Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'selenium'

English Word: selenium

Key Russian Translations:

• селен [ˈsʲe.lʲɪn] - [Formal; Used in scientific and technical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific literature, chemistry, and technology discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and scientific vocabulary, but straightforward for learners with some exposure to technical terms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

селен: [ˈsʲe.lʲɪn]

Note on селен: The initial 'с' is pronounced as a soft 's' sound [sʲ], which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A chemical element with the symbol Se, known for its use in electronics, glass production, and as a dietary supplement.

Translation(s) & Context:

• селен - Used in formal scientific, medical, or industrial contexts to refer to the element in its pure form or compounds.

Usage Examples:

• Селен является важным микроэлементом в человеческом организме.

  Selenium is an important micronutrient in the human body.

• В промышленности селен используют для производства солнечных панелей.

  In industry, selenium is used for producing solar panels.

• Дефицит селена может привести к проблемам со щитовидной железой.

  A deficiency of selenium can lead to problems with the thyroid gland.

• Селен в чистом виде имеет металлический блеск и серый цвет.

  Selenium in its pure form has a metallic sheen and gray color.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Селен is a masculine noun in the second declension (second grammatical gender in Russian). It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: As a non-living noun, the accusative singular is identical to the nominative.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Селеновый элемент (selenovy element) - Emphasizes its elemental form, used in precise scientific contexts.
  • Se (as an abbreviation, but less common in full Russian text).
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "selenium" is a specific element. However, related concepts might include other elements like свинец (lead) in contrast for toxicity discussions.

Related Phrases:

• Дефицит селена в рационе - Shortage of selenium in the diet; Common in nutritional advice.
• Селен в органических соединениях - Selenium in organic compounds; Used in chemistry and biology contexts.
• Источники селена в природе - Sources of selenium in nature; Often discussed in environmental science.

Usage Notes:

The Russian term "селен" directly corresponds to the English "selenium" in scientific and technical contexts, maintaining a one-to-one match for the chemical element. It is primarily used in formal settings, such as academic papers or medical discussions, and is gender-neutral in application. When choosing this translation, ensure the context is scientific; for everyday language, learners might confuse it with similar-sounding words. Grammatically, always treat it as a masculine noun and adjust for case based on sentence structure, e.g., use genitive for possession like "содержание селена" (content of selenium).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "селин" instead of "селен" due to anglicized pronunciation. Correct: "селен" is the standard form. Explanation: This misspelling arises from over-reliance on English phonetics; always use the correct Russian spelling to avoid confusion in written contexts.

• Error: Failing to decline the noun properly, e.g., saying "в селен" instead of "в селене" in prepositional case. Correct: в селене (in selenium). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so learners must memorize declension patterns to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, "селен" is often discussed in the context of health and environmental issues, such as soil deficiency in certain regions of Russia, which can affect agriculture. This reflects broader cultural emphasis on natural resources and public health, stemming from historical experiences with industrialization and environmental challenges during the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• Сера (sulfur)
• Теллур (tellurium)
• Микроэлементы (micronutrients)