Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'coagulate'

English Word: coagulate

Key Russian Translations:

• свертываться [svɨrˈtɨvət͡sə] - [Formal, used in scientific or medical contexts]
• коагулировать [kəˌɑːɡjʊˈleɪt] - [Technical, often in chemistry or biology]
• сгущаться [sɡuˈʂat͡sə] - [Informal, everyday language for thickening]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in scientific, medical, or technical discussions, but not in casual everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and reflexive forms, which can be challenging for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

свертываться: [svɨrˈtɨvət͡sə]

коагулировать: [kəˌɑːɡjʊˈleɪt] (note the influence of English loanwords, with stress on the third syllable)

сгущаться: [sɡuˈʂat͡sə] (the 'щ' sound is a soft, hissing fricative, which may be difficult for non-native speakers)

Note on свертываться: This word involves a reflexive particle '-ся', which affects pronunciation in rapid speech; ensure the 'т' is not aspirated.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To change from a liquid to a solid state, often through clotting or thickening (e.g., in blood, milk, or chemicals)

Translation(s) & Context:

• свертываться - Used in formal or medical contexts, such as describing blood clotting during injury.
• коагулировать - Applied in technical settings, like laboratory processes or scientific reports.
• сгущаться - Common in everyday contexts, such as cooking or describing natural processes.

Usage Examples:

• Кровь начинает сворачиваться, чтобы остановить кровотечение.

  Blood begins to coagulate to stop the bleeding. (This example shows the verb in a medical emergency context.)

• В химической реакции молоко сгущается под действием кислоты.

  In the chemical reaction, milk coagulates under the influence of acid. (Illustrates use in a scientific or culinary setting.)

• При низкой температуре вода коагулирует в лед.

  At low temperatures, water coagulates into ice. (Demonstrates the technical verb in a physical process.)

• Соус должен сгущаться на медленном огне, чтобы не подгореть.

  The sauce needs to coagulate on low heat to avoid burning. (Shows informal usage in cooking.)

• В пробирке кровь сворачивается за несколько минут.

  In the test tube, blood coagulates within a few minutes. (Highlights reflexive verb in a lab context.)

2. Figurative use: To solidify or stabilize abstract concepts (less common, metaphorical extension)

Translation(s) & Context:

• свертываться - Rarely used metaphorically, e.g., in discussions of ideas "solidifying."
• коагулировать - Not typically used figuratively.

Usage Examples:

• Идеи в его уме начали сворачиваться в coherent план.

  Ideas in his mind began to coagulate into a coherent plan. (Metaphorical use in creative or intellectual contexts.)

• Сгущаясь, эмоции превращаются в действие.

  Emotions coagulate into action. (Informal, poetic expression.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Свертываться" and "сгущаться" are imperfective reflexive verbs, while "коагулировать" is a perfective verb often used in its infinitive or conjugated forms.

Note: These verbs are irregular in their reflexive forms; "свертываться" remains unchanged in its base but conjugates fully. If the verb is not reflexive, it may not inflect in the same way.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сгущаться (similar to thicken, but more general)
  • Застывать (to solidify, often used for freezing)
  • Складываться (to fold or come together, in metaphorical senses)
• Antonyms:
  • Разжижаться (to liquefy)
  • Растекаться (to spread out or dissolve)

For synonyms, note that "сгущаться" is less formal than "свертываться" and may imply a slower process.

Related Phrases:

• Кровь сворачивается - Blood coagulates (common in medical contexts; refers to clotting to prevent blood loss).
• Сгусток крови - Blood clot (a fixed phrase for the result of coagulation).
• При коагуляции белков - Upon protein coagulation (used in scientific discussions; explains chemical processes).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "coagulate" translations like "свертываться" are often used in reflexive forms, which emphasize the process happening to the subject itself. Choose "коагулировать" for technical precision in scientific writing, as it directly borrows from English roots. "Сгущаться" is more versatile for everyday scenarios but may not convey the exact medical nuance. Be mindful of aspect: imperfective forms (like "свертываться") describe ongoing actions, while perfective counterparts (e.g., "свернуть") indicate completion. In formal contexts, pair with prepositions like "под действием" (under the influence of) for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "свертываться" interchangeably with "коагулировать" in non-technical contexts. Correct: "Свертываться" is better for biological processes, while "коагулировать" suits lab settings. Example of error: *Кофе коагулирует в чашке* (incorrect mixing of terms); Correct: Кофе сгущается в чашке.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle "-ся" in "свертываться", leading to "свертывать" (which means to cause coagulation). Correct: Always include "-ся" for the intransitive sense. Example of error: *Кровь сворачивает* (implies active causing); Correct: Кровь сворачивается.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, terms like "свертываться" are often linked to medical and scientific advancements, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on biology and chemistry (e.g., in the works of scientists like Pavlov). This word doesn't carry strong cultural idioms but is prevalent in health-related folklore, such as traditional remedies for blood clotting in rural areas.

Related Concepts:

• Тромбоз (thrombosis)
• Кровотечение (bleeding)
• Химическая реакция (chemical reaction)