Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sundial'

English Word: sundial

Key Russian Translations:

• солнечные часы /sɐlʲˈnʲetɕnɨje ˈtɕasɨ/ - [Formal, used in scientific, historical, or educational contexts]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation; it's more prevalent in specialized discussions about history, astronomy, or architecture.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR standards; learners need familiarity with compound nouns and adjective agreements in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

солнечные часы: /sɐlʲˈnʲetɕnɨje ˈtɕasɨ/

Note on солнечные часы: The stress falls on the second syllable of "солнечные" (/ˈnʲetɕnɨje/), and the word "часы" is pronounced with a soft "ch" sound. Be mindful of the palatalization in Russian, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A device that tells time by the position of the sun's shadow

Translation(s) & Context:

• солнечные часы - Typically used in formal or educational settings, such as describing historical artifacts or scientific instruments.

Usage Examples:

• В музее выставлен древний сундиал, который использовали в средние века.

  In the museum, an ancient sundial is displayed, which was used in the Middle Ages.

• Солнечные часы в саду показывают время с помощью тени от столбика.

  The sundial in the garden shows time using the shadow from the post.

• Во время экскурсии по Кремлю гид объяснил, как работают солнечные часы на башне.

  During the tour of the Kremlin, the guide explained how the sundial on the tower works.

• Мой дед сделал солнечные часы из дерева для дачи, чтобы дети учились астрономии.

  My grandfather made a sundial out of wood for the dacha so that the children could learn about astronomy.

• В ясный день солнечные часы более точны, чем механические, в некоторых исторических реконструкциях.

  On a clear day, a sundial is more accurate than mechanical ones in some historical reconstructions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Солнечные часы" is a noun phrase consisting of an adjective ("солнечные") and a noun ("часы"). The adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. "Часы" is a plural noun (from "час" meaning "clock" or "hour" in this context) and follows standard Russian noun declension patterns for inanimate plural nouns.

It does not have irregular forms, but the adjective "солнечные" changes based on case. Below is a table of inflections for "солнечные часы" in the nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional cases (plural only, as "часы" is inherently plural):

Note: This phrase is invariant in terms of number since "часы" is always plural in this meaning.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гномон - Refers specifically to the pointer or style of a sundial, often used in more technical contexts.
  • солнечный диал - A less common, more direct borrowing, used in modern or scientific discussions.
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as "sundial" is a specific object without a clear opposite. However, mechanical clocks could be contrasted, e.g., "механические часы" (mechanical clocks).

Related Phrases:

• старинные солнечные часы - Ancient sundial; Used in historical contexts to describe old instruments.
• солнечные часы в саду - Sundial in the garden; Common in descriptions of outdoor decor or educational setups.
• ремонт солнечных часов - Repairing a sundial; Refers to maintenance in restoration projects.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "солнечные часы" directly corresponds to the English "sundial" and is used in formal or specialized language. It's important to ensure adjective-noun agreement, as seen in the inflections above. English learners should note that this phrase is not idiomatic and is straightforward, but it's rarely used in casual speech—opt for it in writing or educational contexts. When choosing between translations, "солнечные часы" is the most precise; avoid direct borrowings like "сундиал" unless in very technical English-influenced texts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrectly treating "солнечные часы" as a singular noun, e.g., saying "солнечный час" (which means "solar hour" and is incorrect for sundial).

  Correct: Use the plural form "солнечные часы" to maintain accuracy. Explanation: Russian nouns like "часы" are inherently plural, so learners must adjust for this to avoid confusion with time measurement.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the first syllable in "солнечные."

  Correct: Pronounce as /sɐlʲˈnʲetɕnɨje ˈtɕasɨ/ with stress on the second syllable. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings, as stress changes can alter perceived meaning in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, sundials have historical significance, often found in ancient architecture like the Kremlin or old estates. They symbolize the passage of time and were used in pre-modern Russia for practical and astronomical purposes, reflecting a deep connection to nature and seasonal cycles in Slavic traditions.

Related Concepts:

• механические часы
• атомные часы
• гномон
• астрономия