Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Canvass'

English Word: Canvass

Key Russian Translations:

• опрос [ˈoprəs] - [Formal, Noun]
• обходить [ɐbˈxodʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used in context of door-to-door surveys]
• агитировать [ɐɡʲɪˈtʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used in political campaigning]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "опрос"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "обходить" and "агитировать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

опрос: [ˈoprəs]

Note on опрос: Stress falls on the first syllable, which is typical for many Russian nouns.

обходить: [ɐbˈxodʲɪtʲ]

Note on обходить: The stress is on the second syllable; the verb often softens the 'д' sound in spoken language.

агитировать: [ɐɡʲɪˈtʲirəvətʲ]

Note on агитировать: Stress on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled distinctly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To seek opinions or votes (e.g., in surveys or elections)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опрос - Used for formal surveys or polls, often in written or official contexts.
• обходить - Refers to physically going door-to-door to gather opinions or votes.
• агитировать - Used specifically for campaigning or persuading voters in political contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Мы провели опрос среди студентов о качестве обучения.

  We conducted a survey among students about the quality of education.

• Кандидаты обходят дома, чтобы собрать подписи.

  The candidates are canvassing houses to collect signatures.

• Они агитируют за своего лидера перед выборами.

  They are canvassing for their leader before the elections.

• Волонтёры обходили район, чтобы узнать мнение жителей.

  Volunteers canvassed the neighborhood to find out the residents' opinions.

• Этот опрос показал, что большинство против изменений.

  This poll showed that the majority are against the changes.

2. To discuss or examine thoroughly (less common)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обсуждать - Used for discussing or examining a topic in detail, though not a direct translation of "canvass."

Usage Examples:

• Мы обсудили все возможные варианты решения проблемы.

  We canvassed all possible solutions to the problem.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

опрос (Noun, Masculine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	опрос	опросы
Genitive	опроса	опросов
Dative	опросу	опросам
Accusative	опрос	опросы
Instrumental	опросом	опросами
Prepositional	об опросе	об опросах

обходить (Verb, Imperfective): Conjugates regularly in present, past, and future tenses. Key forms include "обхожу" (I canvass), "обходил" (past masculine), "обходят" (they canvass).

агитировать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows regular conjugation patterns. Key forms include "агитирую" (I campaign), "агитировал" (past masculine), "агитируют" (they campaign).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for опрос:

• анкетирование (more formal, refers to questionnaires)
• исследование (broader term for research or survey)

Synonyms for агитировать:

• пропагандировать (closer to propagandize, stronger tone)
• убеждать (to persuade, more general)

Antonyms: None directly applicable for primary meanings.

Related Phrases:

• проводить опрос - To conduct a survey.
• обходить избирателей - To canvass voters (door-to-door).
• агитировать за кандидата - To campaign for a candidate.

Usage Notes:

• "опрос" is the most neutral and common term for surveys or polls, suitable for formal and written contexts.
• "обходить" implies a physical action of going around, often used for door-to-door canvassing, and is more informal.
• "агитировать" is specifically tied to political or persuasive contexts and should not be used for neutral surveys.
• Be mindful of verb aspects in Russian: "обходить" (imperfective) refers to the ongoing process, while its perfective form "обойти" implies completion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "агитировать" for neutral surveys. Incorrect: "Мы агитируем мнение людей о продукте." Correct: "Мы проводим опрос о мнении людей о продукте." (Explanation: "агитировать" implies persuasion, not neutral inquiry.)
• Error: Misusing verb aspect with "обходить." Incorrect: "Я обошёл район вчера" when the process is ongoing. Correct: "Я обходил район вчера." (Explanation: Use imperfective for ongoing or repeated actions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, canvassing for political purposes ("агитировать") has historical connotations tied to Soviet-era propaganda. The term may carry a stronger or more formal tone compared to neutral polling ("опрос"). Door-to-door canvassing ("обходить") is less common in modern Russia outside of election periods.

Related Concepts:

• выборы (elections)
• голосование (voting)
• анкета (questionnaire)