Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'asunder'

English Word: asunder

Key Russian Translations:

• в клочья [v klóčʲa] - [Formal, Literary]
• на части [na částʲi] - [Informal, Everyday]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are rare in modern usage, typically appearing in literary or poetic contexts.)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1 level; requires familiarity with archaic English and nuanced Russian expressions, as 'asunder' is not a common word and its Russian equivalents involve idiomatic phrases.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

в клочья: [v klóčʲa] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'ч' sound, which can be challenging for beginners.)

на части: [na částʲi] (Stress on the first syllable of 'части'; the 'ч' is pronounced as a voiceless palatal fricative.)

Note on в клочья: This phrase often involves a quick, emphatic pronunciation in emotional or dramatic contexts, with the final 'я' softening the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Separated or torn into pieces, often used in a figurative or violent sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• в клочья: Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something being torn apart violently, such as in descriptions of destruction or emotional upheaval.
• на части: Applied in informal settings for physical separation, like breaking an object, but can also metaphorically indicate division.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер разорвал парус в клочья во время шторма.

  The wind tore the sail asunder during the storm. (This example shows the phrase in a literal, destructive context involving nature.)

• Война разбила их семью на части, и они никогда больше не собрались вместе.

  The war tore their family asunder, and they never reunited. (Here, it's used metaphorically for emotional or social division in a historical narrative.)

• Его речь разорвала аудиторию в клочья, вызывая бурные споры.

  His speech tore the audience asunder, sparking heated debates. (This demonstrates the phrase in a figurative sense related to conflict or influence.)

• Молот разбил камень на части одним ударом.

  The hammer broke the stone asunder with one blow. (A simple, everyday example highlighting physical action.)

• Разлад в компании разорвал команду на части, что привело к увольнениям.

  The discord in the company tore the team asunder, leading to resignations. (This shows usage in a professional or organizational context.)

Secondary Meaning: Scattered or dispersed, implying complete separation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• на части: Often used when something is divided into fragments, such as in descriptions of scattering or dispersal.

Usage Examples:

• Взрыв разнес здание на части по всему кварталу.

  The explosion scattered the building asunder across the neighborhood. (Illustrates dispersal in a catastrophic event.)

• Его мечты о славе были разбиты на части неудачами.

  His dreams of glory were torn asunder by failures. (Shows metaphorical use in personal development contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The translations 'в клочья' and 'на части' are phrases rather than single inflectable words, so they do not undergo regular inflection like nouns or verbs. However, their components can change based on context:

• в клочья: 'Клочья' is the plural accusative form of the noun 'клочок' (a piece or shred). It remains relatively stable but can vary by case in sentences, e.g., nominative: 'клочья'.
• на части: 'Части' is the plural accusative of 'часть' (part). It inflects based on grammatical case and number. For example:

These phrases are invariant in most uses, making them straightforward once the base forms are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • в куски (v kús'ki) - Similar to 'в клочья' but more general for pieces.
  • в лоскуты (v lóskutɨ) - Implies ragged pieces, often used interchangeably in literary contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • вместе (vméstʲe) - Together, indicating unity rather than separation.
  • целиком (célʲikəm) - Whole, as an opposite to being torn apart.

Related Phrases:

• Разорвать на части - To tear asunder; used for violent separation in narratives. (Implies complete destruction or division.)
• Распасться в клочья - To fall asunder; often in contexts of disintegration or collapse. (Common in descriptions of objects or relationships breaking down.)
• Разбить в пух и прах - To smash to pieces; a more emphatic phrase for thorough destruction. (Carries a sense of total annihilation.)

Usage Notes:

'Asunder' corresponds closely to Russian phrases like 'в клочья' or 'на части', which are idiomatic and not direct one-word equivalents. Use 'в клочья' for formal or literary contexts to convey a sense of dramatic tearing, while 'на части' is better for everyday or descriptive language. Be mindful of word order in Russian sentences, as these phrases often follow the verb (e.g., "разорвать в клочья"). If the context involves emotions or abstract concepts, opt for 'в клочья' to match the archaic tone of 'asunder'. Grammatically, ensure that any nouns within the phrase agree in case with the rest of the sentence.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'в клочья' literally when a metaphorical sense is intended, e.g., saying "Моя жизнь в клочья" without proper context, which might sound overly dramatic.
  Correct: "Моя жизнь разорвана на части" – This provides a more balanced expression. Explanation: Learners often overuse 'в клочья' for emphasis, but it can make speech sound unnatural; pair it with verbs like 'разорвать' for accuracy.
• Mistake: Confusing case endings, e.g., using 'в клочок' (singular) instead of 'в клочья' (plural).
  Correct: Always use the plural form for 'asunder' implications. Explanation: Russian requires precise agreement in number and case, so beginners might forget to pluralize, altering the meaning.

Cultural Notes:

The concept of something being torn 'asunder' resonates in Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where phrases like 'в клочья' symbolize the chaos of war or personal turmoil. This reflects Russia's historical experiences with upheaval, making such expressions poignant in cultural contexts like discussions of revolution or emotional strife.

Related Concepts:

• разрушение (razrušénije) - Destruction
• разделение (razdelénije) - Division
• крушение (krušénije) - Collapse