Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'slope'

English Word: slope

Key Russian Translations:

• склон [ˈsklon] - [Formal, Geographical context]
• уклон [ʊkˈlon] - [Formal, Mathematical or engineering context]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language for geographical terms, less frequent in casual math discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for geographical usage; B2 for mathematical contexts, as it involves basic noun declensions and contextual understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

склон: [ˈsklon]

уклон: [ʊkˈlon]

Note on склон: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers as it's palatalized.

Note on уклон: Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech; the 'у' is pronounced like the 'oo' in "book."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A surface of which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a sloping surface (Geographical meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• склон - Used in descriptions of terrain, hiking, or natural landscapes; common in formal and informal settings.

Usage Examples:

• Гора имела крутой склон, который был опасен для восхождения.

  The mountain had a steep slope that was dangerous for climbing.

• Мы спустились по пологому склону к реке.

  We descended the gentle slope to the river.

• Склон холма был покрыт снегом зимой.

  The slope of the hill was covered in snow during winter.

• Дети катались на санках с небольшого склона в парке.

  The children were sledding down the small slope in the park.

• Инженеры изучили склон перед строительством дороги.

  The engineers examined the slope before building the road.

2. In mathematics, the measure of the steepness of a line (Mathematical meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уклон - Used in technical, academic, or scientific contexts; often in discussions of graphs and equations.

Usage Examples:

• Уклон прямой линии можно вычислить по формуле y = mx + b.

  The slope of a straight line can be calculated using the formula y = mx + b.

• В графике уклон кривой указывает на скорость изменения.

  In the graph, the slope of the curve indicates the rate of change.

• Если уклон равен нулю, линия горизонтальна.

  If the slope is zero, the line is horizontal.

• Уклон графика функции был положительным в первом квадранте.

  The slope of the function's graph was positive in the first quadrant.

• Измерение уклона помогает предсказать поведение системы.

  Measuring the slope helps predict the system's behavior.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "склон" and "уклон" are masculine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard second-declension patterns with some irregularities based on context. They are inflected for case, number, and gender agreement.

Note: These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently in isolation, but in sentences, they may appear as "склоны" or "уклоны" for plural nominative. They are regular but require attention to soft consonants in declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for склон: холм (hill), откос (embankment) - "холм" is used for smaller elevations, while "откос" implies a man-made slope.
• Synonyms for уклон: наклон (incline) - Often interchangeable in math, but "наклон" can be more general.
• Antonyms for склон: плоский (flat) - Not a direct antonym, but implies the opposite in context.
• Antonyms for уклон: горизонталь (horizontal) - Used in mathematical contexts to denote zero slope.

Related Phrases:

• Крутой склон - A steep slope; used in hiking or adventure contexts to describe challenging terrain.
• Пологий уклон - A gentle slope; common in engineering to refer to gradual inclines in designs.
• Снежный склон - A snowy slope; often in winter sports or weather descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Склон" directly corresponds to the geographical meaning of "slope" and is versatile in both formal writing and everyday conversation, but avoid using it in purely mathematical contexts to prevent confusion. "Уклон" is more technical and aligns with the mathematical definition, often appearing in scientific texts. When choosing between translations, consider the context: geographical for nature, mathematical for graphs. Grammatically, both nouns require agreement with adjectives and must be declined based on case, which is a key feature of Russian syntax.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "склон" with "уклон" and use them interchangeably, e.g., saying "уклон горы" (incorrect for a mountain slope) instead of "склон горы" (correct). Error: "Уклон горы очень крутой." Correct: "Склон горы очень крутой." Explanation: "Уклон" is not used for natural terrain; it implies an angle in math or physics.
• Another mistake is forgetting declension, e.g., using "склон" in the wrong case: "Я иду на склон" (incorrect genitive needed). Correct: "Я иду на склон." Wait, actually, this is nominative; a better example: Error: "Без склон" (missing genitive). Correct: "Без склона." Explanation: Russian requires proper case endings for prepositions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "склон" often appears in literature and folklore to symbolize challenges or beauty in nature, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where mountainous slopes represent life's obstacles. This reflects Russia's vast landscapes, emphasizing resilience in facing inclined terrains during historical explorations or wars.

Related Concepts:

• гора (mountain)
• долина (valley)
• наклонная плоскость (inclined plane)