Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'satellite'

English Word: satellite

Key Russian Translations:

• спутник [ˈsputnʲɪk] - [Formal, used in scientific, technological, and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly encountered in discussions of science, technology, and space, but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the basic meaning and usage, though mastering inflections and pronunciation may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

спутник: [ˈsputnʲɪk]

Note on спутник: The stress is on the first syllable. The 'тн' combination can be tricky for English speakers, as it involves a palatalized 'н' sound, similar to the 'n' in 'onion'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A celestial body orbiting a planet (e.g., the Moon)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спутник - Used in astronomical and scientific contexts to refer to natural or artificial objects orbiting larger bodies; formal and neutral language.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Луна — это естественный спутник Земли, который влияет на приливы и отливы.

  English: The Moon is a natural satellite of Earth that influences tides and currents.

• Русский: Первый искусственный спутник, запущенный СССР, revolutionized global communications.

  English: The first artificial satellite launched by the USSR revolutionized global communications.

• Русский: Спутник Юпитера, такой как Европа, может содержать подледные океаны.

  English: A satellite of Jupiter, such as Europa, may contain subsurface oceans.

• Русский: Современные спутники используются для навигации, как в GPS-системах.

  English: Modern satellites are used for navigation, as in GPS systems.

Figurative meaning: A subordinate or accompanying entity (e.g., a follower or ally)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спутник - Used metaphorically in literature or politics to denote something or someone that accompanies or depends on another; can be formal or informal depending on context.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В романе герой путешествует с верным спутником, который помогает ему в опасных ситуациях.

  English: In the novel, the hero travels with a faithful satellite who helps him in dangerous situations.

• Русский: Политические спутники лидера часто повторяют его идеи без критики.

  English: Political satellites of the leader often repeat his ideas without criticism.

• Русский: В науке теория Эйнштейна имеет спутников в виде подтверждающих экспериментов.

  English: In science, Einstein's theory has satellites in the form of supporting experiments.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Спу́тник is a masculine noun of the third declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most forms but has some variations in plural. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariable in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • спутник орбиты (orbital companion) - More specific to astronomical contexts.
  • сателлит (satellit) - A borrowed term, used in technical or modern contexts with slight nuances for artificial satellites.
• Antonyms:
  • центр (center) - In a figurative sense, implying the opposite of a peripheral or dependent entity.

Related Phrases:

• Искусственный спутник - Artificial satellite; used in discussions of space technology and communications.
• Спутник связи - Communications satellite; common in modern tech contexts for broadcasting and internet.
• Естественный спутник - Natural satellite; refers to moons or asteroids in astronomy.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "спутник" directly corresponds to "satellite" in English, covering both literal (e.g., celestial bodies) and figurative meanings (e.g., a follower). It is versatile and neutral, suitable for formal writing, scientific discussions, or everyday conversation. When choosing this translation, consider the context: for technological applications, pair it with adjectives like "искусственный" to specify. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires agreement in gender, number, and case with accompanying words. English learners should note that Russian often requires prepositions for spatial relationships, e.g., "спутник Земли" instead of just "Earth's satellite."

• In informal speech, "спутник" can be used metaphorically without much elaboration, but in formal contexts, provide additional details for clarity.
• If multiple translations exist (e.g., for subtypes), select based on specificity to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

One common mistake for English learners is incorrect case usage. For example, beginners might say "Я вижу спутник" when meaning "I see the satellite of Earth," but forget to adjust for genitive: Incorrect: "Я вижу спутник Земли" (properly, it's already correct here, but errors occur in more complex sentences). Correct: Use genitive for possession, e.g., "Спутник Земли" instead of mistakenly using nominative in all cases. Another error is mispronouncing the palatalized 'н', saying [ˈsputnik] like English, which can make it sound unnatural. Explanation: Russian requires precise declension to convey relationships, so always check the case based on the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

The word "спутник" holds significant cultural and historical importance in Russia due to the Sputnik 1 satellite, launched by the Soviet Union in 1957 as the first artificial Earth satellite. This event sparked the Space Race and symbolized technological prowess during the Cold War, influencing global perceptions of Russian innovation. In contemporary culture, it evokes pride and is often referenced in media to discuss space exploration achievements.

Related Concepts:

• орбита (orbit)
• планета (planet)
• космос (space)