Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'permafrost'

English Word: permafrost

Key Russian Translations:

• вечная мерзлота [ˈvʲetʂnəjə mʲɪrzɫətə] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, geographical, and environmental contexts, especially in discussions about climate change or Arctic regions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with Russian scientific terminology and noun-adjective agreements; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.

Pronunciation (Russian):

вечная мерзлота: [ˈvʲetʂnəjə mʲɪrzɫətə]

Note on вечная мерзлота: The stress falls on the first syllable of "вечная" (ˈvʲetʂnəjə), and the "р" in "мерзлота" is rolled. Be mindful of the palatalized consonants, which are common in Russian and can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Permanently frozen ground that remains at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вечная мерзлота - Used in formal scientific, environmental, or geographical discussions, often in contexts related to climate science or Arctic exploration.

Usage Examples:

• Вечная мерзлота в Сибири тает из-за глобального потепления.

  The permafrost in Siberia is melting due to global warming.

• Исследования вечной мерзлоты помогают понять изменения климата.

  Studies of permafrost help understand climate changes.

• Вечная мерзлота покрывает около 65% территории России.

  Permafrost covers about 65% of Russia's territory.

• Размораживание вечной мерзлоты может высвободить древние бактерии.

  The thawing of permafrost could release ancient bacteria.

• В вечной мерзлоте сохраняются останки мамонтов из ледникового периода.

  In permafrost, remains of mammoths from the Ice Age are preserved.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"вечная мерзлота" is a noun phrase where "вечная" is a feminine adjective and "мерзлота" is a feminine noun. Russian nouns and adjectives inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Мерзлота" follows the standard feminine noun declension pattern, while "вечная" agrees with it in gender, number, and case.

Note: This phrase is relatively stable but changes with adjectives to match the noun's form. It does not have irregular inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • постоянно замёрзший грунт (more descriptive, used in technical contexts; implies the same frozen state but emphasizes permanence)
  • вечномёрзлый слой (focuses on the layered aspect, common in geological reports)
• Antonyms:
  • талый грунт (thawed ground, used to describe areas where permafrost has melted)
  • незамерзшая почва (unfrozen soil, contrasting with permanent freezing)

Related Phrases:

• зона вечной мерзлоты - Zone of permafrost; refers to regions where permafrost is prevalent, often in Arctic or sub-Arctic areas.
• размораживание вечной мерзлоты - Thawing of permafrost; used in discussions about climate impacts.
• вечная мерзлота в Арктике - Permafrost in the Arctic; highlights specific geographical contexts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "вечная мерзлота" directly corresponds to "permafrost" in English and is the standard term in scientific literature. It is typically used in formal contexts, such as academic papers or environmental reports. Always ensure adjective-noun agreement; for example, use the genitive case in phrases like "изменения вечной мерзлоты" (changes of permafrost). If multiple translations exist, choose "вечная мерзлота" for general use, but opt for synonyms like "постоянно замёрзший грунт" when emphasizing soil composition. Be aware of regional variations, as this term is more common in Russian-speaking areas with cold climates.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "в вечная мерзлота" instead of "в вечной мерзлоте" (prepositional case). Correct: "В вечной мерзлоте часто встречаются окаменелости." (In permafrost, fossils are often found.) Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, and English speakers might overlook this due to English's lack of cases.

• Error: Confusing with similar terms, e.g., using "мерзлый" alone without "вечная," which implies temporary freezing. Correct: Use "вечная мерзлота" for permanence. Explanation: "Мерзлый" means "frozen" in a general sense, so it doesn't convey the long-term aspect of permafrost.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and geography, "вечная мерзлота" is deeply tied to the vast Siberian and Arctic landscapes, symbolizing the harsh, enduring nature of Russia's northern regions. It often appears in discussions about environmental challenges, such as global warming's impact on indigenous communities, and has historical significance in Soviet-era explorations, like those led by scientists studying the permafrost for resource extraction.

Related Concepts:

• глобальное потепление (global warming)
• Арктический климат (Arctic climate)
• замерзшая почва (frozen soil)