Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bombard'

English Word: bombard

Key Russian Translations:

• бомбардировать (/bɐmbɐrdʲɪrəvɐtʲ/) - [Formal, Military contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in news, military, or historical discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb conjugations and vocabulary related to conflict)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бомбардировать: /bɐmbɐrdʲɪrəvɐtʲ/

Note on бомбардировать: The stress falls on the fourth syllable (-ди-). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) in palatalized consonants, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To attack a place or target with bombs, artillery, or continuous force

Translation(s) & Context:

• бомбардировать - Used in formal, military, or journalistic contexts to describe aerial or artillery attacks; often implies sustained or intense action.

Usage Examples:

• Войска бомбардировали вражеские позиции всю ночь.

  The troops bombarded the enemy positions all night.

• Во время войны самолёты бомбардировали города, вызывая огромные разрушения.

  During the war, planes bombarded cities, causing massive destruction.

• Артиллерия бомбардировала крепость, чтобы ослабить её оборону.

  The artillery bombarded the fortress to weaken its defenses.

• В metaphorical sense: Журналисты бомбардировали министра вопросами на пресс-конференции.

  Journalists bombarded the minister with questions at the press conference.

• Морские силы бомбардировали береговую линию для поддержки наземных операций.

  Naval forces bombarded the coastline to support ground operations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Бомбардировать" is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most forms. It is imperfective and can be used in various tenses. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This verb is regular, so it doesn't have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once the patterns are memorized.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: атаковать (to attack; more general), обстреливать (to shell or fire upon; focuses on projectiles)
• Антонимы: защищать (to defend; implies protection against attack), отступать (to retreat; suggests withdrawal)

Related Phrases:

• Воздушная бомбардировка - Air bombardment; used in contexts of aerial warfare.
• Артиллерийский обстрел - Artillery bombardment; refers to ground-based attacks.
• Бомбардировка городов - Bombing of cities; often in historical or strategic discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Бомбардировать" directly corresponds to the English "bombard" in its military sense, but it can also be used metaphorically for overwhelming with questions or information, similar to English. It is typically formal and avoids casual conversation. When choosing this word, ensure the context involves intensity or repetition; for simpler attacks, "атаковать" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, always conjugate based on subject and tense, as Russian verbs change form extensively.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "бомбард" without the full verb form, thinking it's a noun. Correct: The full verb is "бомбардировать"; for example, incorrect: "Они бомбард позиции" (wrong), correct: "Они бомбардировали позиции" (They bombarded the positions). Explanation: Russian verbs must be fully conjugated; omitting endings leads to incomprehensibility.

• Error: Confusing with "бомба" (bomb), leading to misuse like "бомбардировать бомбой" redundantly. Correct: Simply use "бомбардировать" without repetition; e.g., avoid "Они бомбардировали бомбами" if unnecessary. Explanation: Redundancy is common for English speakers, but Russian prefers concise phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like "бомбардировать" evoke memories of major conflicts such as World War II, where aerial bombardments were pivotal. It carries a weighty connotation, often symbolizing destruction and resilience in literature and media, reflecting Russia's experiences with invasions and defenses.

Related Concepts:

• артиллерия (artillery)
• война (war)
• оборона (defense)