Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'arrogate'

English Word: arrogate

Key Russian Translations:

• присвоить /prʲɪˈsvo.ɪtʲ/ - [Formal, often used for appropriating ideas or property]
• узурпировать /u.zu.rʲɪˈrɔ.vatʲ/ - [Formal, typically in contexts of seizing power or authority]

Frequency: Medium (These verbs are not everyday words but appear in formal writing, legal, or historical contexts)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations, as they involve understanding verb aspects and formal vocabulary; learners should be familiar with Russian verb conjugation

Pronunciation (Russian):

присвоить: /prʲɪˈsvo.ɪtʲ/

Note on присвоить: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 's' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

узурпировать: /u.zu.rʲɪˈrɔ.vatʲ/

Note on узурпировать: This word has a borrowed French origin, so the pronunciation includes a rolled 'r' and stressed 'o'; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To take or claim something (especially power or rights) without justification

Translation(s) & Context:

• присвоить - Used in contexts involving the unauthorized taking of ideas, property, or credits, often in intellectual or legal scenarios.
• узурпировать - Applied specifically to the illegal seizure of authority or power, such as in political or historical narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Он присвоил себе заслуги коллег, чтобы продвинуться по карьерной лестнице.

  He arrogated his colleagues' merits to himself in order to advance his career.

• Власти узурпировали контроль над СМИ во время кризиса.

  The authorities arrogated control over the media during the crisis.

• Менеджер присвоил идею подчиненного, не указав источник.

  The manager arrogated the subordinate's idea without crediting the source.

• Политик попытался узурпировать власть, игнорируя конституцию.

  The politician tried to arrogate power by ignoring the constitution.

• Она присвоила чужие инновации, чтобы выиграть грант.

  She arrogated others' innovations to win the grant.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "присвоить" and "узурпировать" are perfective verbs in Russian, meaning they express completed actions. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. These verbs follow standard conjugation patterns but are irregular in some forms due to their roots.

For "присвоить" (to arrogate, perfective):

For "узурпировать" (similarly perfective):

These verbs do not change in imperative or infinitive forms beyond standard rules. Note the aspect: Use imperfective counterparts like "присваивать" for ongoing actions if needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • захватить (zakhvatit') - More general, meaning to seize or capture.
  • овладеть (ovladet') - To take control, with a nuance of mastery.
• Antonyms:
  • отдать (otdat') - To give or surrender.
  • отказаться (otkazat'sya) - To refuse or relinquish.

Related Phrases:

• присвоить власть - To arrogate power; used in political contexts to describe unauthorized takeover.
• узурпировать трон - To arrogate the throne; often in historical or literary settings, implying royal seizure.
• присвоить чужое имущество - To arrogate someone else's property; common in legal discussions about theft or misappropriation.

Usage Notes:

"Arrogate" corresponds most closely to "присвоить" when dealing with intellectual property or personal claims, and to "узурпировать" in power-related scenarios. Always consider the formal register, as these words are rarely used in casual conversation. In Russian, verb aspect is crucial: Use the perfective form for completed actions, as shown. When choosing between translations, opt for "узурпировать" if the context involves authority, and "присвоить" for everyday appropriations. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement based on gender and number, which can differ from English patterns.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "присвоить" with "взять" (to take), leading to overuse of simpler verbs. Correct: Use "присвоить" for unauthorized taking, e.g., "Он взял книгу" vs. "Он присвоил книгу" (implying theft). Explanation: "Взять" is neutral, while "присвоить" conveys illegitimacy.
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, such as saying "присвоит" for plural subjects. Correct: Use "присвоят" for "they." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject, unlike English, which can lead to errors in tense and person.
• Mistake: Using "узурпировать" in non-power contexts, e.g., for ideas. Correct: Stick to "присвоить" for such cases. Explanation: Overgeneralization can make speech sound unnatural; context is key in Russian vocabulary selection.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "узурпировать" often evoke Russian historical contexts, such as the power struggles in tsarist Russia or Soviet-era politics, where leaders frequently "arrogated" authority. This reflects a cultural emphasis on hierarchy and the consequences of power grabs, which can add depth to literary works like those by Dostoevsky.

Related Concepts:

• власть (power)
• узурпация (usurpation)
• присвоение (appropriation)