Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'calcify'

English Word: calcify

Key Russian Translations:

• окостенеть [ɐkɐˈstenʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in medical or scientific contexts]
• окальцифицироваться [ɐkəlʲtsɨfɨˈtsɨrəvɐt͡sə] - [Formal, technical term in biology and medicine]

Frequency: Low (This term is specialized and primarily appears in scientific, medical, or technical discussions, not everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for "окостенеть"; B2-C1 for "окальцифицироваться", as it involves understanding advanced verb forms and scientific vocabulary in Russian.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

окостенеть: [ɐkɐˈstenʲɪtʲ]

окальцифицироваться: [ɐkəlʲtsɨfɨˈtsɨrəvɐt͡sə]

Note on окостенеть: The stress falls on the third syllable ("sten"), and the soft sign (ʲ) indicates palatalization, which can be tricky for English speakers; practice with native audio for accurate pronunciation.

Note on окальцифицироваться: This is a longer verb with multiple syllables; focus on the rolling 'r' and the soft consonants for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To become hardened or converted into a bony substance (e.g., in medical contexts like artery calcification)

Translation(s) & Context:

• окостенеть - Used in formal scientific writing or discussions about biological processes, such as bone formation or pathological hardening.
• окальцифицироваться - Applied in technical contexts, like describing the calcification of tissues in medicine, often in research papers or lectures.

Usage Examples:

• В артериях может окостенеть отложение кальция, что приводит к сердечным проблемам.

  In the arteries, calcium deposits can calcify, leading to heart problems.

• Со временем зубной налет окостеневает и превращается в твердые отложения.

  Over time, dental plaque calcifies and turns into hard deposits.

• В лабораторных условиях мы наблюдаем, как клетки окальцифицируются под влиянием определенных химических веществ.

  In laboratory conditions, we observe how cells calcify under the influence of certain chemicals.

• Если не лечить, опухоль может окостенеть, делая ее более устойчивой к терапии.

  If left untreated, the tumor can calcify, making it more resistant to therapy.

• В процессе старения кости иногда окальцифицируются неправильно, вызывая боли.

  During the aging process, bones sometimes calcify incorrectly, causing pain.

To harden through calcium deposition (metaphorical or geological uses)

Translation(s) & Context:

• окостенеть - In metaphorical contexts, such as describing rigid ideas or structures in literature or philosophy.

Usage Examples:

• Его взгляды на жизнь окостенели с возрастом, не позволяя ему адаптироваться к изменениям.

  His views on life have calcified with age, preventing him from adapting to changes.

• Геологические породы окостенели за миллионы лет, формируя скалистые ландшафты.

  Geological rocks have calcified over millions of years, forming rocky landscapes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, mood, and person. "Окостенеть" and "окальцифицироваться" are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or potential processes. Russian verbs have imperfective and perfective aspects; these are imperfective, but perfective forms exist (e.g., "окостенить" for окостенеть).

For "окостенеть" (infinitive):

For "окальцифицироваться", the conjugations follow similar patterns but are more complex due to its length; it is irregular in some aspects. Note: These verbs do not change based on gender in the infinitive form but do in the past tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • закостенеть (similar, but more literary, implying rigidity)
  • окаменеть (used for petrification, with a connotation of turning to stone)
• Antonyms:
  • размягчиться (to soften or become flexible)
  • раствориться (to dissolve, in a chemical context)

Related Phrases:

• окостенение артерий - Hardening of the arteries (common in medical discussions, referring to atherosclerosis).
• процесс окальцификации - The process of calcification (used in scientific contexts to describe mineral deposition).
• окостеневшие традиции - Calcified traditions (metaphorical phrase for rigid, unchanging customs).

Usage Notes:

"Calcify" directly corresponds to "окостенеть" in everyday medical English-to-Russian translation, but "окальцифицироваться" is preferred in highly technical or academic settings due to its precision. Both are formal and rarely used in informal speech; avoid them in casual conversations. Grammatically, these are reflexive verbs in Russian (ending in -ся), so they often require the particle "ся" to indicate the action on oneself. When choosing between translations, opt for "окостенеть" for biological processes and "окальцифицироваться" for chemical ones. Be mindful of aspect: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective (e.g., "окостенить") for completed ones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing the reflexive particle: English learners often forget to include "ся" in "окостенеть", saying "окостенеть" instead of the full form, which makes it incorrect. Correct: Use "окостенеться" in certain contexts; Error: "окостенеть без 'ся'". This changes the meaning entirely.
• Misconjugating tenses: Beginners might incorrectly conjugate as "окостеню" instead of "окостеняюсь" in the present. Correct: "Я окостеняюсь" (I am calcifying); Explanation: Russian verbs require agreement with subject and aspect.
• Overusing in non-technical contexts: Learners may apply "окальцифицироваться" metaphorically where "окостенеть" is sufficient, leading to awkward phrasing. Correct: Use simpler synonyms like "закостенеть" for everyday metaphors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, terms like "окостенеть" often carry metaphorical weight in literature and philosophy, symbolizing rigidity or stagnation, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on resilience and adaptation in the face of historical hardships, where "calcification" can metaphorically represent societal or personal inflexibility.

Related Concepts:

• остеопороз (osteoporosis)
• кальций (calcium)
• петрификация (petrification)