Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'attack'

English Word: attack

Key Russian Translations:

• атака [ɐˈtakə] - [Formal, Noun]
• атаковать [ɐtɐˈkovatʲ] - [Formal, Verb]

Frequency: Medium (Common in military, sports, and digital contexts, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations, as they involve basic noun and verb structures per CEFR, though mastering inflections may require additional practice.

Pronunciation (Russian):

атака: [ɐˈtakə]

Note on атака: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ta"), which is common in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the soft "a" sound at the end.

атаковать: [ɐtɐˈkovatʲ]

Note on атаковать: This is a verb with stress on the third syllable ("ko"). The final "tʲ" indicates a palatalized "t", which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a noun: A violent or aggressive attempt to harm, defeat, or overcome something or someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• атака - Used in military, sports, or cyber contexts to describe an offensive action (e.g., in formal writing or news reports).

Usage Examples:

• Во время войны армия провела мощную атаку на вражеские позиции.

  During the war, the army launched a powerful attack on enemy positions.

• В футболе атака команды была эффективной, что привело к победе.

  In soccer, the team's attack was effective, leading to victory.

• Кибератака на сайт вызвала массовые сбои в работе интернета.

  The cyber attack on the website caused widespread internet disruptions.

• Атака на город была отражена благодаря сильной обороне.

  The attack on the city was repelled due to strong defense.

As a verb: To launch an aggressive action against someone or something.

Translation(s) & Context:

• атаковать - Used in dynamic contexts like warfare, debates, or sports, often in narrative or instructional language.

Usage Examples:

• Враги попытались атаковать крепость на рассвете, но потерпели неудачу.

  The enemies tried to attack the fortress at dawn but failed.

• Хакеры атаковали корпоративную сеть, чтобы украсть конфиденциальные данные.

  Hackers attacked the corporate network to steal confidential data.

• В дебатах оратор атаковал аргументы оппонента с большой силой.

  In the debate, the speaker attacked the opponent's arguments with great force.

• Команда решила атаковать первым, чтобы завоевать преимущество.

  The team decided to attack first to gain an advantage.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

атака is a feminine noun (3rd declension). It follows standard Russian noun inflections, which are regular but can vary by case and number.

атаковать is a first-conjugation verb. It is regular and conjugates based on tense, aspect, and person. Example in present tense:

Past tense: атаковал (masc.), атаковала (fem.), атаковало (neut.); Future: буду атаковать, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нападение (napadeniye) - Similar to атака but often implies a sudden assault; used in legal or crime contexts.
  • штурм (shturm) - More specific to storming or assaulting fortifications.
• Antonyms:
  • защита (zaschita) - Defense or protection.
  • отступление (otstuplenie) - Retreat or withdrawal.

Related Phrases:

• Кибератака (Kiberataka) - Cyber attack; Refers to digital assaults on systems.
• Атаковать с фланга (Atakovat' s flanga) - To attack from the flank; A military tactic involving surprise from the sides.
• Массированная атака (Massirovannaya ataka) - Massive attack; Used for large-scale offensives in strategy or warfare.

Usage Notes:

Both "атака" and "атаковать" are loanwords from English/French, making them straightforward for English speakers, but they carry a formal tone and are less common in everyday informal Russian. Use "атака" as a noun for static descriptions (e.g., in reports), and "атаковать" for actions. Be cautious with context: in military settings, these words are neutral, but in casual speech, alternatives like "нападать" might be preferred. When choosing between translations, opt for "атака" if the English "attack" is nominal, and "атаковать" if verbal.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing the noun "атака" with the verb form, e.g., saying "атака на врага" when intending to conjugate it as a verb. Correct: Use "атаковать врага" for the action. Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated, so always check the sentence structure.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, e.g., using "атака" in the wrong case like "атакой" instead of "атаку" in accusative. Correct: "Мы провели атаку" (We conducted an attack). Explanation: Pay attention to Russian case endings to avoid grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like "атака" are heavily associated with military events, such as those in World War II or the Great Patriotic War. They often carry connotations of heroism or resilience, as seen in literature and films, which can add emotional weight to their usage beyond a simple English equivalent.

Related Concepts:

• оборона (oborona)
• стратегия (strategiya)
• война (voyna)