Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Adaptation'

English Word: Adaptation

Key Russian Translations:

• адаптация [adapˈtat͡sija] - [Formal, General Use]
• приспособление [prispasobˈlenije] - [Neutral, Often Concrete or Technical]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, technical, and everyday contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "адаптация"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "приспособление" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

адаптация: [adapˈtat͡sija]

Note on адаптация: Stress falls on the third syllable ("та"). The "ц" is pronounced as a soft "ts".

приспособление: [prispasobˈlenije]

Note on приспособление: Stress on the fourth syllable ("ле"). Ensure the "ие" ending is pronounced clearly as two syllables.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The process of adjusting or adapting (general or biological)

Translation(s) & Context:

• адаптация - Used for biological, social, or psychological adjustment (e.g., adapting to a new environment).

Usage Examples:

• Адаптация к новым условиям заняла у неё несколько месяцев.

  Adaptation to the new conditions took her several months.

• Адаптация организма к холоду происходит постепенно.

  The body's adaptation to the cold happens gradually.

• Социальная адаптация иммигрантов — важный процесс.

  Social adaptation of immigrants is an important process.

2. A device or means of adapting (technical or concrete)

Translation(s) & Context:

• приспособление - Refers to a tool, mechanism, or physical adaptation for a specific purpose.

Usage Examples:

• Это приспособление помогает открывать бутылки.

  This adaptation helps open bottles.

• Инженеры разработали новое приспособление для работы под водой.

  Engineers developed a new adaptation for working underwater.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

адаптация (Noun, Feminine): Follows the standard feminine noun declension in Russian.

приспособление (Noun, Neuter): Follows the standard neuter noun declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for адаптация:

• привыкание (getting used to)
• акклиматизация (specific to climate adaptation)

Synonyms for приспособление:

• устройство (device)
• инструмент (tool, in specific contexts)

Antonyms:

• неприспособленность (maladaptation, lack of adaptation)

Related Phrases:

• процесс адаптации - "process of adaptation" (common in formal and academic contexts)
• приспособление для работы - "adaptation for work" (refers to tools or equipment)
• адаптация к культуре - "cultural adaptation" (used in social contexts)

Usage Notes:

• "адаптация" is the more common and versatile term, covering abstract and biological adaptation. Use it for general contexts like social or environmental adjustment.
• "приспособление" often implies a physical or technical adaptation, such as a tool or mechanism. Avoid using it for abstract concepts like psychological adaptation.
• Both terms are formal or neutral; there are no highly informal equivalents for "adaptation" in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "приспособление" to describe social or biological adaptation.
  Incorrect: "Социальное приспособление" (sounds unnatural).
  Correct: "Социальная адаптация".
  Explanation: "приспособление" is reserved for tangible or technical contexts.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable in "адаптация".
  Incorrect: [ˈadap.tat͡sija].
  Correct: [adapˈtat͡sija].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, "адаптация" often appears in discussions of post-Soviet societal changes, reflecting the cultural and historical importance of adapting to new political or economic systems. It carries a nuanced connotation of resilience in such contexts.

Related Concepts:

• акклиматизация (acclimatization)
• ассимиляция (assimilation)
• интеграция (integration)