Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Civilise'

English Word: Civilise

Key Russian Translations:

• цивилизовать [tsivilizovatʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• просвещать [prasʲvʲeˈtʲatʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Often used in cultural or educational contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

цивилизовать: [tsivilizovatʲ]

Note on цивилизовать: Stress falls on the third syllable "zo". The "ts" sound is sharp and distinct in Russian.

просвещать: [prasʲvʲeˈtʲatʲ]

Note on просвещать: Stress on the second syllable "ve". The soft "shch" sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make more developed or culturally advanced

Translation(s) & Context:

• цивилизовать - Used in formal or historical contexts to describe the process of bringing civilization or modern norms to a society.

Usage Examples:

• Империя стремилась цивилизовать отдалённые территории.

  The empire sought to civilize remote territories.

• Мы должны цивилизовать наши методы работы.

  We must civilize our working methods.

• Этот процесс помог цивилизовать общество.

  This process helped to civilize society.

2. To educate or enlighten

Translation(s) & Context:

• просвещать - Often used in the sense of enlightening or educating people culturally or intellectually.

Usage Examples:

• Учителя должны просвещать молодёжь.

  Teachers should enlighten the youth.

• Эта книга призвана просвещать читателей о культуре.

  This book is intended to enlighten readers about culture.

• Мы хотим просвещать общество о важности экологии.

  We want to educate society about the importance of ecology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

цивилизовать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect)

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	цивилизую [tsivilizuyu]
Ты (You, singular informal)	цивилизуешь [tsivilizuyeshʲ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	цивилизует [tsivilizuyet]
Мы (We)	цивилизуем [tsivilizuyem]
Вы (You, plural/formal)	цивилизуете [tsivilizuyete]
Они (They)	цивилизуют [tsivilizuyut]

Note: Perfective form is "оцивилизовать", used for completed actions.

просвещать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect)

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	просвещаю [prasʲvʲeˈshchayu]
Ты (You, singular informal)	просвещаешь [prasʲvʲeˈshchayeshʲ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	просвещает [prasʲvʲeˈshchayet]
Мы (We)	просвещаем [prasʲvʲeˈshchayem]
Вы (You, plural/formal)	просвещаете [prasʲvʲeˈshchayete]
Они (They)	просвещают [prasʲvʲeˈshchayut]

Note: Perfective form is "просветить", used for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for цивилизовать:

• развивать (to develop)
• облагораживать (to refine)

Note: "развивать" is broader, often used for development in general; "облагораживать" implies refinement or ennoblement.

Antonyms for цивилизовать:

• одичать (to become wild)

Synonyms for просвещать:

• образовывать (to educate)
• информировать (to inform)

Antonyms for просвещать:

• затемнять (to obscure)

Related Phrases:

• цивилизовать общество - To civilize a society (used in formal discussions about societal progress).
• просвещать массы - To enlighten the masses (common in historical or educational contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "цивилизовать" is more specific to the concept of bringing civilization or modern norms and is often used in historical or formal contexts. It may carry a colonial connotation in some contexts, so use it cautiously.
• "просвещать" focuses on intellectual or cultural enlightenment and is more neutral, often tied to education or spreading knowledge.
• Both verbs are imperfective in their base form, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. Use their perfective counterparts ("оцивилизовать" and "просветить") for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "цивилизовать" in casual conversation or personal contexts. Wrong: Я хочу цивилизовать тебя. (I want to civilize you.) Correct: This sounds unnatural and condescending; use a different expression like "Я хочу помочь тебе стать лучше" (I want to help you become better) if appropriate.
• Error: Confusing "просвещать" with "освещать" (to illuminate/light up). Wrong: Эта лампа просвещает комнату. Correct: Эта лампа освещает комнату. ("просвещать" is for intellectual enlightenment, not physical light.)

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "civilizing" or "enlightening" in Russian culture often carries historical weight, tied to periods like Peter the Great's reforms or Soviet educational campaigns. "цивилизовать" might evoke discussions of Westernization or modernization, while "просвещать" is linked to the Russian Enlightenment ideals of education and progress.

Related Concepts:

• культура (culture)
• образование (education)
• развитие (development)