Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reservoir'

English Word: reservoir

Key Russian Translations:

• водохранилище [vɐdɐxrɐˈnʲilʲɪʃt͡ɕe] - [Formal, used for artificial water storage]
• резервуар [rʲɪzʲɪrˈvuar] - [Formal, more general for containers or tanks]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in technical, environmental, and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and technical terms, though basic forms are accessible to learners at this level).

Pronunciation (Russian):

водохранилище: [vɐdɐxrɐˈnʲilʲɪʃt͡ɕe]

резервуар: [rʲɪzʲɪrˈvuar]

Note on водохранилище: The stress falls on the fourth syllable; be cautious with the soft consonants, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalization.

Note on резервуар: Pronounced with a French-influenced borrowing, so the "r" is rolled; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply (e.g., for cities or irrigation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• водохранилище - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as environmental discussions or engineering.
• резервуар - Less common for water-specific reservoirs; used when emphasizing storage capacity in general.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Городское водохранилище переполнено после обильных дождей.

  English Translation: The city's reservoir is overflowing after heavy rains. (Shows use in a descriptive, environmental context.)

• Русский пример: Инженеры проверяют уровень воды в водохранилище каждую неделю.

  English Translation: Engineers check the water level in the reservoir every week. (Demonstrates use with verbs of maintenance.)

• Русский пример: В засушливые периоды водохранилище становится жизненно важным для сельского хозяйства.

  English Translation: During dry periods, the reservoir becomes vital for agriculture. (Illustrates use in a broader ecological or seasonal context.)

• Русский пример: Старое водохранилище было построено в XIX веке и до сих пор функционирует.

  English Translation: The old reservoir was built in the 19th century and still functions today. (Highlights historical usage.)

Meaning 2: A container or tank for storing liquids, gases, or other substances (more general sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• резервуар - Preferred in industrial or mechanical contexts, such as fuel storage.
• водохранилище - Occasionally used metaphorically, but less common for non-water applications.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: В автомобиле есть резервуар для топлива, который нужно регулярно проверять.

  English Translation: In the car, there is a reservoir for fuel that needs to be checked regularly. (Shows use in everyday technical contexts.)

• Русский пример: Фабрика имеет большой резервуар для хранения химических веществ.

  English Translation: The factory has a large reservoir for storing chemicals. (Demonstrates use in an industrial setting.)

• Русский пример: Резервуар в подвале дома используется для дождевой воды.

  English Translation: The reservoir in the house basement is used for rainwater. (Illustrates domestic application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "водохранилище" and "резервуар" are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. "Водохранилище" is a more complex word and inflects regularly, while "резервуар" is often treated as indeclinable in modern usage due to its borrowed origin.

Note: "Резервуар" may not change in all cases, especially in informal speech, making it simpler for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: озеро (lake), бассейн (basin or pool), хранилище (storage facility)
• Antonyms: пустыня (desert, implying lack of water), - (few direct antonyms, as it's a physical object)

Explanation: "Озеро" is a synonym for natural reservoirs, while "бассейн" might imply a smaller, man-made version; differences depend on context.

Related Phrases:

• Водохранилище ГЭС - Hydroelectric reservoir (a common phrase in energy contexts).
• Резервуар топлива - Fuel reservoir (used in automotive or aviation settings).
• Заполнить водохранилище - To fill the reservoir (a practical action phrase).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "водохранилище" directly corresponds to the water-related meaning of "reservoir" and is preferred in formal or scientific English translations. Choose "резервуар" for more general storage contexts to avoid confusion. Be mindful of the noun's declension in sentences, as Russian requires case agreement (e.g., use genitive for possession). This word is neutral in tone but may carry connotations of engineering or environmental importance in Russian media.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "водохранилище" interchangeably with "резервуар" without context, e.g., saying "водохранилище топлива" instead of "резервуар топлива". Correct: Резервуар топлива. Explanation: "Водохранилище" specifically implies water, so it can mislead in non-aqueous contexts.
• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "в водохранилище" incorrectly as "в водохранилища". Correct: в водохранилище (prepositional case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, which English learners often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, reservoirs like the Volga River's system hold cultural and historical significance, symbolizing Soviet-era engineering feats. They often appear in literature and media as symbols of progress or environmental challenges, such as in discussions about flooding or water management in rural areas.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• озеро (lake)
• ГЭС (hydroelectric power station)