Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'puissance'

English Word: puissance

Key Russian Translations:

• мощность [mɐʂnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Technical; used in contexts like engineering or physics]
• сила [sʲilə] - [Informal, General; commonly used in everyday language for physical or abstract strength]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'puissance' is relatively rare in English, so its Russian equivalents are encountered in specific fields like technology or sports, but not in daily conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but understanding nuances in technical contexts may require additional practice. For 'мощность', it leans toward B2 due to its abstract nature; 'сила' is slightly easier at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мощность: [mɐʂnəsʲtʲ] (The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'sh' with a palatal element, which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress on the second syllable.)

Note on мощность: Be careful with the soft sign 'ь' at the end, which softens the preceding consonant but doesn't affect pronunciation much in this case.

сила: [sʲilə] (The initial 'с' is palatalized, sounding like a soft 's' before 'и'. Stress on the first syllable.)

Note on сила: This word has a clear, straightforward pronunciation, but variations in regional accents (e.g., in Russian dialects) might soften the vowels slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Power or strength, often in a mechanical, electrical, or abstract sense (e.g., the capability of an engine or a force).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мощность - Used in formal, technical contexts, such as describing engine power or energy output.
• сила - Applied in more general or informal settings, like physical strength or metaphorical power.

Usage Examples:

• Электрическая мощность этого двигателя достигает 150 лошадиных сил.

  The electric power of this engine reaches 150 horsepower. (This example shows 'мощность' in a technical context, highlighting its use with measurements.)

• В спорте, сила атлета играет ключевую роль в успехе.

  In sports, an athlete's strength plays a key role in success. (Here, 'сила' is used informally to describe physical capability, common in everyday discussions.)

• Мощность ветра в шторм может быть опасной для зданий.

  The power of the wind in a storm can be dangerous for buildings. (This demonstrates 'мощность' in a natural phenomenon context, emphasizing its formal tone.)

• Её сила воли помогла ей преодолеть трудности.

  Her strength of will helped her overcome difficulties. (This uses 'сила' metaphorically, showing its flexibility in abstract scenarios.)

• Инженеры измеряют мощность машины для оптимизации производительности.

  Engineers measure the power of the machine to optimize performance. (Another example of 'мощность' in a professional setting, illustrating grammatical structures like direct objects.)

Meaning 2: Authority or influence, particularly in historical or equestrian contexts (e.g., as in 'puissance' in show jumping).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сила - In equestrian or metaphorical contexts, implying dominance or capability.
• мощность - Less common here, but could be used for the 'power' aspect in competitive events.

Usage Examples:

• В конных соревнованиях, сила лошади определяется по прыжкам.

  In equestrian competitions, a horse's power is determined by its jumps. (This shows 'сила' in a specific cultural context like sports, with a focus on action verbs.)

• Мощность правителя в истории часто зависела от его армии.

  The power of a ruler in history often depended on their army. (Using 'мощность' to convey authority, demonstrating its adaptability in historical narratives.)

• Её сила убеждения изменила исход переговоров.

  Her power of persuasion changed the outcome of the negotiations. (Abstract use of 'сила', illustrating idiomatic expressions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'мощность' and 'сила' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Мощность' is a third-declension noun with some irregularities, while 'сила' is more straightforward.

Note: 'Сила' has a more regular pattern and doesn't change in some forms, making it easier for beginners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for мощность: энергия (energy), сила (strength, with subtle differences in intensity), потенциал (potential)
• Synonyms for сила: мощь (might, more poetic), энергия (energy, overlapping in dynamic contexts)
• Antonyms: слабость (weakness), немощь (infirmity, for мощность), бессилие (impotence, for сила)

Note: 'Энергия' as a synonym for мощность often implies a more vibrant or kinetic form, while for сила, it might emphasize endurance over raw power.

Related Phrases:

• Мощность двигателя - Engine power; a common technical phrase in automotive contexts.
• Сила воли - Strength of will; used to describe mental resilience in personal development.
• Полная мощность - Full power; often in machinery or energy discussions.
• Физическая сила - Physical strength; a phrase highlighting bodily capabilities.

Usage Notes:

'Puissance' in English often carries a formal or archaic tone, similar to how 'мощность' is used in Russian for technical precision, whereas 'сила' is more versatile and everyday. Choose 'мощность' for contexts involving measurements or machinery, and 'сила' for emotional or physical descriptions. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences, as both words are feminine and must agree with adjectives and verbs accordingly. In formal writing, 'мощность' pairs well with scientific terms, while 'сила' fits narrative or conversational styles.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'мощность' with 'сила' and using them interchangeably. For example, a learner might say "сила двигателя" instead of "мощность двигателя".

  Correct: Use "мощность двигателя" for technical accuracy, as it specifically denotes power output. Explanation: 'Сила' implies general strength, not measurable power, leading to miscommunication in professional settings.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, such as saying "мощность" in the genitive case as "мощность" instead of "мощности".

  Correct: "Мощности двигателя" (of the engine's power). Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case, and forgetting this can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'сила' often evoke themes from literature and folklore, such as in folktales where heroes demonstrate immense strength, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on resilience and endurance. 'Мощность', on the other hand, ties into modern industrial prowess, symbolizing Russia's advancements in technology and space exploration, like in references to rocket engines.

Related Concepts:

• энергия
• потенциал
• влияние
• мощь