Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'precipitation'

English Word: precipitation

Key Russian Translations:

• осадки [ɐˈsadkʲɪ] - [Plural, Formal, Used in meteorological and scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in weather reports, scientific discussions, and everyday conversations about climate).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic understanding of Russian noun declensions and weather vocabulary, but not overly complex for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

осадки: [ɐˈsadkʲɪ]

Note on осадки: The stress is on the second syllable. The 'к' sound is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian and may be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native speakers for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: The process of water falling from the atmosphere, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Translation(s) & Context:

• осадки - Used in general weather contexts, such as forecasts or scientific reports, to describe any form of atmospheric moisture.

Usage Examples:

• Сегодня ожидаются обильные осадки в виде дождя.

  Today, heavy precipitation in the form of rain is expected.

• Осадки в горах часто бывают в форме снега зимой.

  Precipitation in the mountains is often in the form of snow during winter.

• Изменение климата приводит к увеличению осадков в некоторых регионах.

  Climate change leads to an increase in precipitation in some regions.

• Метеорологи изучают осадки для прогнозирования наводнений.

  Meteorologists study precipitation to forecast floods.

• Осадки могут быть редкими в пустынных районах, как в Сибири летом.

  Precipitation can be rare in desert areas, such as in Siberia during summer.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Осадки" is a plural noun (from the word "осадок", meaning sediment or deposit, but in this context, it's used for precipitation). It follows the standard declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -и in the plural form. It is invariable in number for this meteorological use and does not change in the plural form beyond basic case endings.

Note: In meteorological contexts, "осадки" is almost always used in plural and follows regular patterns without irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: дождь (rain) - More specific to liquid precipitation; снегопад (snowfall) - Specific to snow; выпадение осадков (precipitation occurrence) - Formal synonym for the process.
• Antonyms: сухость (dryness) - Refers to the absence of moisture; засуха (drought) - Indicates prolonged lack of precipitation.

Related Phrases:

• Обильные осадки - Abundant precipitation; often used in weather warnings for heavy rain or snow.
• Осадки в виде града - Precipitation in the form of hail; common in stormy weather contexts.
• Сезонные осадки - Seasonal precipitation; refers to rain or snow patterns during specific times of the year.

Usage Notes:

"Осадки" directly corresponds to the English term "precipitation" in scientific and everyday contexts, but it's primarily used in plural form. In formal settings like weather reports or academic discussions, it's the go-to word. Be mindful of its declension when used in sentences; for example, it changes based on case (e.g., "в осадках" for "in precipitation"). If you're discussing specific types, choose synonyms like "дождь" for rain to avoid ambiguity. English learners should note that Russian weather vocabulary often incorporates plural forms, which might feel unnatural at first.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осадок" in singular form to mean precipitation, which actually refers to sediment or residue.

  Correct: Осадки падают с неба. (Precipitation falls from the sky.)

  Explanation: "Осадок" is singular and not used for weather; this confusion arises from similar roots, so always opt for the plural in meteorological contexts.

• Error: Forgetting to decline "осадки" properly, e.g., saying "из осадки" instead of "из осадков".

  Correct: Из осадков образуется лёд. (Ice forms from precipitation.)

  Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; incorrect declension can make the sentence grammatically incorrect and hard to understand.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, precipitation plays a significant role in daily life and culture due to the country's vast and varied climate. For instance, heavy snowfall (a form of precipitation) is celebrated in winter festivals like those in Moscow, symbolizing the harsh yet beautiful Russian winters. This can influence language use, where terms like "осадки" evoke both practical concerns (e.g., flooding in spring) and poetic expressions in literature, such as in works by Pushkin, where weather often mirrors emotional states.

Related Concepts:

• температура (temperature)
• влажность (humidity)
• атмосферное давление (atmospheric pressure)