Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stopwatch'

English Word: stopwatch

Key Russian Translations:

• секундомер [sʲɪˈkundəmʲɪr] - [Formal, Singular, Used in scientific, sports, and timing contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts like sports and timing, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with compound words and basic noun declensions for English learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

секундомер: [sʲɪˈkundəmʲɪr]

Note on секундомер: The stress is on the third syllable ("kun"). Pay attention to the soft sign (ʲ) in the IPA, which indicates a palatalized consonant, common in Russian and potentially challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A handheld device used for precise timing, especially in sports or experiments.

Translation(s) & Context:

• секундомер - Used in formal and technical contexts, such as timing races or lab experiments, where accuracy is key.

Usage Examples:

• Я использовал секундомер, чтобы измерить время забега. (I used a stopwatch to measure the race time.)

  Translation: I used a stopwatch to measure the race time. (This example shows the word in a sports context, with the noun in its base form.)

• Тренер нажал на секундомер в начале тренировки. (The coach pressed the stopwatch at the start of the training.)

  Translation: The coach pressed the stopwatch at the start of the training. (Illustrates the word in an accusative case in a coaching scenario.)

• В лаборатории мы всегда имеем под рукой секундомер для точных измерений. (In the lab, we always have a stopwatch on hand for precise measurements.)

  Translation: In the lab, we always have a stopwatch on hand for precise measurements. (Demonstrates the word in a genitive context, emphasizing its utility in scientific settings.)

• Секундомер сломался во время соревнования, что вызвало путаницу. (The stopwatch broke during the competition, causing confusion.)

  Translation: The stopwatch broke during the competition, causing confusion. (Shows the word in a nominative context with potential for plural forms in related discussions.)

• Она купила цифровой секундомер для фитнеса. (She bought a digital stopwatch for fitness.)

  Translation: She bought a digital stopwatch for fitness. (Highlights the word in an everyday purchase context, with modifiers like "digital".)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Секундомер" is a masculine noun of the second declension. It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not change in gender and is invariable in its stem, making it straightforward for learners once basic declensions are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • таймер (timer) - More general, used for any timing device, but less precise than секундомер in sports contexts.
  • хронометр (chronometer) - Similar but implies higher precision, often in scientific or navigational use.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific tool rather than a concept with opposites.

Related Phrases:

• спортивный секундомер (sports stopwatch) - A stopwatch designed for athletic events; used in training and competitions.
• цифровой секундомер (digital stopwatch) - Refers to electronic versions; common in modern fitness routines.
• запускать секундомер (to start the stopwatch) - An idiomatic phrase for beginning a timed activity.

Usage Notes:

"Секундомер" directly corresponds to the English "stopwatch" in most contexts, but it's more commonly used in formal or technical settings in Russian. English learners should note that Russian nouns like this one must agree in case, number, and gender with other elements in the sentence. For instance, choose "секундомер" for singular subjects and adjust for plurals if discussing multiple devices. When selecting between synonyms like "таймер," opt for "секундомер" if precision is emphasized, as in sports. Be mindful of word order in sentences, as Russian often places the verb at the end.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "секундомер" with "часы" (clock), leading to incorrect usage like "Я использовал часы для забега" instead of "Я использовал секундомер для забега."

  Correct: "секундомер" specifically implies a device for short, precise measurements, while "часы" means a general timepiece. Explanation: This mistake arises from overgeneralizing time-related vocabulary; always specify the context to avoid ambiguity.

• Error: Forgetting declensions, e.g., saying "на секундомер" instead of "на секундомере" in prepositional case.

  Correct: Use the proper case, like "работать с секундомером" (work with a stopwatch). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English lacks, so learners must practice declensions to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "секундомер" is often associated with sports and Soviet-era scientific achievements, such as in athletics or space exploration. For example, during the Cold War, precise timing devices like stopwatches were symbolic of technological prowess in events like the Olympics, reflecting a cultural emphasis on discipline and measurement in competitive activities.

Related Concepts:

• таймер
• хронометр
• измеритель времени