Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'square'

English Word: square

Key Russian Translations:

• квадрат [kvɐˈdrat] - [Formal, used in mathematical or geometric contexts]
• площадь [ˈploʂːədʲ] - [Informal/Formal, used for public squares or areas]

Frequency: Medium (квадрат) to High (площадь); these words appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in educational, navigational, and descriptive contexts.

Difficulty: A2 (квадрат) for beginners due to its straightforward noun form; B1 (площадь) for intermediate learners as it involves common inflections and contextual usage.

Pronunciation (Russian):

квадрат: [kvɐˈdrat]

Note on квадрат: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the rolled 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the vowels.

площадь: [ˈploʂːədʲ]

Note on площадь: The 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing 'shch' that doesn't exist in English; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Geometric shape (e.g., a four-sided shape with equal sides)

Translation(s) & Context:

• квадрат - Used in mathematical, scientific, or educational contexts, such as describing shapes in geometry.

Usage Examples:

• Этот фигура — идеальный квадрат. (This figure is a perfect square.)

  Translation: This figure is a perfect square. (Shows basic noun usage in a descriptive context.)

• Рисуй квадрат на бумаге. (Draw a square on the paper.)

  Translation: Draw a square on the paper. (Illustrates imperative sentence structure with the noun as an object.)

• Квадрат имеет четыре равные стороны. (A square has four equal sides.)

  Translation: A square has four equal sides. (Demonstrates definitional usage in an explanatory context.)

• В математике квадрат — это основная форма. (In mathematics, a square is a basic shape.)

  Translation: In mathematics, a square is a basic shape. (Shows usage in a formal, academic setting.)

• Её дизайн включает много квадратов. (Her design includes many squares.)

  Translation: Her design includes many squares. (Highlights plural form in creative or artistic contexts.)

Public or open area (e.g., a town square)

Translation(s) & Context:

• площадь - Used for urban spaces, gatherings, or landmarks, often in everyday conversation or directions.

Usage Examples:

• Мы встретимся на главной площади. (We'll meet at the main square.)

  Translation: We'll meet at the main square. (Common in social or navigational contexts.)

• Площадь полна людей во время фестиваля. (The square is full of people during the festival.)

  Translation: The square is full of people during the festival. (Illustrates usage in event descriptions.)

• Эта площадь историческая. (This square is historical.)

  Translation: This square is historical. (Shows attributive usage with adjectives.)

• Прогуляйся по площади вечером. (Take a walk around the square in the evening.)

  Translation: Take a walk around the square in the evening. (Demonstrates imperative and locative contexts.)

• Площадь в городе — место для митингов. (The square in the city is a place for rallies.)

  Translation: The square in the city is a place for rallies. (Highlights socio-political usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'квадрат' and 'площадь' are Russian nouns. 'Квадрат' is a masculine noun that follows the standard second declension pattern with regular inflections. 'Площадь' is a feminine noun with inflections based on the third declension.

Note: These inflections are regular, but 'площадь' may have slight variations in poetic or archaic usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for квадрат: прямоугольник (if not a perfect square), фигура (general shape) - прямоугольник implies a rectangle, which is similar but not identical.
• Synonyms for площадь: сквер (small park-like square), майдан (informal, regional variant) - сквер is used for smaller, greener areas.
• Antonyms for квадрат: круг (circle) - Represents a contrasting shape.
• Antonyms for площадь: тупик (dead end) - Implies a confined space versus an open one.

Related Phrases:

• Красная площадь - Red Square; a famous landmark in Moscow, often symbolizing historical events.
• Квадрат метров - Square meters; used in measurements for area.
• Площадь Ленина - Lenin Square; common name for public squares in Russian cities, with cultural significance.
• Рисовать квадрат - To draw a square; a phrase in educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Square' translates to 'квадрат' for geometric contexts and 'площадь' for public spaces, but choose based on context to avoid confusion. In formal writing, 'квадрат' is preferred for precision in math, while 'площадь' can be informal in daily speech. Grammatically, both nouns require case agreement with modifiers, e.g., 'большой квадрат' (big square). English learners should note that 'площадь' often implies social or urban functions, unlike the purely descriptive 'квадрат'.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'квадрат' to mean a public square. Correct: This is incorrect; use 'площадь' instead. Example of error: *Я иду в квадрат* (I'm going to the square) - Wrong. Correct: Я иду в площадь. Explanation: 'Квадрат' only refers to shapes, leading to confusion in spatial contexts.
• Mistake: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying 'в квадрат' instead of 'в квадрате'. Correct: Use the prepositional case as needed. Explanation: Russian requires case changes, which English speakers often overlook, altering sentence meaning.

Cultural Notes:

'Площадь' often carries historical and social connotations in Russia, such as Red Square (Красная площадь), which has been a site for revolutions, parades, and public gatherings. This reflects Russia's emphasis on communal spaces in urban culture, contrasting with more individualistic Western views of public areas.

Related Concepts:

• круг (circle)
• треугольник (triangle)
• парк (park)
• улица (street)