Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'augment'

English Word: augment

Key Russian Translations:

• увеличивать [uvʲɪˈlʲitɕɪvətʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• приумножать [prʲɪʊmˈnoʐətʲ] - [Formal, Often Figurative]
• расширять [rɐʂˈɨrʲətʲ] - [Neutral, Often for Scope or Range]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

увеличивать: [uvʲɪˈlʲitɕɪvətʲ]

Note on увеличивать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "ч" sound is a soft affricate, similar to 'ch' in "church."

приумножать: [prʲɪʊmˈnoʐətʲ]

Note on приумножать: Stress on the third syllable. The "ж" is a voiced retroflex fricative, like 's' in "measure."

расширять: [rɐʂˈɨrʲətʲ]

Note on расширять: Stress on the second syllable. The "ш" is a voiceless retroflex fricative, like 'sh' in "ship."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To increase in size, amount, or degree

Translation(s) & Context:

• увеличивать - Commonly used for physical size, quantity, or intensity (e.g., augment resources).
• приумножать - Often used metaphorically, as in augmenting wealth or achievements.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны увеличить бюджет на этот проект.

  We need to augment the budget for this project.

• Он стремился приумножить свои знания.

  He aimed to augment his knowledge.

• Увеличивая мощность двигателя, мы повысили эффективность.

  By augmenting the engine power, we increased efficiency.

2. To expand or extend (scope, range, etc.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• расширять - Used for expanding boundaries, scope, or influence (e.g., augment a business).

Usage Examples:

• Компания планирует расширить свои услуги.

  The company plans to augment its services.

• Мы хотим расширить круг наших партнеров.

  We want to augment the circle of our partners.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

увеличивать (verb, imperfective): Follows regular conjugation for verbs ending in -ать. Used for ongoing or repeated action.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense
Я (I)	увеличиваю	увеличивал(а)
Ты (You, informal)	увеличиваешь	увеличивал(а)
Он/Она (He/She)	увеличивает	увеличивал(а)

Note: Perfective form is "увеличить" (used for completed action).

приумножать (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation, similar to увеличивать.

расширять (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation, stress shifts in some forms. Perfective form is "расширить."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• повышать (to raise/increase)
• усиливать (to strengthen/intensify)

Note: "повышать" is often used for levels or status, while "усиливать" implies intensification of force or effect.

Antonyms:

• уменьшать (to reduce)
• сокращать (to shorten/cut down)

Related Phrases:

• увеличивать доходы - to augment income
• приумножать богатство - to augment wealth
• расширять горизонты - to augment horizons (figurative, to broaden perspectives)

Usage Notes:

• "Увеличивать" is the most versatile and widely used translation for "augment," suitable for both literal and abstract increases.
• "Приумножать" often carries a positive or ambitious connotation, frequently used in contexts of wealth, success, or effort.
• "Расширять" is best used when "augment" refers to expanding scope, influence, or range, rather than quantity.
• Be mindful of aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) in Russian verbs, as it affects the nuance of completion or ongoing action.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "увеличивать" for figurative expansion of scope (e.g., "augment horizons"). Correct: Use "расширять" instead. Example: Incorrect - "увеличивать горизонты"; Correct - "расширять горизонты."
• Error: Ignoring verbal aspect and using imperfective forms for completed actions. Correct: Use perfective forms like "увеличить" when the augmentation is a one-time, completed act.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "augmenting" wealth or success (via "приумножать") often carries a cultural emphasis on diligence and long-term effort, reflecting historical values of perseverance.

Related Concepts:

• рост (growth)
• развитие (development)
• прогресс (progress)