Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'plutonium'

English Word: plutonium

Key Russian Translations:

• плутоний [pluˈtonʲij] - [Formal, Scientific; Used in technical and academic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific literature and discussions on nuclear energy, but rare in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; Requires familiarity with scientific terminology and Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of intermediate vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

плутоний: [pluˈtonʲij]

Note on плутоний: The stress falls on the second syllable ("to"). Pay attention to the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. This is a loanword from English, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward but requires practice for the Russian-specific softening.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A radioactive metallic element (atomic number 94) used in nuclear reactors and weapons.

Translation(s) & Context:

• плутоний - Used in scientific, technical, or educational contexts to refer to the chemical element; typically formal and precise.

Usage Examples:

• Плутоний используется в ядерных реакторах для производства энергии.

  Plutonium is used in nuclear reactors to produce energy.

• Открытие плутония в 1940 году revolutionized ядерную физику.

  The discovery of plutonium in 1940 revolutionized nuclear physics.

• В природе плутоний встречается в малых количествах, но он критически важен для атомной индустрии.

  Plutonium occurs in small quantities in nature, but it is critically important for the atomic industry.

• Исследования свойств плутония продолжаются в лабораториях по всему миру.

  Research on the properties of plutonium continues in laboratories around the world.

• Плутоний имеет высокую радиоактивность, поэтому с ним нужно обращаться с осторожностью.

  Plutonium has high radioactivity, so it must be handled with caution.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Плутоний" is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows standard patterns for borrowed scientific terms. Below is a table showing its basic inflections for singular and plural forms across cases:

Note: As a scientific term, it is often used in the nominative case. Plural forms are less common but may appear in contexts discussing multiple isotopes or samples.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: None specific; it is a precise scientific term. However, in broader contexts, it might be grouped with other transuranic elements like "трансурановые элементы" (transuranic elements), though not direct synonyms.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as this is a specific element name without direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• Ядерный плутоний - Refers to plutonium used in nuclear applications; often in discussions of energy or weapons.
• Изотопы плутония - Means "isotopes of plutonium"; used in scientific contexts to discuss variants like Pu-239.
• Плутоний-239 - A specific isotope; highlights plutonium in nuclear fission contexts.

Usage Notes:

This term directly corresponds to the English "plutonium" as a loanword in Russian, making it straightforward for English speakers. It is primarily restricted to formal, scientific, or technical domains, such as physics, chemistry, and nuclear policy discussions. Avoid using it in casual conversation, as it may sound overly technical. When choosing translations, "плутоний" is the standard and only accurate option. Grammatically, remember its masculine gender and third-declension patterns for correct sentence integration, e.g., in prepositional phrases like "о плутонии" (about plutonium).

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the word: English learners often stress the wrong syllable, saying [ˈplutonij] instead of [pluˈtonʲij]. Correct usage: Always stress the second syllable and soften the 'н' sound.
• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in different cases, e.g., saying "в плутоний" (wrong) instead of "в плутонии" (correct for prepositional case). Explanation: This can lead to grammatical errors; always check the case based on sentence structure.
• Confusing with similar terms: Mixing it up with " pluton" (a geological term, unrelated), resulting in "плутон" instead of "плутоний." Correct: Use "плутоний" specifically for the element.

Cultural Notes:

"Плутоний" carries significant cultural and historical connotations in Russia, linked to the Cold War era and the Soviet nuclear program. It symbolizes both scientific advancement and the dangers of nuclear proliferation, as seen in events like the development of the atomic bomb. In Russian media and literature, it often appears in discussions of energy independence or global security, reflecting Russia's role in nuclear technology.

Related Concepts:

• уран (uranium)
• нейтрон (neutron)
• радиоактивность (radioactivity)
• ядерное оружие (nuclear weapons)