Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stele'

English Word: stele

Key Russian Translations:

• стела [ˈstʲelə] - [Formal, used in historical and archaeological contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and not commonly used in everyday conversation, primarily in academic or historical discussions.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Learners at this level should be familiar with basic noun declensions and vocabulary related to history and culture.

Pronunciation (Russian):

стела: [ˈstʲelə]

Note on стела: The initial 'с' is pronounced as a voiceless alveolar fricative [s], and the 'т' is palatalized before 'е', which is a common feature in Russian. Pay attention to the stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected in the ancient world as a monument or inscription bearer.

Translation(s) & Context:

• стела - Typically used in formal, historical, or archaeological contexts to refer to ancient monuments; common in discussions of Greek, Roman, or Egyptian artifacts.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлена древняя стела с надписями на греческом языке.

  In the museum, an ancient stele with inscriptions in Greek is displayed.

• Археологи обнаружили стелу, которая рассказывает о событиях давно минувших веков.

  Archaeologists discovered a stele that recounts events from long-gone centuries.

• Эта стела, установленная в парке, служит напоминанием о героических подвигах.

  This stele, erected in the park, serves as a reminder of heroic deeds.

• Студенты изучают стелу как важный источник исторических данных.

  Students study the stele as an important source of historical data.

• На стеле выгравированы имена солдат, павших в битве.

  The stele is engraved with the names of soldiers who fell in battle.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Стела" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a. It inflects based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions in the singular form (plural is less common but follows standard patterns).

Note: The word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • памятник (monument) - More general term, often used for larger structures; differs from стела by implying a broader commemorative purpose.
  • обелиск (obelisk) - Similar to stele but typically taller and more tapered; used in specific architectural contexts.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as стела is a specific type of object without a clear opposite in Russian vocabulary.

Related Phrases:

• древняя стела - Ancient stele; used in historical discussions to refer to relics from antiquity.
• стела с надписями - Stele with inscriptions; common in contexts involving epigraphy or archaeology.
• памятная стела - Memorial stele; implies a stele dedicated to remembering events or people.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "стела" directly corresponds to the English "stele" in meaning, but it is most appropriate in formal or academic settings. Unlike in English, where "stele" might be used interchangeably with "stela" (a variant spelling), Russian maintains "стела" as the standard form. When using this word, ensure proper declension based on the sentence structure; for example, in the genitive case, it becomes "стелы" to indicate possession. Learners should choose "стела" over more general synonyms like "памятник" when specificity is needed. It is neutrally formal and not typically used in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "стела" with "столб" (which means "pole" or "pillar"). Incorrect: "Я видел столб в музее" (meaning a simple pole). Correct: "Я видел стелу в музее" (referring to a stele). Explanation: "Столб" is more everyday and structural, while "стела" has historical connotations; this mix-up can lead to miscommunication in descriptive contexts.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun properly. Incorrect: "Рядом стела" (grammatically incorrect). Correct: "Рядом со стелой" (using the instrumental case). Explanation: Russian requires nouns to agree in case, so always check the preposition or verb governing the noun.

Cultural Notes:

The term "стела" often evokes Russia's rich archaeological heritage, with many stelae found in ancient sites linked to Greek, Roman, or even indigenous cultures. In Russian history, stelae are associated with memorials from the Soviet era or pre-Christian Slavic artifacts, symbolizing endurance and remembrance. Understanding this can deepen appreciation for Russian literature and history, where such objects frequently appear in narratives about the past.

Related Concepts:

• памятник
• обелиск
• артефакт
• исторический памятник