Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'substrate'

English Word: substrate

Key Russian Translations:

• субстрат [sʊbˈstrat] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific and academic contexts, but not in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level, requires familiarity with technical vocabulary and basic Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

субстрат: [sʊbˈstrat]

Note on субстрат: The stress is on the second syllable ("strat"), which is common in borrowed words. Be mindful of the soft "s" sound, similar to the English "s" in "sun".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: In biology or chemistry, a substance on which an enzyme acts or a base material.

Translation(s) & Context:

• субстрат - Used in formal scientific discussions, such as in lab reports or research papers.

Usage Examples:

• В биологии субстрат является основой для химических реакций.

  In biology, the substrate serves as the basis for chemical reactions.

• Энзим действует на субстрат, превращая его в продукт.

  The enzyme acts on the substrate, converting it into a product.

• В эксперименте мы использовали сахар как субстрат.

  In the experiment, we used sugar as the substrate.

• Субстрат в этой реакции должен быть чистым и стабильным.

  The substrate in this reaction must be pure and stable.

Meaning 2: In linguistics, the underlying language or influence in language contact situations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• субстрат - Used in academic or linguistic analyses, often in discussions of language evolution.

Usage Examples:

• В лингвистике субстрат влияет на формирование новых диалектов.

  In linguistics, the substrate influences the formation of new dialects.

• Субстрат местного языка виден в заимствованиях английского.

  The substrate of the local language is evident in English borrowings.

• Исследования субстрата помогают понять языковые изменения.

  Studies of the substrate help understand language changes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Субстрат" is a masculine noun (мужской род) borrowed from Latin/Greek, and it follows the standard third declension pattern for inanimate nouns in Russian. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a table of its declensions:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • основа (osnova) - Basic foundation, often used in non-technical contexts.
  • базис (bazis) - More formal synonym, emphasizing a foundational element.
• Antonyms:
  • продукт (produkt) - Refers to the result or output, contrasting with the input substrate.

Related Phrases:

• биологический субстрат (biologicheskiy substrat) - Biological substrate; used in scientific contexts to describe living materials.
• субстрат для роста (substrat dlya rosta) - Substrate for growth; common in microbiology or agriculture.
• лингвистический субстрат (lingvisticheskiy substrat) - Linguistic substrate; refers to underlying language influences in contact situations.

Usage Notes:

"Субстрат" directly corresponds to the English "substrate" in technical fields like biology, chemistry, and linguistics. It is primarily used in formal or academic settings, so avoid it in casual conversation. When translating, choose this word for precise scientific contexts; for everyday equivalents, consider "основа" if a more general base is meant. Grammatically, as a masculine noun, it requires adjectives and verbs to agree in gender, number, and case—e.g., "этот субстрат" (this substrate). If multiple translations exist, select based on context: use "субстрат" for exact matches and "базис" for broader foundations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "субстрат" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "в субстрат" instead of "в субстрате" for "in the substrate". Correct: "В субстрате происходят реакции" (Reactions occur in the substrate). Explanation: Russian requires the prepositional case for locations, so learners must check case endings.

• Error: Confusing it with "продукт" (product), leading to misuse in sentences like "Энзим — это субстрат" (The enzyme is the substrate). Correct: "Энзим действует на субстрат" (The enzyme acts on the substrate). Explanation: "Субстрат" is the input, not the output, so context is key to avoid semantic errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian scientific literature, "субстрат" reflects the influence of Western terminology due to historical translations from English and German texts. It embodies Russia's emphasis on technical education and research, often seen in fields like biochemistry, which have been prominent since the Soviet era. This word doesn't carry strong cultural connotations but highlights the integration of global scientific language into Russian.

Related Concepts:

• энзим (enzim)
• реакция (reaktsiya)
• диалект (dialekt)