Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cleave'

English Word: Cleave

Key Russian Translations:

• раскалывать [rɐskɐˈɫɨvətʲ] - [Formal, Often used for physical splitting]
• расщеплять [rɐɕːɪˈplʲætʲ] - [Formal, Scientific or technical context]
• разделять [rɐzdʲɪˈlʲætʲ] - [Neutral, Often metaphorical for dividing]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts, less common in daily speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "раскалывать" and "разделять"; C1 (Advanced) for "расщеплять" due to technical usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскалывать: [rɐskɐˈɫɨvətʲ]

Note on раскалывать: Stress on the third syllable; the "л" sound is soft, which can be tricky for non-native speakers.

расщеплять: [rɐɕːɪˈplʲætʲ]

Note on расщеплять: The "щ" sound is a long, soft "sh" sound, often challenging for beginners.

разделять: [rɐzdʲɪˈlʲætʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To split or sever (physical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскалывать - Used for splitting wood, stone, or other physical objects.
• расщеплять - Often used in scientific contexts, e.g., splitting atoms or molecules.

Usage Examples:

• Он раскалывал дрова топором.

  He was cleaving wood with an axe.

• Ученые научились расщеплять атомы.

  Scientists have learned to cleave atoms.

• Камень раскололся на две части.

  The stone cleaved into two parts.

2. To divide or separate (metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разделять - Used for dividing groups, opinions, or concepts metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея разделила общество на два лагеря.

  This idea cleaved society into two camps.

• Их мнения разделились по этому вопросу.

  Their opinions were cleaved on this issue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

раскалывать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать. Often paired with perfective form "расколоть".

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (Masculine/Feminine)
1st Singular	раскалываю	раскалывал / раскалывала
3rd Singular	раскалывает	раскалывал / раскалывала
3rd Plural	раскалывают	раскалывали

расщеплять (Verb, Imperfective): Similar to "раскалывать", with perfective form "расщепить".

разделять (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation; perfective form is "разделить".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "раскалывать":

• разбивать
• дробить

Note: "разбивать" often implies breaking into smaller pieces, while "дробить" can suggest crushing.

Antonyms for "разделять":

• объединять
• соединять

Related Phrases:

• раскалывать орех - To cleave/crack a nut (literal).
• разделять и властвовать - To divide and rule (idiomatic, political context).
• расщеплять на части - To cleave into parts (often used in technical contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "раскалывать" is the most common choice for physical splitting, especially in everyday contexts like splitting wood.
• "расщеплять" is more specialized and often appears in scientific or technical discussions.
• "разделять" is broader and frequently used in abstract or metaphorical senses, such as dividing opinions or groups.
• Be mindful of the aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) when using these verbs, as it affects the meaning (ongoing action vs. completed action).

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "раскалывать" in metaphorical contexts. Incorrect: *Эта новость расколола общество.* Correct: Эта новость разделила общество. (Explanation: "раскалывать" is typically physical; use "разделять" for abstract division.)

Error 2: Misusing verb aspects. Incorrect: *Я расколол дрова вчера.* Correct: Я расколол дрова вчера (perfective). (Explanation: Use perfective "расколоть" for completed actions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "разделять" (to divide) often carries historical and political connotations, especially in discussions of societal or ideological splits (e.g., during the Soviet era). Phrases like "разделять и властвовать" (divide and rule) are commonly referenced in literature and political discourse.

Related Concepts:

• разлом
• раскол
• разделение