Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shipwreck'

English Word: shipwreck

Key Russian Translations:

• кораблекрушение (/kərəblʲɪˈkruʂɪnʲjə/) - [Formal, used in contexts involving maritime disasters]

Frequency: Medium (This word is not everyday vocabulary but appears in discussions of history, news, and literature related to maritime events.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and vocabulary related to transportation and disasters.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кораблекрушение: /kərəblʲɪˈkruʂɪnʲjə/

Note on кораблекрушение: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("kruʂ"). Be cautious with the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in pronunciation may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The event of a ship sinking or being destroyed, often resulting in loss of life or cargo.

Translation(s) & Context:

• кораблекрушение - Used in formal or narrative contexts, such as news reports, historical accounts, or literature describing maritime accidents.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: "Кораблекрушение 'Титаника' стало одной из самых трагических катастроф в истории мореплавания."

  English: "The shipwreck of the Titanic became one of the most tragic disasters in maritime history."

• Русский: "После кораблекрушения выжившие провели несколько дней на плоту в открытом океане."

  English: "After the shipwreck, the survivors spent several days on a raft in the open ocean."

• Русский: "Музей выставляет артефакты с места кораблекрушения, датированного XVIII веком."

  English: "The museum displays artifacts from the shipwreck site dating back to the 18th century."

• Русский: "Кораблекрушение привело к международному расследованию и новым правилам безопасности на море."

  English: "The shipwreck led to an international investigation and new safety regulations at sea."

• Русский: "В романе подробно описывается кораблекрушение и борьба за выживание героев."

  English: "The novel vividly describes the shipwreck and the heroes' struggle for survival."

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Кораблекрушение" is a neuter noun in Russian, and it follows the standard third-declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -ие. It is inflected based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its key forms:

Note: This noun is regular in its inflections, but pay attention to the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation in certain cases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • авария судна (ship accident; less formal and broader in scope)
  • крушение корабля (shipwreck; similar but often used in poetic or historical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • спасение (rescue; implies successful avoidance of disaster)

Related Phrases:

• Выжить в кораблекрушении - (To survive a shipwreck; Used in survival stories or emergency contexts.)
• Место кораблекрушения - (Shipwreck site; Refers to the location where the event occurred, often in archaeological or exploratory contexts.)
• Последствия кораблекрушения - (Consequences of a shipwreck; Discusses the aftermath, such as environmental impact or legal ramifications.)

Usage Notes:

"Кораблекрушение" directly corresponds to the English "shipwreck" in its literal sense, focusing on the catastrophic event involving a vessel. It is typically used in formal writing, news, or educational contexts rather than casual conversation. When choosing between synonyms like "авария судна," opt for "кораблекрушение" if the emphasis is on total destruction or historical significance. Grammatically, always ensure proper declension based on sentence structure, as Russian requires nouns to agree in case with other elements.

• In informal speech, Russians might use simpler phrases like "корабль утонул" (the ship sank), but "кораблекрушение" adds a layer of formality and detail.
• Be mindful of context: In legal or investigative scenarios, it pairs well with terms like "расследование" (investigation).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кораблекрушение" interchangeably with "авария" without considering scope. For example, saying "Это была простая авария" when describing a full shipwreck.
  Correct: "Это было кораблекрушение" to specify the severity. Explanation: "Авария" can mean any accident, while "кораблекрушение" implies a major maritime disaster.
• Error: Incorrect declension, e.g., using nominative "кораблекрушение" in a genitive context like "после кораблекрушение" instead of "после кораблекрушения."
  Correct: "После кораблекрушения" (After the shipwreck). Explanation: Russian nouns must change form to indicate relationships in a sentence, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, shipwrecks often evoke historical events like the sinking of the Russian fleet in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) or the tragic loss of vessels in World War II. Terms like "кораблекрушение" carry connotations of national resilience and tragedy, frequently appearing in literature by authors like Fyodor Dostoevsky or in modern media, symbolizing human vulnerability against nature.

Related Concepts:

• спасение (rescue)
• море (sea)
• катастрофа (disaster)