Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Avert'

English Word: avert

Key Russian Translations:

• предотвратить [prʲɪdɐˈvraʲtʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Often used in serious or official contexts]
• избежать [ɪzbʲɪˈʒatʲ] - [Neutral, Common in everyday speech]
• отвести [ɐtvʲɪˈsʲtʲi] - [Neutral, Often used metaphorically, e.g., averting danger or gaze]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and written contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

предотвратить: [prʲɪdɐˈvraʲtʲɪtʲ]

Note on предотвратить: Stress falls on the third syllable; the "р" sounds are rolled distinctly.

избежать: [ɪzbʲɪˈʒatʲ]

Note on избежать: The "ж" is a voiced fricative, similar to 's' in "measure".

отвести: [ɐtvʲɪˈsʲtʲi]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To prevent something undesirable (e.g., danger, disaster)

Translation(s) & Context:

• предотвратить - Used for preventing serious events, often in formal or written language (e.g., averting a crisis).
• избежать - Used for avoiding negative outcomes in a more general sense (e.g., averting conflict).

Usage Examples:

• Мы смогли предотвратить катастрофу.

  We managed to avert a disaster.

• Нам нужно избежать конфликта любой ценой.

  We need to avert conflict at all costs.

• Правительство приняло меры, чтобы предотвратить кризис.

  The government took measures to avert a crisis.

2. To turn away (e.g., gaze, eyes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отвести - Commonly used for physically or metaphorically turning away something (e.g., averting one’s eyes).

Usage Examples:

• Она отвела взгляд, чтобы не смотреть на него.

  She averted her gaze so as not to look at him.

• Он отвёл глаза от ужасного зрелища.

  He averted his eyes from the horrible sight.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

предотвратить (perfective verb): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs in Russian. It indicates a completed action.

избежать (perfective verb): Regular perfective verb with similar conjugation patterns.

отвести (perfective verb): Regular perfective verb, often used with prefixes for different nuances.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for предотвратить/избежать (prevent/avoid):

• предупредить (to forestall, warn)
• уклониться (to evade)

Note: "предупредить" can also mean "to warn," so context is key.

Antonyms:

• допустить (to allow, permit)
• спровоцировать (to provoke)

Related Phrases:

• предотвратить беду - To avert trouble (used for preventing negative events).
• избежать опасности - To avert danger (common in everyday speech).
• отвести угрозу - To avert a threat (often used metaphorically).

Usage Notes:

• "предотвратить" is more formal and often used in written or official contexts, such as reports or speeches about preventing crises or disasters.
• "избежать" is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings for avoiding negative outcomes.
• "отвести" often carries a physical or metaphorical sense of turning something away and is commonly used with "взгляд" (gaze) or "угроза" (threat).
• Be mindful of aspect: all three verbs are perfective, indicating completed actions. For ongoing or habitual actions, imperfective forms like "предотвращать" or "избегать" may be needed.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "предотвратить" in casual conversation.
  Incorrect: Я предотвратил опоздание.
  Correct: Я избежал опоздания.
  Explanation: "предотвратить" sounds overly formal for everyday situations like avoiding lateness; "избежать" is more natural.
• Error: Misusing "отвести" for abstract prevention.
  Incorrect: Мы отвели катастрофу.
  Correct: Мы предотвратили катастрофу.
  Explanation: "отвести" is better for tangible or metaphorical "turning away," not for general prevention.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "averting" danger or trouble often carries a fatalistic undertone, reflecting a cultural tendency to emphasize prevention due to historical experiences with crises. Expressions like "предотвратить беду" (avert trouble) are commonly used in literature and speech, evoking a sense of urgency or communal responsibility.

Related Concepts:

• защита (protection)
• предупреждение (warning, prevention)
• опасность (danger)