Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'universe'

English Word: universe

Key Russian Translations:

• вселенная /vsɛˈlʲenːəjə/ - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, philosophical, and educational contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вселенная: /vsɛˈlʲenːəjə/

Note on вселенная: The stress is on the third syllable ("lʲen"), and the "лʲ" represents a palatalized 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The entire space and everything in it (e.g., cosmos, all existing matter and space)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вселенная - Used in formal, scientific, or philosophical discussions; often in contexts like astronomy or cosmology.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Ученые изучают происхождение нашей вселенной.

  English translation: Scientists are studying the origin of our universe.

• Русский пример: В фантастических фильмах часто изображается параллельная вселенная.

  English translation: In science fiction movies, parallel universes are often depicted.

• Русский пример: Философы размышляют о бесконечности вселенной.

  English translation: Philosophers ponder the infinity of the universe.

• Русский пример: Астрономия помогает понять структуру вселенной.

  English translation: Astronomy helps understand the structure of the universe.

• Русский пример: В нашей вселенной существуют миллиарды галактик.

  English translation: In our universe, there are billions of galaxies.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Вселенная is a feminine noun in the second declension (second group of feminine nouns in Russian). It follows regular patterns for most cases but has no irregularities. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The plural form is less commonly used but applies in contexts discussing multiple universes (e.g., in theoretical physics).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мироздание (/mʲɪrɐˈzdanʲɪjə/) - More poetic or philosophical term, often implying the created world.
  • космос (/ˈkɔsməs/) - Focuses on outer space, similar to "cosmos" in English.
• Antonyms:
  • ничто (/ˈnʲitɕtə/) - Meaning "nothing," contrasting the vastness of the universe.

Related Phrases:

• расширение вселенной - Expansion of the universe; used in discussions of cosmology.
• происхождение вселенной - Origin of the universe; common in scientific contexts.
• параллельная вселенная - Parallel universe; often in science fiction or theoretical physics.

Usage Notes:

Вселенная directly corresponds to the English "universe" in most formal and scientific contexts, but it is less frequently used in casual conversation. It is a feminine noun, so ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs (e.g., "эта вселенная большая" for "this universe is big"). When choosing between synonyms like мироздание, opt for вселенная in scientific settings for precision. Be mindful of context: in Russian, it can carry a more abstract or existential connotation than in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing the word as /vsɛlɛˈnaɪə/ (anglicizing it). Correct: /vsɛˈlʲenːəjə/. Explanation: The palatalized 'лʲ' sound is essential; practice with native audio to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "из вселенная" instead of "из вселенной" (genitive). Correct: Always decline based on sentence role. Explanation: Russian requires noun agreement in cases, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing with similar words like "всё" (everything). Correct: Use "вселенная" for cosmic scale. Explanation: "Всё" is more general and doesn't imply the astronomical concept.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "вселенная" often appears in discussions of space exploration, influenced by Russia's history in astronomy (e.g., contributions from scientists like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky). It can evoke a sense of wonder and philosophical depth, as seen in Russian literature and films, where the universe symbolizes the infinite and the human quest for knowledge.

Related Concepts:

• галактика (galaxy)
• планета (planet)
• космос (cosmos)