Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vacuum'

English Word: vacuum

Key Russian Translations:

• вакуум [vɐˈkum] - [Formal, Scientific context]
• пылесос [pɨlʲɪˈsos] - [Informal, Everyday household use]

Frequency: Medium for 'вакуум' (commonly used in scientific and technical discussions), High for 'пылесос' (widely used in daily conversations).

Difficulty: B1 for both translations (Intermediate level, as they involve basic noun forms and common vocabulary; learners need familiarity with Russian noun declensions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

вакуум: [vɐˈkum]

Note on вakuум: The stress is on the second syllable; pronounce the 'u' as in "book" and ensure a clear 'k' sound. This word is often borrowed from English and retains a similar phonetic structure.

Audio: []

пылесос: [pɨlʲɪˈsos]

Note on пылесос: The 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a high-pitched 'i' in "bit"; stress is on the second syllable. Palatalization of 'л' makes it softer.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A space entirely devoid of matter (e.g., in physics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вакуум - Used in scientific, academic, or technical contexts to describe a vacuum in physics or engineering.

Usage Examples:

• В космосе существует абсолютный вакуум, где отсутствует воздух.

  In space, there exists an absolute vacuum where air is absent.

• Учёные изучают свойства вакуума для разработки новых технологий.

  Scientists study the properties of vacuum for developing new technologies.

• В вакууме звезда может испускать свет без атмосферного сопротивления.

  In a vacuum, a star can emit light without atmospheric resistance.

• Эксперимент требует создания искусственного вакуума в лаборатории.

  The experiment requires creating an artificial vacuum in the laboratory.

Meaning 2: A device for cleaning floors by suction (e.g., vacuum cleaner)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пылесос - Used in everyday domestic or commercial contexts for household appliances.

Usage Examples:

• Я включил пылесос, чтобы убрать пыль с ковра.

  I turned on the vacuum to clean the dust from the carpet.

• Современный пылесос имеет фильтры для аллергиков.

  A modern vacuum has filters for people with allergies.

• Пылесос сломался, и мне пришлось купить новый.

  The vacuum broke, and I had to buy a new one.

• В офисе ежедневно используют пылесос для уборки полов.

  In the office, they use a vacuum daily to clean the floors.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'вакуум' and 'пылесос' are masculine nouns in Russian and follow standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. 'Вакуум' is less commonly inflected in everyday use due to its scientific nature, while 'пылесос' varies more in casual speech.

Note: 'Вакуум' is invariant in some contexts and does not always change in plural forms, as it is a borrowed term.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вакуум: безвоздушное пространство (bezvozdushnoye prostranstvo) - More descriptive, used in poetic or explanatory contexts.
  • пылесос: уборочный аппарат (uborochnyy apparat) - Formal synonym for vacuum cleaner in technical descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • вакуум: атмосфера (atmosfera) - Refers to the opposite in a physical sense.
  • пылесос: метла (metla) - A traditional alternative for cleaning, implying a non-electric method.

Related Phrases:

• Вакуумный насос (vakuumnyy nasos) - A pump that creates a vacuum; used in industrial or scientific settings.
• Пылесос с HEPA-фильтром (pylesos s HEPA-fil’trom) - Vacuum with a HEPA filter; common in modern households for allergy control.
• Создать вакуум (sozdat’ vakuum) - To create a vacuum; phrase used in experiments or physics.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'вакуум' for scientific or abstract contexts, as it directly corresponds to the English "vacuum" in physics, ensuring formal accuracy.
• 'Пылесос' is the everyday equivalent for "vacuum cleaner" and is more colloquial; avoid using it in technical discussions to prevent confusion.
• Russian nouns like these require proper declension based on case; for example, use genitive forms in possessive structures (e.g., "в вакууме" for "in the vacuum").
• In informal speech, 'пылесос' might be abbreviated or slangified, but stick to standard forms for learners.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'вакуум' with 'пылесос' and use them interchangeably, e.g., saying "Я купил вакуум для уборки" (incorrect) instead of "Я купил пылесос для уборки" (correct). Explanation: 'Вакуум' refers only to the physical concept, not the appliance.
• Misdeclining nouns, such as using nominative 'пылесос' in genitive contexts: "Я потерял пылесос" (correct for accusative) vs. "Я потерял пылесоса" (incorrect in some cases). Always check the case based on sentence structure.
• Pronouncing 'ы' in 'пылесос' as a standard 'i', which softens the word unnaturally. Correct pronunciation emphasizes the unique Russian vowel sound.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'пылесос' represents modern domestic life and efficiency, often featured in Soviet-era literature as a symbol of technological progress. 'Вакуум', on the other hand, evokes scientific exploration, tied to Russia's space program history, like the achievements of Sputnik, highlighting national pride in physics and engineering.

Related Concepts:

• атмосфера (atmosfera)
• космос (kosmos)
• уборка (uborka)
• электроника (elektronika)