Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Coexist'

English Word: Coexist

Key Russian Translations:

• сосуществовать [səsʊʂˈt͡ɕestvəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective]
• уживаться [ʊʐɨˈvat͡sə] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium (used in discussions of relationships, politics, or ideologies)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

сосуществовать: [səsʊʂˈt͡ɕestvəvətʲ]

Note on сосуществовать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "щ" sound is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian.

уживаться: [ʊʐɨˈvat͡sə]

Note on уживаться: Stress on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To exist together peacefully (often in a societal or ideological context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сосуществовать - Commonly used in formal contexts, such as politics, philosophy, or international relations.

Usage Examples:

• Разные культуры могут сосуществовать в одном обществе.

  Different cultures can coexist in one society.

• Идеологии сосуществовали несмотря на противоречия.

  Ideologies coexisted despite contradictions.

• Мы должны научиться сосуществовать с природой.

  We must learn to coexist with nature.

2. To get along or live together (often in personal or informal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уживаться - Used in informal or personal contexts, often referring to compatibility in relationships or living arrangements.

Usage Examples:

• Они не могут уживаться под одной крышей.

  They can’t coexist under the same roof.

• Ему трудно уживаться с коллегами.

  He finds it hard to coexist with colleagues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сосуществовать (Imperfective Verb): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -овать. It is imperfective, indicating an ongoing or repeated action.

уживаться (Imperfective Verb, Reflexive): This reflexive verb uses the particle -ся and follows regular conjugation for verbs ending in -аться. It implies mutual action or compatibility.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сосуществовать:

• сожительствовать (less common, formal)
• находиться вместе (phrase, neutral)

Synonyms for уживаться:

• ладить (informal, to get along)
• сходиться (informal, to get along or agree)

Antonyms:

• конфликтовать (to conflict)
• враждовать (to be hostile)

Related Phrases:

• сосуществовать мирно - to coexist peacefully (often used in political or social contexts)
• уживаться с кем-то - to get along with someone (used in personal relationships)
• не ужиться в коллективе - to fail to coexist in a group (used for describing social incompatibility)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "сосуществовать" for abstract or formal coexistence (e.g., ideologies, cultures). Use "уживаться" for personal or informal compatibility (e.g., roommates, colleagues).
• Aspect: Both verbs are imperfective, implying ongoing or habitual action. There are no common perfective forms for these verbs in everyday speech.
• Prepositions: "Уживаться" often pairs with "с" (with) when referring to people, e.g., "уживаться с соседями" (to coexist with neighbors).

Common Errors:

• Mixing formality: English learners often use "уживаться" in formal contexts, which sounds inappropriate. Incorrect: "Страны уживались мирно." Correct: "Страны сосуществовали мирно." (Countries coexisted peacefully.)
• Forgetting reflexive particle: Omitting "-ся" in "уживаться" changes the meaning. Incorrect: "Я уживаюсь" as "Я уживаю." Correct: Always include "-ся" for reflexive meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "уживаться" often carries a strong connotation of personal compatibility and mutual compromise, reflecting the importance of community and harmony in interpersonal relationships. The term "сосуществовать," on the other hand, became prominent during the Soviet era, often used in political rhetoric such as "мирное сосуществование" (peaceful coexistence) between different ideologies or states.

Related Concepts:

• мир (peace)
• гармония (harmony)
• конфликт (conflict)