Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spherical'

English Word: spherical

Key Russian Translations:

• сферический [sfɛrʲɪˈtɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, mathematical, and technical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with scientific vocabulary and basic Russian adjective inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сферический: [sfɛrʲɪˈtɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on сферический: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tɕɪskʲɪj"). Be cautious with the palatalized 'r' sound ([ʲ]), which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronounce it as in "measure" but shorter.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Having the shape of a sphere, round and symmetrical in three dimensions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сферический - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing geometric shapes or objects in physics.

Usage Examples:

• Эта планета имеет сферическую форму. (Eta planeta imyet sfericheskuyu formu.)

  This planet has a spherical shape. (Context: Scientific description of celestial bodies.)

• Сферический объект легко катится по поверхности. (Sfericheskiy obyect legko katitsya po poverkhnosti.)

  A spherical object rolls easily across the surface. (Context: Everyday physics or play, showing the object's properties.)

• В математике сферические координаты используются для расчётов. (V matematike sfericheskiye koordinaty ispol'zuyutsya dlya raschotov.)

  In mathematics, spherical coordinates are used for calculations. (Context: Academic or technical discussion.)

• Сферический дизайн шара делает его идеальным для игр. (Sfericheskiy dizayn shara delayet yego ideal'nym dlya igr.)

  The spherical design of the ball makes it ideal for games. (Context: Sports or recreational use, demonstrating practical application.)

• Астрономы изучают сферические галактики. (Astronomy izuchayut sfericheskiye galaktiki.)

  Astronomers study spherical galaxies. (Context: Advanced scientific context, highlighting cosmic structures.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сферический" is an adjective in Russian, which follows the standard first-declension pattern for adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward once basic adjective declension rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • шаровидный (sharovidnyy) - Similar, but often used for more everyday objects; implies a ball-like shape.
  • круглый (kruglyy) - More general, but can imply spherical in casual contexts; less precise scientifically.
• Antonyms:
  • неправильный (nepravil'nyy) - Irregular or asymmetrical shapes.
  • угловатый (uglovatyy) - Angular or edged, contrasting with smooth roundness.

Related Phrases:

• Сферическая геометрия (Sfericheskaya geometriya) - Spherical geometry; a branch of mathematics dealing with curved surfaces.
• Сферический зеркало (Sfericheskoye zerkalo) - Spherical mirror; used in optics and everyday reflections.
• Сферическая координатная система (Sfericheskaya koordinatnaya sistema) - Spherical coordinate system; essential in physics and navigation.

Usage Notes:

"Сферический" directly corresponds to "spherical" in English, particularly in scientific and technical contexts, but it's more formal in Russian and rarely used in casual speech. Always decline it according to the noun it modifies to maintain grammatical agreement. For example, choose this term over more general synonyms like "круглый" when precision is needed, such as in academic writing. Be aware of context: in Russian, scientific terms like this are often borrowed from English or Latin roots, so they may feel less "native" in everyday conversation.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget to decline the adjective properly. For instance, saying "сферический шар" (incorrect if the context requires genitive) instead of "сферического шара" in genitive case. Correct usage: Use the appropriate form based on the sentence structure, e.g., "Я вижу сферический шар" (I see a spherical ball) vs. "Я думаю о сферическом шаре" (I think about a spherical ball).

• Confusing it with "круглый," leading to imprecise translations. Error: Using "круглый" for "spherical" in scientific contexts. Correct: Opt for "сферический" to convey three-dimensional roundness accurately.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, terms like "сферический" are heavily influenced by scientific advancements, especially in mathematics and space exploration (e.g., Soviet-era contributions to cosmonautics). It doesn't carry strong cultural connotations beyond its technical use, but it reflects Russia's emphasis on STEM fields in education.

Related Concepts:

• шар (shar) - Sphere
• геометрия (geometriya) - Geometry
• космос (kosmos) - Cosmos or space, often linked in scientific discussions