is preferred in educational settings. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as it's a masculine noun (e.g., этот пентагон is correct). In formal writing, ensure proper declension to match the sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "пентагон" without declension in required cases, e.g., saying "в пентагон" instead of "в пентагоне".
  Correct: в пентагоне (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the grammatical role.
• Mistake: Confusing "Пентагон" with general shapes, e.g., using it to mean any five-sided figure in math.
  Correct: Use "пентагон" for geometry; reserve "Пентагон" for the U.S. entity. Explanation: This mix-up can lead to misunderstandings in context-specific discussions.
• Mistake: Pronouncing it as [pen-ta-gon] without the Russian palatalization.
  Correct: [pʲɪnˈtaɡən] with a soft 'п'. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian phonetic rules, which can make the word sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

The term "Пентагон" carries significant cultural and political weight in Russian-speaking contexts, often symbolizing U.S. military power and foreign policy. In Russian media, it's frequently referenced in discussions about international relations, evoking Cold War-era tensions or modern geopolitical events. This usage highlights how borrowed words can acquire cultural connotations beyond their original meaning.

Related Concepts:

• шестиугольник (hexagon)
• квадрат (square)
• треугольник (triangle)
• многоугольник (polygon)