Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'windmill'

English Word: windmill

Key Russian Translations:

• ветряная мельница [vʲɛtrʲájə mʲɪlʲˈnʲit͡sə] - [Formal, used in historical or literary contexts]
• ветряк [vʲɛtrʲák] - [Informal, modern or colloquial usage, especially for wind turbines]
• ветрогенератор [vʲɛtrəɡʲɪnʲɪrátər] - [Technical, formal, used in engineering or energy contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, history, and modern discussions about renewable energy, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires basic knowledge of Russian nouns and adjectives; "ветряк" might be A2 for simpler forms, while "ветрогенератор" could reach B2 due to technical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ветряная мельница: [vʲɛtrʲájə mʲɪlʲˈnʲit͡sə]

ветряк: [vʲɛtrʲák]

ветрогенератор: [vʲɛtrəɡʲɪnʲɪrátər]

Note on ветряная мельница: The stress falls on the second syllable of "мельница" (mʲɪlʲˈnʲit͡sə), which can be tricky for learners due to the palatalized consonants; variations in regional accents may soften the 'r' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A structure that uses wind power to grind grain or pump water (historical windmill)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветряная мельница - Used in formal, historical, or descriptive contexts, such as discussing traditional architecture or rural life.

Usage Examples:

• В деревне стоит старая ветряная мельница, которая работала еще в XIX веке.

  In the village stands an old windmill that operated as early as the 19th century.

• Туристы любят фотографировать ветряные мельницы в Нидерландах.

  Tourists love to photograph windmills in the Netherlands.

• Во время экскурсии мы увидели, как работает ветряная мельница для помола зерна.

  During the tour, we saw how the windmill works for grinding grain.

• Ветряная мельница в музее демонстрирует традиционные методы обработки муки.

  The windmill in the museum demonstrates traditional methods of flour processing.

• Из-за сильного ветра ветряная мельница вращалась очень быстро.

  Due to the strong wind, the windmill was spinning very quickly.

2. A modern device that converts wind energy into electricity (wind turbine)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ветряк - Informal context, often in everyday or environmental discussions.
• ветрогенератор - Formal or technical contexts, such as scientific reports or energy policy.

Usage Examples:

• На холме установлен большой ветряк для производства электроэнергии.

  A large wind turbine is installed on the hill to produce electricity.

• Правительство планирует установить новые ветрогенераторы в регионе.

  The government plans to install new wind turbines in the region.

• Ветряк на ферме помогает снизить затраты на электричество.

  The wind turbine on the farm helps reduce electricity costs.

• Из-за шторма ветрогенератор был временно отключен.

  Due to the storm, the wind turbine was temporarily shut down.

• Молодые инженеры изучают, как улучшить эффективность ветряков.

  Young engineers are studying how to improve the efficiency of wind turbines.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ветряная мельница" is a noun phrase where "ветряная" is a feminine adjective and "мельница" is a feminine noun. Russian adjectives agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify. "Ветряк" and "ветрогенератор" are masculine nouns with standard inflections.

Note: These follow regular patterns for Russian nouns and adjectives. "Ветряк" is invariable in some informal uses but typically follows standard masculine patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ветряной двигатель (wind engine; more technical, emphasizes mechanism)
  • эоловый генератор (aeolian generator; rare, poetic or scientific variant)
• Antonyms:
  • водяная мельница (water mill; opposite energy source)
  • паровая машина (steam engine; contrasts with wind-based power)

Related Phrases:

• ветряная мельница в Нидерландах - Refers to iconic Dutch windmills, often used in cultural or travel contexts.
• установка ветряка - Means "installation of a wind turbine," common in environmental discussions.
• ветрогенератор на крыше - "Wind turbine on the roof," used for residential renewable energy setups.

Usage Notes:

Choose "ветряная мельница" for historical or literal windmills, as it directly mirrors the English term and is preferred in formal writing. "Ветряк" is more casual and modern, suitable for conversations about sustainability, while "ветрогенератор" is best for technical contexts. Be mindful of gender agreement in Russian sentences; for example, adjectives must match the noun's gender. In plural forms, ensure consistency across cases to avoid common grammatical errors.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "ветряная" with a masculine noun, e.g., saying "ветряная ветряк" instead of just "ветряк."

  Correct: "ветряк" alone, as it's masculine. Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; this mismatch confuses learners from genderless languages like English.

• Error: Incorrect case usage, e.g., "Я видел ветряная мельница" (wrong accusative).

  Correct: "Я видел ветряную мельницу." Explanation: In accusative case after verbs like "видеть," the adjective and noun must change form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, windmills evoke images of rural life and historical ingenuity, often linked to European influences like those in the Netherlands. They symbolize adaptation to harsh climates, as seen in Russian folklore and literature, such as in stories by Tolstoy, where windmills represent perseverance against nature's forces.

Related Concepts:

• мельница (mill)
• ветер (wind)
• возобновляемая энергия (renewable energy)