Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sewage'

English Word: sewage

Key Russian Translations:

• канализация [kənəlʲɪˈzatsɨə] - [Formal, Singular, Used in technical or infrastructural contexts]
• сточные воды [ˈstɔt͡ɕnɨje ˈvodɨ] - [Formal, Plural, Used when referring to liquid waste directly]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about urban infrastructure, environmental issues, or engineering, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; learners at this level should understand basic environmental and technical terms, though pronunciation and inflections may pose challenges)

Pronunciation (Russian):

канализация: [kənəlʲɪˈzatsɨə]

Note on канализация: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("za"), which is a common feature in Russian words ending in -ция. Be mindful of the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

сточные воды: [ˈstɔt͡ɕnɨje ˈvodɨ]

Note on сточные воды: The word is plural and features a palatalized 'т' in "сточные," which softens the sound. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but the standard is as above.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Wastewater or sewage system (Referring to waste matter, wastewater, or the infrastructure for its management)

Translation(s) & Context:

• канализация - Used in formal contexts for the system of pipes and infrastructure that carries away waste, such as in urban planning or environmental reports.
• сточные воды - Applied specifically to the liquid waste itself, often in scientific, ecological, or regulatory discussions.

Usage Examples:

• В городе часто происходят аварии в канализации из-за старых труб.

  In the city, accidents in the sewage system often occur due to old pipes.

• Сточные воды с промышленных предприятий загрязняют реки и озёра.

  Sewage from industrial plants pollutes rivers and lakes.

• Муниципалитет инвестирует в модернизацию канализации для улучшения экологии.

  The municipality is investing in the modernization of the sewage system to improve ecology.

• Во время дождя сточные воды переполняют систему и вызывают наводнения.

  During rain, sewage overflows the system and causes flooding.

• Канализация в этом районе не справляется с увеличенным потоком отходов.

  The sewage system in this area cannot handle the increased flow of waste.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Канализация" is a feminine noun (first declension) and follows regular patterns in Russian grammar. It changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a declension table for "канализация" (singular):

"Сточные воды" is a plural noun phrase (with "сточные" as an adjective agreeing with "воды" in plural feminine). "Воды" is a feminine plural noun and inflects as follows (partial table for "воды" in plural):

Both words are invariant in terms of gender but change with case as shown. "Канализация" can also form plurals in rare contexts (e.g., multiple systems), but it's typically singular.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: отходы (waste in general), водоотвод (drainage system) - "Отходы" is broader and less specific to liquids, while "водоотвод" emphasizes water flow.
• Antonyms: чистая вода (clean water), питьевая вода (drinking water) - These refer to uncontaminated water sources.

Related Phrases:

• Система канализации - The sewage system; Used in discussions of urban infrastructure.
• Очистка сточных вод - Sewage treatment; Common in environmental contexts.
• Авария в канализации - Sewage system breakdown; Refers to emergencies like leaks.

Usage Notes:

Use "канализация" when referring to the physical infrastructure, similar to "sewage system" in English, and reserve "сточные воды" for the actual waste material. Both are formal and technical; avoid in casual speech. In Russian, ensure adjective agreement (e.g., "сточные" must agree with the noun). When choosing between translations, opt for "канализация" in engineering or municipal contexts and "сточные воды" in ecological ones. Grammatically, always check case endings to match the sentence structure.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "канализация" with "водопровод" (water supply), leading to misuse like saying "канализация" for clean water pipes. Correct: Use "канализация" only for waste systems. Example of error: "Канализация подает воду в дом" (incorrect). Correct: "Водопровод подает воду в дом" (The water supply delivers water to the house).
• Error: Forgetting plural forms, e.g., using "сточная вода" instead of "сточные воды." Correct: Always use plural for "waters" in this context. Example of error: "Сточная вода чистая" (incorrect plural). Correct: "Сточные воды очищены" (The sewage has been treated).

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, discussions around "канализация" and "сточные воды" often tie into broader environmental and urban development issues, especially in cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg with aging infrastructure. Historically, rapid industrialization in the Soviet era led to expanded sewage systems, but maintenance challenges persist, reflecting cultural attitudes toward public services and ecology.

Related Concepts:

• экология (ecology)
• водоснабжение (water supply)
• отходы (waste)