Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supersonic'

English Word: supersonic

Key Russian Translations:

• сверхзвуковой (/svʲɪrxzvuˈkovɨj/) - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, aviation, and technological contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires familiarity with technical vocabulary and Russian adjective inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сверхзвуковой: /svʲɪrxzvuˈkovɨj/

Note on сверхзвуковой: The pronunciation involves a palatalized 's' sound (/svʲ/), which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the third syllable. Variations may occur in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Relating to or denoting a speed greater than that of sound (e.g., in aviation or physics).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сверхзвуковой - Used in formal, technical contexts such as describing aircraft or missiles that exceed the speed of sound.

Usage Examples:

• Русский самолет летит на сверхзвуковой скорости.

  English Translation: The Russian plane is flying at supersonic speed.

• Сверхзвуковые ракеты могут преодолеть звуковой барьер за считанные секунды.

  English Translation: Supersonic missiles can break the sound barrier in a matter of seconds.

• В фильме показано, как сверхзвуковой самолет достигает скорости звука.

  English Translation: The movie shows how a supersonic plane reaches the speed of sound.

• Инженеры разрабатывают сверхзвуковые поезда для будущего транспорта.

  English Translation: Engineers are developing supersonic trains for future transportation.

• Сверхзвуковой полет требует специальной подготовки пилотов.

  English Translation: Supersonic flight requires special training for pilots.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сверхзвуковой" is an adjective in Russian, which inflects based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ой. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: This adjective does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners once basic adjective patterns are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гиперзвуковой (hyperzvukovoy) - Used for speeds even faster than supersonic, with a nuance toward extreme velocities in advanced technology.
  • быстрый (bystriy) - More general term for "fast," but less precise in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • подзвуковой (podzvukovoy) - Refers to speeds below that of sound.
  • медленный (medlenniy) - General term for "slow."

Related Phrases:

• Сверхзвуковая скорость - Meaning: Supersonic speed; Used in discussions of aviation physics.
• Сверхзвуковой полет - Meaning: Supersonic flight; Common in contexts like military or space travel.
• Сверхзвуковой самолет - Meaning: Supersonic aircraft; Refers to planes like the Concorde in historical contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Сверхзвуковой" directly corresponds to "supersonic" in English, primarily as an adjective. It is most commonly used in formal or technical settings, such as engineering, aviation, or scientific writing. Be mindful of its inflections based on gender, number, and case in Russian sentences. For example, choose the appropriate form when describing masculine, feminine, or plural nouns. If multiple translations exist, opt for "сверхзвуковой" for standard supersonic speeds, and "гиперзвуковой" only if the context involves hypersonic velocities. This word is not typically used in casual conversation, so it's ideal for academic or professional language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сверхзвуковой" interchangeably with "гиперзвуковой" without considering speed differences. Incorrect: "Гиперзвуковой самолет летит на 1.5 скорости звука." (This implies even faster speeds.) Correct: "Сверхзвуковой самолет летит на 1.5 скорости звука." Explanation: "Supersonic" refers to speeds just above Mach 1, while "hypersonic" is for Mach 5+, so match the term to the precise context to avoid technical inaccuracies.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., using the masculine form with a feminine noun. Incorrect: "Сверхзвуковой ракета" (for a feminine noun like "ракета"). Correct: "Сверхзвуковая ракета." Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify; always check the noun's form first.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like "сверхзвуковой" are often associated with Cold War-era advancements in aviation and space technology, such as the Soviet Tu-144 supersonic jet, which rivaled the Concorde. This reflects Russia's emphasis on military and scientific prowess, adding a layer of national pride to discussions of supersonic travel.

Related Concepts:

• звуковой барьер
• гиперзвуковой
• аэродинамика