Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Adjoin'

English Word: Adjoin

Key Russian Translations:

• примыкать [prʲɪˈmɨkətʲ] - [Formal, Used for physical or abstract adjacency]
• соприкасаться [səprʲɪkəˈsatʲsə] - [Formal, Often used for touching or bordering]
• граничащий [ɡrəˈnʲitɕɪj] - [Formal, Adjective form, Often used for bordering areas]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts related to location or connection)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "примыкать" and "соприкасаться"; B1 (Pre-Intermediate) for "граничащий"

Pronunciation (Russian):

примыкать: [prʲɪˈmɨkətʲ]

Note on примыкать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ы" sound is a unique Russian vowel, pronounced as a short, unrounded central vowel.

соприкасаться: [səprʲɪkəˈsatʲsə]

Note on соприкасаться: Stress on the fourth syllable. The soft "тʲ" requires palatalization, a common feature in Russian.

граничащий: [ɡrəˈnʲitɕɪj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To be next to or connected physically:

Translation(s) & Context:

• примыкать - Used for buildings, rooms, or areas that are directly connected or adjacent.
• соприкасаться - Often implies a point of contact or bordering, especially in a literal sense.

Usage Examples:

• Комната примыкает к кухне.

  The room adjoins the kitchen.

• Наш участок примыкает к лесу.

  Our plot adjoins the forest.

• Эти две страны соприкасаются на границе.

  These two countries adjoin at the border.

2. To be related or connected in an abstract sense:

Translation(s) & Context:

• примыкать - Used for ideas, concepts, or groups that are related or connected.

Usage Examples:

• Его мнение примыкает к нашему подходу.

  His opinion adjoins our approach.

• Эта теория примыкает к более широкой концепции.

  This theory adjoins a broader concept.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

примыкать (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать. It is often used with the preposition "к" (to) when indicating adjacency.

соприкасаться (Verb, Imperfective): Reflexive verb, conjugated similarly but always used with the reflexive suffix -ся.

граничащий (Adjective): Declines based on gender, number, and case, following standard adjective patterns in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for примыкать:

• соседствовать
• прилегать

Note: "соседствовать" is often used for neighboring areas, while "прилегать" emphasizes lying next to something.

Antonyms for примыкать:

• отделяться
• отдаляться

Related Phrases:

• примыкать к группе - To adjoin or join a group (often in an abstract sense).
• соприкасаться с проблемой - To come into contact with a problem (figurative use).
• граничащий с безумием - Bordering on madness (idiomatic expression).

Usage Notes:

• "примыкать" is the most versatile translation for "adjoin," applicable in both physical and abstract contexts. It often requires the preposition "к" (to) when specifying what it adjoins.
• "соприкасаться" emphasizes physical contact or bordering and is less common in abstract contexts. It is always reflexive with the suffix -ся.
• "граничащий" as an adjective is useful in descriptive contexts, especially for geographical or metaphorical boundaries.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting the preposition "к" with "примыкать." Incorrect: *Комната примыкает кухня.* Correct: Комната примыкает к кухне. (The room adjoins the kitchen.)
• Error: Using "соприкасаться" without the reflexive -ся. Incorrect: *Они соприкасают.* Correct: Они соприкасаются. (They adjoin/touch.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of adjacency or bordering (especially with "граничащий") often carries geopolitical or territorial connotations due to Russia's vast borders and historical emphasis on neighboring relations. Phrases like "граничащий с чем-то" can also be used metaphorically to imply something extreme or on the edge (e.g., "граничащий с абсурдом" - bordering on absurdity).

Related Concepts:

• соседство (neighborhood)
• граница (border)
• связь (connection)