Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sulfur'

English Word: sulfur

Key Russian Translations:

• сера (/ˈsʲe.rə/) - [Formal, used in scientific and everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in scientific, educational, and industrial discussions, but not in everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and scientific vocabulary, suitable for learners with some familiarity with chemistry).

Pronunciation (Russian):

сера: /ˈsʲe.rə/ (The "с" is pronounced as a soft "s" sound, and the stress is on the first syllable).

Note on сера: Be mindful of the soft "с" which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization; it sounds similar to the "s" in "measure" but shorter. Variations may occur in dialects, but standard Russian uses this pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A yellow, non-metallic element used in various chemical compounds and industries.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сера - Used in scientific, educational, and general contexts when referring to the chemical element or its forms (e.g., in chemistry classes or mining discussions).

Usage Examples:

• Сера является важным элементом в химической промышленности. (Sera yavlyayetsya vazhnym elementom v khimicheskoy promyshlennosti.)

  Sulfur is an important element in the chemical industry.

• В природе сера часто встречается в виде минералов. (V prirode sera chasto vstrechaetsya v vide mineralov.)

  In nature, sulfur is often found in the form of minerals.

• Для вулканических процессов сера играет ключевую роль. (Dlya vulkanicheskikh protsessov sera igrayet klyuchevuyu rol'.)

  Sulfur plays a key role in volcanic processes.

• Сера используется в производстве удобрений и взрывчатых веществ. (Sera ispol'zuetsya v proizvodstve udobreniy i vzryvchatykh veshchestv.)

  Sulfur is used in the production of fertilizers and explosives.

• В школьном уроке химии мы изучали свойства серы. (V shkol'nom uroku khimii my izuchali svoystva serы.)

  In our school chemistry lesson, we studied the properties of sulfur.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сера" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns, changing based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сера (no direct synonyms, but related terms like "жёлтая сера" for yellow sulfur)
  • Explanation: "Жёлтая сера" specifies a common form and is used in descriptive contexts to differentiate types.
• Antonyms:
  • None directly applicable, as "сера" is a specific element; however, in chemical contexts, it might contrast with elements like "металлы" (metals).

Related Phrases:

• Сера в вулканах (Sera v vulkanakh) - Refers to sulfur in volcanoes, often used in geological discussions.
• Сульфурная кислота (Sulfurnaya kislota) - Sulfur acid, a common compound in chemistry; highlights industrial applications.
• Добыча серы (Dobyicha serы) - Mining of sulfur, used in contexts related to natural resource extraction.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "сера" directly corresponds to the English "sulfur" as a chemical element, but it is primarily used in formal, scientific, or technical contexts. English speakers should note that Russian nouns like "сера" must agree in case, number, and gender with other words in the sentence, which can affect word order and article usage (Russian has no articles). For example, choose "сера" over less common alternatives when discussing chemistry. In informal speech, it might be simplified, but always opt for the full form in writing.

• Grammar tip: As a feminine noun, it pairs with feminine adjectives (e.g., "жёлтая сера" for "yellow sulfur").
• Context guidance: Use in educational or professional settings; avoid in casual conversations unless specifying something scientific.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the declension of "сера," mistakenly using the nominative form in all cases. For instance:

• Error: "Я имею сера" (incorrect, as it should be genitive in this context).
• Correct: "Я имею серу" (I have sulfur) - Here, accusative case is used after "иметь."
• Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, so always check the sentence structure to avoid this mistake, which can make your Russian sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sulfur has historical significance in alchemy and early chemistry, often linked to folklore about volcanoes and natural disasters. For example, in Russian literature and proverbs, sulfur might symbolize transformation or danger, as seen in references to volcanic regions like Kamchatka, reinforcing its role in Russia's geological heritage.

Related Concepts:

• Вулкан (Vulkan) - Volcano
• Минерал (Mineral) - Mineral
• Химический элемент (Khimicheskiy element) - Chemical element