Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'assess'

English Word: assess

Key Russian Translations:

• оценивать [ɐt͡sɨˈnʲivətʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• оценить [ɐt͡sɨˈnʲitʲ] - [Formal, Perfective Aspect]
• определить [ɐprʲɪdʲɪˈlʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often Used for Determining Value or Status]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "оценивать" and "оценить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "определить"

Pronunciation (Russian):

оценивать: [ɐt͡sɨˈnʲivətʲ]

Note on оценивать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ц' sound is a soft affricate, similar to 'ts' in "cats".

оценить: [ɐt͡sɨˈnʲitʲ]

Note on оценить: Stress on the second syllable. This is the perfective form of "оценивать".

определить: [ɐprʲɪdʲɪˈlʲitʲ]

Note on определить: Stress on the fourth syllable. The soft 'л' sound is distinct in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something

Translation(s) & Context:

• оценивать / оценить - Commonly used for grading, appraising, or judging (e.g., performance, value, or quality).

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны оценивать результаты каждый месяц.

  We must assess the results every month.

• Учитель оценил мою работу на отлично.

  The teacher assessed my work as excellent.

• Нужно оценить стоимость этого дома.

  We need to assess the value of this house.

2. To determine or fix the amount of (e.g., tax, fine)

Translation(s) & Context:

• определить - Often used in formal contexts for determining or calculating specific amounts or statuses.

Usage Examples:

• Налоговая служба определила сумму налога.

  The tax office assessed the amount of tax.

• Суд определил размер штрафа.

  The court assessed the amount of the fine.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

оценивать (Imperfective Verb): Regular verb of the 1st conjugation. Follows standard conjugation patterns for imperfective verbs ending in -ать.

оценить (Perfective Verb): Perfective form of "оценивать". Used for completed actions.

определить (Perfective Verb): Perfective verb with similar conjugation patterns, often used in formal or definitive contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for оценивать/оценить:

• рассматривать (to consider)
• анализировать (to analyze)

Note: "рассматривать" is broader and often implies a detailed examination, while "анализировать" focuses on a deeper, analytical evaluation.

Antonyms for оценивать/оценить:

• игнорировать (to ignore)
• пренебрегать (to neglect)

Related Phrases:

• оценивать по достоинству - To appreciate or value something properly.
• оценить ситуацию - To assess the situation.
• определить стоимость - To determine the cost or value.

Usage Notes:

• "оценивать" is an imperfective verb used for ongoing or habitual assessment, while "оценить" is perfective, used for a one-time or completed assessment.
• "определить" is more formal and often used in contexts involving definitive judgments or calculations, such as taxes or legal penalties.
• Be mindful of the aspect (perfective/imperfective) when choosing between "оценивать" and "оценить", as it affects the meaning significantly in Russian.

Common Errors:

1. Confusing Verb Aspects: English learners often mix up "оценивать" (ongoing) and "оценить" (completed). For example, saying "Я оцениваю дом вчера" is incorrect. The correct form is "Я оценил дом вчера" (I assessed the house yesterday), using the perfective past tense.

2. Misusing "определить": Learners might use "определить" in casual contexts where "оценивать" is more appropriate. For instance, "определить работу студента" sounds overly formal; use "оценить работу студента" instead for grading a student's work.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the act of assessing or evaluating, especially in educational or professional contexts, often carries a formal tone. Using "оценивать" or "оценить" when discussing grades or performance reflects a structured, hierarchical approach to feedback, which is common in Russian academic and workplace settings.

Related Concepts:

• анализ (analysis)
• критика (criticism)
• суждение (judgment)