Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'voltage'

English Word: voltage

Key Russian Translations:

• напряжение [nəˈprʲæʐənʲɪjə] - [Formal, Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, engineering, and technical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Requires familiarity with technical vocabulary and basic Russian grammar; suitable for learners with some experience in science-related language

Pronunciation (Russian):

напряжение: [nəˈprʲæʐənʲɪjə]

Note on напряжение: The stress falls on the third syllable ('prʲæʐə'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft 'r' sound (palatalized). Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Electrical potential difference or force that drives electric current

Translation(s) & Context:

• напряжение - Used in physics, engineering, and everyday contexts involving electricity, such as describing power sources or circuits. This is the standard term in formal and technical settings.

Usage Examples:

• В электрической цепи напряжение составляет 220 вольт.

  In the electrical circuit, the voltage is 220 volts.

• Измерьте напряжение в батарее, чтобы убедиться, что она заряжена.

  Measure the voltage in the battery to ensure it's charged.

• Высокое напряжение может быть опасным, если не соблюдать меры безопасности.

  High voltage can be dangerous if safety measures are not followed.

• В трансформаторе понижается напряжение для бытового использования.

  In a transformer, voltage is reduced for household use.

• Напряжение в сети колеблется из-за перегрузки.

  The voltage in the network fluctuates due to overload.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Напряжение" is a neuter noun in the third declension. It follows standard Russian noun inflections for case, number, and gender. The word is regular but can vary based on context.

Note: In technical contexts, the plural form is less common, as "voltage" often refers to a singular concept. If used in a general sense (e.g., multiple voltages), the plural inflections apply.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • электрическое напряжение (electric voltage) - More specific, used when emphasizing the electrical aspect; subtle difference in formality.
  • потенциал (potential) - In broader scientific contexts, but less precise for electrical voltage.
• Antonyms:
  • нулевое напряжение (zero voltage) - Not a direct antonym but indicates absence.

Related Phrases:

• высокое напряжение - High voltage; used in warnings or technical descriptions, often in safety contexts.
• низкое напряжение - Low voltage; refers to safer electrical levels, common in electronics.
• переменное напряжение - Alternating voltage; describes AC power sources, prevalent in modern electricity systems.

Usage Notes:

"Напряжение" directly corresponds to "voltage" in English, particularly in scientific and technical fields. It is a formal term and should be used in professional contexts rather than casual conversation. Be mindful of its inflection based on case (e.g., use the genitive form "напряжения" after prepositions like "из" or "без"). When choosing between translations, "напряжение" is the most accurate and versatile; avoid "потенциал" if the context is strictly electrical. In Russian, it's common to pair it with units like "вольт" (volts) for precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "напряжение" with "нагрузка" (load), as both relate to electricity. Incorrect: "Нагрузка в цепи 220 вольт" (wrongly using "load" for "voltage"). Correct: "Напряжение в цепи 220 вольт". Explanation: "Нагрузка" refers to electrical load or stress, not potential difference, which can lead to misunderstandings in technical discussions.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect for case, e.g., using nominative "напряжение" in all contexts. Incorrect: "Измерить напряжение" (should be dative). Correct: "Измерить напряжение" is actually correct here, but in phrases like "без напряжения", it should be genitive: "без напряжения". Explanation: Always check the grammatical case based on the sentence structure to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, "напряжение" is a fundamental term in physics and engineering curricula, reflecting Russia's strong emphasis on STEM fields due to its historical contributions to space exploration and technology. It's often encountered in practical contexts like electrical safety standards, which are influenced by Soviet-era regulations still in use today.

Related Concepts:

• ток (current)
• сопротивление (resistance)
• электричество (electricity)