Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'abstraction'

English Word: abstraction

Key Russian Translations:

• абстракция (/ɐbˈstraktsɨjə/) - [Formal, Used in academic, philosophical, or technical contexts]
• абстрагирование (/ɐbstrɐˈɡʲirəvənʲije/) - [Formal, Often used for the process of abstracting, e.g., in logic or programming]

Frequency: Medium (Common in specialized fields like philosophy, mathematics, and art, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for 'абстракция'; C1 (Advanced) for 'абстрагирование' due to more complex grammatical usage in technical contexts

Pronunciation (Russian):

абстракция: /ɐbˈstraktsɨjə/

абстрагирование: /ɐbstrɐˈɡʲirəvənʲije/

Note on абстракция: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (щ) which can be tricky for English speakers, sounding like a prolonged 'sh'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The concept of something abstract, not concrete (e.g., an idea or theory)

Translation(s) & Context:

• абстракция - Used in philosophical or artistic discussions to refer to intangible concepts, often in formal writing or lectures.
• абстрагирование - Applied in contexts involving the act of extracting essential qualities, such as in scientific abstraction.

Usage Examples:

• В философии абстракция помогает понять общие понятия, такие как справедливость.

  In philosophy, abstraction helps understand general concepts, such as justice.

• Художник использовал абстракцию, чтобы выразить эмоции без реалистических деталей.

  The artist used abstraction to express emotions without realistic details.

• Процесс абстрагирования данных позволяет упростить сложные модели в программировании.

  The process of abstracting data allows simplifying complex models in programming.

• Абстракция в математике часто игнорирует конкретные числа, фокусируясь на структурах.

  Abstraction in mathematics often ignores specific numbers, focusing on structures.

Meaning 2: The act of removing or separating something from a whole (e.g., in a more literal or process-oriented sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• абстрагирование - Common in technical or scientific contexts, such as data processing or logical reasoning.

Usage Examples:

• Абстрагирование ненужных деталей помогает сосредоточиться на главном в анализе.

  Abstracting unnecessary details helps focus on the main points in analysis.

• В психологии абстрагирование эмоций от событий способствует объективному мышлению.

  In psychology, abstracting emotions from events promotes objective thinking.

• Абстрагирование концепций из реальности — ключевой навык для ученых.

  Abstracting concepts from reality is a key skill for scientists.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Абстракция' is a feminine noun in the first declension. It follows regular patterns for Russian nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

'Абстрагирование' is a neuter noun and also follows first declension patterns, but it is less commonly inflected due to its abstract nature. It remains unchanged in many contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: абстрактность (more about the quality of being abstract), обобщение (generalization, with a focus on summarizing)
• – Fine distinction: 'Абстрактность' emphasizes the state, while 'обобщение' implies a process of combining.
• Antonyms: конкретность (concreteness, directly opposite in meaning)

Related Phrases:

• Абстрактное мышление - Abstract thinking; used in educational or psychological contexts to describe conceptual reasoning.
• Абстракция в искусстве - Abstraction in art; refers to non-representational styles, common in modern discussions.
• Процесс абстрагирования - The process of abstracting; often in scientific or logical applications.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'абстракция' directly corresponds to the English 'abstraction' as a noun for abstract concepts, but it's more formal and prevalent in academic settings. Choose 'абстрагирование' for processes involving extraction or simplification, as in programming or philosophy. Be aware of grammatical gender: 'абстракция' is feminine, so adjectives and verbs must agree (e.g., 'эта абстракция важна'). Avoid using these terms in casual conversation; they are better suited for written or professional contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'абстракция' with 'абстрактный' (an adjective meaning 'abstract'). Incorrect: "Абстрактный процесс" when meaning the noun. Correct: "Процесс абстракции". Explanation: 'Абстрактный' describes qualities, while 'абстракция' is the noun form; this mix-up often stems from direct word-for-word translation.
• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using 'абстракция' in the wrong case. Incorrect: "О абстракция" (should be genitive). Correct: "Об абстракции". Explanation: Russian requires precise case agreement; English speakers may overlook this due to English's lack of cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'абстракция' is heavily associated with Soviet-era avant-garde art movements, such as those led by Kandinsky, who emphasized abstraction as a means of expressing inner emotions and spiritual ideas. This reflects a broader philosophical tradition in Russia influenced by thinkers like Hegel, where abstraction symbolizes intellectual depth and departure from materialism.

Related Concepts:

• концепция
• обобщение
• идеализация