Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sulphate'

English Word: sulphate

Key Russian Translations:

• сульфат /sʊlʲˈfat/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, chemical, and technical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with chemistry terminology and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сульфат: /sʊlʲˈfat/

Note on сульфат: The stress is on the second syllable ('fat'), and the 'лʲ' represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Practice with native speakers for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Chemical compound (a salt of sulfuric acid)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сульфат - Used primarily in scientific, medical, or industrial contexts to refer to compounds like sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate.

Usage Examples:

• В воде часто обнаруживается сульфат натрия, который влияет на её качество.

  Sodium sulphate is often found in water, which affects its quality.

• Сульфат магния используется в медицине для лечения запоров.

  Magnesium sulphate is used in medicine to treat constipation.

• В химической лаборатории мы синтезировали сульфат меди.

  In the chemical lab, we synthesized copper sulphate.

• Сульфат кальция является основным компонентом гипса.

  Calcium sulphate is a primary component of gypsum.

• Избыток сульфата в почве может привести к проблемам с растениями.

  An excess of sulphate in the soil can lead to problems with plants.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Сульфат is a masculine noun of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but can vary based on context. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This noun does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once the basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: сульфат натрия (for sodium sulphate specifically), сульфат магния (for magnesium sulphate) - These are compound-specific variants rather than direct synonyms.
• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "sulphate" is a neutral chemical term without direct opposites.

Related Phrases:

• сульфат натрия - Sodium sulphate; commonly used in industrial processes and water treatment.
• сульфат магния - Magnesium sulphate; often referred to in medical contexts for laxatives.
• сульфат кальция - Calcium sulphate; a key ingredient in construction materials like plaster.

Usage Notes:

"Sulphate" translates directly to "сульфат" in Russian, primarily in scientific and technical fields. It is a formal term and should be used in professional contexts rather than casual conversation. Note the difference in spelling: English uses "sulphate" (British) or "sulfate" (American), while Russian "сульфат" is invariant. When discussing specific compounds, always pair it with the element (e.g., sodium). Learners should pay attention to declensions to ensure grammatical accuracy in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я имею сульфат" instead of "Я имею сульфат" (correct in nominative, but often misplaced in other contexts).

  Correct: "В растворе есть сульфат" (Prepositional case: сульфате if needed). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with their grammatical role; always check the sentence structure.

• Error: Confusing it with similar terms like "сульфид" (sulfide). For example, saying "сульфид" when meaning "sulphate".

  Correct: Use "сульфат" specifically. Explanation: These are distinct chemical compounds, and mixing them up can lead to misunderstandings in scientific discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian-speaking contexts, terms like "сульфат" are heavily associated with the country's industrial and scientific heritage, particularly in chemistry and mining. For instance, Russia has a rich history in chemical production, and sulphates play a role in everyday products like fertilizers and medicines, reflecting the practical application of science in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• хлорид (chloride)
• фосфат (phosphate)
• карбонат (carbonate)