Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sulphur'

English Word: sulphur

Key Russian Translations:

• сера [ˈsʲe.rə] - [Neutral, used in scientific and general contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This term is commonly encountered in scientific, educational, and industrial contexts, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level should recognize it in basic chemistry or science texts, though mastering its declensions may require additional practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сера: [ˈsʲe.rə]

Note on сера: The pronunciation features a soft 's' sound (palatalized), which is common in Russian nouns. Be mindful of the stress on the first syllable, as incorrect stress can alter perceived meaning in related words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The chemical element sulfur (a non-metallic element with atomic number 16).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сера - Used in scientific, educational, and industrial contexts to refer to the element, often in discussions of chemistry, geology, or manufacturing.

Usage Examples:

• В природе сера встречается в чистом виде и в составе минералов.

  In nature, sulfur occurs in pure form and as part of minerals.

• Сера используется в производстве удобрений и взрывчатых веществ.

  Sulfur is used in the production of fertilizers and explosives.

• Химический символ серы — S, и она имеет жёлтый цвет в своём естественном состоянии.

  The chemical symbol for sulfur is S, and it has a yellow color in its natural state.

• В вулканических регионах сера часто выделяется в виде пара.

  In volcanic regions, sulfur is often released as vapor.

• Сера играет ключевую роль в синтезе белков в живых организмах.

  Sulfur plays a key role in protein synthesis in living organisms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сера" is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension group. It follows standard patterns for feminine nouns ending in -a, with regular inflections based on case and number. There are no irregular forms.

Note: The plural forms are less commonly used for this noun, as "sulfur" is often discussed in singular contexts, but they apply in scenarios involving multiple instances or types.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сера (no direct synonyms, but related terms like "сернистый" for sulfur-containing)
  • Brief note: "Сернистый" is an adjective meaning "sulfurous" and is used in compounds, differing slightly in context for describing sulfur-based substances.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "сера" refers to a specific element and does not have conceptual opposites in Russian.

Related Phrases:

• Сернистый газ - Refers to sulfurous gas, commonly used in discussions of air pollution or chemistry.
• Сероводород - Means hydrogen sulfide, a compound involving sulfur, often in industrial or environmental contexts.
• Жёлтая сера - Literally "yellow sulfur," used to describe the element's common form, emphasizing its appearance in natural settings.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "сера" directly corresponds to the English "sulphur" or "sulfur" as a chemical element. It is a neutral, formal term primarily used in scientific and technical writing. When discussing everyday applications, such as in vulcanization or medicine, ensure the context is clear to avoid confusion with other sulfur-related terms. For learners, note that "сера" must agree in case with its modifiers in sentences, following standard Russian declension rules. If multiple translations exist (e.g., in specialized fields), "сера" is the most straightforward choice for general use.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the genitive form "серы" with the nominative "сера," leading to incorrect phrases like "Я видел сера" instead of "Я видел серу" in accusative contexts. Correct usage: Use "серy" for possession, e.g., "цвет серы" (the color of sulfur).

• Another common mistake is overusing the plural form unnecessarily; for example, saying "серaы" when referring to the element in general, which should be singular. Correct: Stick to singular unless specifying multiple samples, e.g., "разные серы" for varieties.

• Mispronouncing the soft 's' sound: Learners might say [ˈse.rə] instead of [ˈsʲe.rə], making it sound less natural. Explanation: Practice palatalization to match native pronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sulfur has historical significance in alchemy and traditional medicine, often associated with volcanic regions like Kamchatka. It symbolizes transformation in folklore, linked to fire and purification, but it's not as prominent in modern cultural references as in Western traditions.

Related Concepts:

• азот (nitrogen)
• кислород (oxygen)
• углерод (carbon)