Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'zero'

English Word: zero

Key Russian Translations:

• ноль /nolʲ/ - [Formal, Mathematical context]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday counting, mathematics, and scientific contexts)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as it is a basic numerical term essential for foundational Russian language learning)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ноль: /nolʲ/ (The 'л' is palatalized, making it sound softer; stress on the first syllable)

Note on ноль: Pay attention to the palatalization of 'л', which is a common feature in Russian and can be challenging for English speakers. It sounds like "nyol" with a soft 'l'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The number zero (as in the numerical value)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ноль - Used in mathematical, scientific, or everyday counting contexts, such as temperatures, scores, or measurements. It is neutral and formal.

Usage Examples:

• Температура на улице ноль градусов.

  The temperature outside is zero degrees. (This example shows 'ноль' in a weather context, demonstrating its use with measurements.)

• В баскетболе счет был ноль-ноль в перерыве.

  In basketball, the score was zero-zero at halftime. (This illustrates 'ноль' in a sports context, often repeated for emphasis.)

• Эта задача имеет ноль решений в математике.

  This problem has zero solutions in mathematics. (Here, 'ноль' is used in an abstract, problem-solving scenario.)

• Мой счет в банке равен ноль рублей.

  My bank account balance is zero rubles. (This example highlights 'ноль' in financial contexts.)

• После отмены рейса количество пассажиров стало ноль.

  After the flight cancellation, the number of passengers became zero. (This demonstrates 'ноль' in a situational, everyday narrative.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"ноль" is a masculine noun in Russian, belonging to the third declension. It follows standard noun inflections but has some irregularities due to its foreign origin. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: 'ноль' is invariant in some contexts (e.g., as a numeral) and does not change in informal use. It is not commonly pluralized.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: нулевой (nulovoy - meaning 'zero' as an adjective, e.g., zero point); there are no exact synonyms, but related terms like нуль (nul') are archaic and rarely used.
• Antonyms: один (odin - one); два (dva - two)

Explanation: Synonyms like 'нулевой' are used in adjectival forms, which might imply a state of being zero, while antonyms represent the opposite end of the numerical scale.

Related Phrases:

• Нулевой баланс - Zero balance (Refers to a bank account with no funds, common in financial discussions.)
• От нуля до бесконечности - From zero to infinity (An idiomatic phrase used in philosophical or scientific contexts to describe a full range.)
• Ноль внимания - Zero attention (Informal expression meaning complete disregard, often in social or emotional contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'ноль' directly corresponds to the English 'zero' as a numeral and is used universally in Russian for counting, measurements, and mathematics. It is gender-neutral and works in both formal and informal settings, but be cautious in scientific contexts where precision is key. When choosing between translations, 'ноль' is the standard; avoid archaic variants like 'нулъ'. In sentences, it often follows the noun it modifies, e.g., 'ноль градусов' instead of English word order.

• Grammar note: As a noun, it requires correct case agreement, such as genitive in phrases like 'минус ноля' (minus zero).
• Context tip: In phone numbers or addresses, Russians might say 'ноль' for the digit 0, but in casual speech, it's straightforward.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'ноль' with 'нулевой'. For example, an English learner might say 'ноль температура' instead of 'нулевая температура' when using it adjectivally. Correct: нулевая температура (zero temperature). Explanation: 'ноль' is a noun, while 'нулевой' is the adjectival form; misuse can lead to grammatical errors.
• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using 'ноль' in the wrong case like 'в ноль' instead of 'в ноле' for 'in zero'. Correct: в ноле (in zero). Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook, resulting in prepositional errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'ноль' as a concept symbolizes neutrality or absence, much like in English. However, in historical contexts, such as Soviet-era mathematics education, it played a role in emphasizing logical thinking. There's no strong cultural taboo, but in everyday life, phrases like 'с нуля' (from zero) are used metaphorically to mean starting from scratch, reflecting a resilient cultural attitude toward rebuilding.

Related Concepts:

• один (one)
• два (two)
• бесконечность (infinity)