Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'phosphate'

English Word: phosphate

Key Russian Translations:

• фосфат [fɐsˈfat] - [Formal] (Used in scientific and technical contexts)

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, chemical, and agricultural discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Suitable for learners with basic vocabulary in science-related topics; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions

Pronunciation (Russian):

фосфат: [fɐsˈfat]

Note on фосфат: The stress falls on the second syllable ("fat"), which is a common feature in Russian loanwords from scientific English. Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, such as softer vowels in Southern Russian accents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The chemical compound containing phosphorus, often referring to salts of phosphoric acid.

Translation(s) & Context:

• фосфат - Used in chemistry, biology, and agriculture to describe phosphate compounds; typically in formal or technical contexts, such as laboratory reports or environmental discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В почве содержится много фосфата, что способствует росту растений.

  In the soil, there is a lot of phosphate, which promotes plant growth.

• Фосфат используется в производстве удобрений для повышения урожайности.

  Phosphate is used in fertilizer production to increase crop yields.

• Химики изучают влияние фосфата на окружающую среду.

  Chemists are studying the impact of phosphate on the environment.

• Дефицит фосфата в организме может привести к проблемам с костями.

  A deficiency of phosphate in the body can lead to bone problems.

• В лабораторных экспериментах фосфат часто комбинируется с другими минералами.

  In laboratory experiments, phosphate is often combined with other minerals.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Фосфат" is a masculine noun (мужской род) in Russian, following the standard third declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It undergoes regular inflection for cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • фосфорное соединение (fosfornoye soedineniye) - A broader term for phosphorus-based compounds; used when more general description is needed.
  • фосфатид (fosfatid) - Specifically for phospholipid compounds in biochemistry.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "фосфат" is a specific chemical term without direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Фосфат натрия - Sodium phosphate; a common salt used in food additives and detergents.
• Кислый фосфат - Acid phosphate; refers to acidic forms in chemical reactions.
• Фосфат кальция - Calcium phosphate; important in bone health and fertilizers, with applications in nutrition.

Usage Notes:

"Фосфат" directly corresponds to the English "phosphate" in scientific contexts, but it's important to note that Russian often uses it in formal writing or technical discussions. Always consider the grammatical case when using it in sentences; for example, in prepositional phrases, it changes to "фосфате". If multiple translations exist, choose based on specificity—e.g., use "фосфат" for general chemistry and "фосфатид" for biological contexts. Avoid using in casual conversation, as it's domain-specific.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Forgetting to decline the noun correctly, e.g., using "фосфат" in the genitive case as "фосфат" instead of "фосфата".

  Correct Usage: Incorrect: "Отсутствие фосфат в почве." Correct: "Отсутствие фосфата в почве." (Explanation: The genitive case is required after words like "отсутствие".)

• Common Error: Confusing it with "фосфор" (phosphorus), leading to misuse in sentences.

  Correct Usage: Incorrect: "Фосфор используется в удобрениях" (if meaning phosphate). Correct: "Фосфат используется в удобрениях." (Explanation: "Фосфор" refers to the element, while "фосфат" refers to compounds.)

Cultural Notes:

"Фосфат" as a term doesn't carry significant cultural connotations in Russian everyday life, but it's prominent in the context of Russia's agricultural and industrial history. For instance, phosphate mining in regions like the Kola Peninsula has been economically important, reflecting Russia's focus on resource extraction and scientific advancement in the post-Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• фосфор
• удобрение
• минерал