Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prolate'

English Word: prolate

Key Russian Translations:

• продолговатый [prə.dɐl.ɡɐ.'va.tɨj] - [Formal, Technical; Used in scientific or mathematical contexts]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized fields like mathematics, physics, or geometry; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with technical vocabulary and basic Russian adjective inflections, making it challenging for beginners but manageable for intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

продолговатый: [prə.dɐl.ɡɐ.'va.tɨj]

Note on продолговатый: The stress falls on the third syllable ('va), and the 'г' is pronounced as a voiced fricative [ɡ], which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to harder 'g' sounds. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Elongated or extended, especially referring to shapes like spheroids that are longer along one axis (e.g., in geometry or biology).

Translation(s) & Context:

• продолговатый - Used in formal, technical contexts to describe objects or shapes that are stretched lengthwise, such as in scientific descriptions or diagrams.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: "Орбитальный путь этой планеты имеет продолговатую форму."

  English translation: "The orbital path of this planet has a prolate shape."

• Русский пример: "Фрукт, такой как банан, часто описывается как продолговатый."

  English translation: "A fruit like a banana is often described as prolate."

• Русский пример: "В математике продолговатый сфероид отличается от сферического."

  English translation: "In mathematics, a prolate spheroid is distinct from a spherical one."

• Русский пример: "Дизайнеры использовали продолговатую форму для улучшения аэродинамики."

  English translation: "Designers used a prolate shape to improve aerodynamics."

• Русский пример: "Этот кристалл имеет продолговатую структуру, что влияет на его свойства."

  English translation: "This crystal has a prolate structure, which affects its properties."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Продолговатый" is an adjective in Russian, which means it inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ый. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and follows standard Russian adjective declension rules. It does not have irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • удлинённый (udlinyonnyj) - More general term for "elongated," often used interchangeably but with a broader application.
  • продольный (prodolnyj) - Emphasizes length along an axis, suitable for linear contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • сферический (sfericheskij) - Refers to a spherical shape, contrasting with elongated forms.
  • круглый (kruglyj) - Means "round," highlighting a lack of elongation.

Related Phrases:

• продолговатый сфероид - A prolate spheroid; used in physics to describe elongated orbital shapes.
• продолговатая форма - Prolate form; common in design and biology contexts.
• иметь продолговатую структуру - To have a prolate structure; often in scientific descriptions of crystals or molecules.

Usage Notes:

"Продолговатый" directly corresponds to "prolate" in technical English contexts, particularly in geometry and science, but it's more commonly used in Russian for any elongated shape rather than specifically ellipsoids. Be mindful of its formal tone—avoid it in casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "удлинённый," opt for "продолговатый" when emphasizing a precise, axis-based elongation. Grammatically, always inflect it according to the noun it modifies, as Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "продолговатый" without proper inflection, e.g., saying "продолговатый дом" when the context requires feminine agreement like "продолговатая дом" (incorrect; should be "продолговатый дом" if masculine, but often misplaced in sentences).

  Correct: "Эта продолговатая комната" (This prolate room) - Ensure agreement with the noun's gender and case. Explanation: Russian adjectives must match the noun, so beginners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "круглый" (round), e.g., describing a prolate object as "круглый продолговатый" (which is contradictory).

  Correct: Use only "продолговатый" for elongation. Explanation: This stems from misunderstanding antonyms, so clarify the shape's characteristics first.

Cultural Notes:

While "продолговатый" itself lacks strong cultural connotations, it appears in Russian scientific literature, reflecting Russia's emphasis on mathematics and engineering education. For instance, in discussions of space exploration, like those influenced by Soviet-era achievements, terms like "продолговатый сфероид" might evoke historical contexts of orbital mechanics.

Related Concepts:

• эллипсоид (ellipsoid)
• сфероид (spheroid)
• удлинённый (elongated)