Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sulfate'

English Word: sulfate

Key Russian Translations:

• сульфат [sʊlʲˈfat] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in scientific, chemical, and academic contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires basic knowledge of chemistry and Russian noun declensions, suitable for learners with intermediate vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сульфат: [sʊlʲˈfat]

Note on сульфат: The stress falls on the second syllable ("fat"), and the "лʲ" represents a palatalized "l" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, clear "l" as in "lute".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A chemical compound; a salt of sulfuric acid

Translation(s) & Context:

• сульфат - Used in formal scientific writing, chemistry discussions, or educational contexts to refer to sulfate ions or compounds.

Usage Examples:

• В воде растворяется сульфат натрия.

  In water, sodium sulfate dissolves.

• Сульфат кальция часто используется в строительстве.

  Calcium sulfate is often used in construction.

• Химики изучают свойства сульфата меди.

  Chemists study the properties of copper sulfate.

• В лабораторных экспериментах сульфат применяется для тестирования реакций.

  In laboratory experiments, sulfate is used for testing reactions.

• Сульфат магния добавляют в удобрения для улучшения почвы.

  Magnesium sulfate is added to fertilizers to improve soil.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сульфат" is a masculine noun in Russian (3rd declension). It follows standard noun inflection patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. Below is a table of its basic forms:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сульфатик (sulfatik) - A diminutive or informal variant, used in casual scientific discussions.
  • сероводородный соль (serovodorodnyy sol) - Less common, literal description for specific sulfates.
• Antonyms:
  • неорганическая кислота (neorganicheskaya kislota) - Refers to non-salt forms, highlighting opposites in chemical classification.

Related Phrases:

• сульфат натрия - Sodium sulfate; commonly used in detergents and glass production.
• сульфат магния - Magnesium sulfate; known as Epsom salt, used in health and agriculture.
• растворимый сульфат - Soluble sulfate; refers to sulfates that dissolve easily in water, in chemical contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Сульфат" directly corresponds to the English "sulfate" in scientific and chemical contexts, but it's primarily used in formal or technical settings. English learners should note that Russian often requires the full compound name (e.g., "сульфат натрия" for "sodium sulfate") due to its inflected structure. Be mindful of case agreements; for example, in a sentence like "Я изучаю сульфат," it remains in the accusative case. If multiple translations exist, choose "сульфат" for general use, but verify the specific chemical context to avoid confusion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сульфат" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею сульфат" instead of "Я имею сульфат" (correct, as it's accusative, but learners might forget in other cases).

  Correct: "В эксперименте используется сульфат" (Instrumental case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their role in the sentence; ignoring this can lead to grammatical errors.

• Error: Confusing it with "сульфид" (sulfide), a similar-sounding word.

  Correct: Use "сульфат" specifically for sulfate compounds. Explanation: These are distinct chemical terms; mixing them up can alter the meaning entirely in scientific discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, terms like "сульфат" are heavily emphasized in STEM fields due to Russia's strong tradition in chemistry and space science. For instance, sulfates play a role in historical industrial developments, such as in the Soviet-era chemical industry, symbolizing technological advancement. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for precise scientific language in everyday learning.

Related Concepts:

• сульфид
• сероводород
• кислота