Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'colonize'

English Word: colonize

Key Russian Translations:

• колонизировать [kələnʲɪˈzʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• осваивать [ɐsˈvaɪvətʲ] - [Neutral, Often Used for Settlement or Development]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

колонизировать: [kələnʲɪˈzʲirəvətʲ]

Note on колонизировать: Stress falls on the fourth syllable ("zi"). The "р" sound is rolled, typical of Russian pronunciation.

осваивать: [ɐsˈvaɪvətʲ]

Note on осваивать: Stress on the second syllable ("vai"). The initial "о" is reduced to a schwa sound [ɐ] due to unstressed position.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To establish a colony in a new territory

Translation(s) & Context:

• колонизировать - Used in historical or political contexts to describe the act of establishing control over a territory by a foreign power.

Usage Examples:

• Европейские державы начали колонизировать Африку в XIX веке.

  European powers began to colonize Africa in the 19th century.

• Испания колонизировала большую часть Латинской Америки.

  Spain colonized much of Latin America.

• Этот регион был колонизирован британцами более двух веков назад.

  This region was colonized by the British over two centuries ago.

2. To settle or develop a new area

Translation(s) & Context:

• осваивать - Used for settling or developing new lands, often with a focus on adaptation or exploration rather than political control.

Usage Examples:

• Люди начали осваивать северные территории в поисках ресурсов.

  People began to colonize (settle) northern territories in search of resources.

• Мы должны осваивать новые земли для сельского хозяйства.

  We must colonize (develop) new lands for agriculture.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

колонизировать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect): Regular verb of the second conjugation. Below is the present tense conjugation:

осваивать (Verb, Imperfective Aspect): Also a regular verb of the second conjugation. Follows similar conjugation patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for колонизировать:

• завоевывать (to conquer - more aggressive tone)
• оккупировать (to occupy - often military context)

Synonyms for осваивать:

• обживать (to settle - more domestic tone)
• развивать (to develop - broader usage)

Antonyms:

• освобождать (to liberate - opposite of colonizing)
• покидать (to abandon - opposite of settling)

Related Phrases:

• колонизировать территорию - "to colonize a territory" (political or historical control)
• осваивать новые земли - "to colonize new lands" (focus on settlement and development)
• колониальная политика - "colonial policy" (refers to governmental strategies for colonization)

Usage Notes:

• "колонизировать" is more formal and typically used in historical or political contexts to imply control or dominance over a territory by a foreign power.
• "осваивать" is more neutral and often refers to the process of settling or developing a new area, without necessarily implying political control.
• Both verbs are imperfective, meaning they describe an ongoing or repeated action. For a completed action, perfective forms like "сколонизировать" or "освоить" may be used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "колонизировать" when referring to personal settlement or exploration.
  Incorrect: Я хочу колонизировать Сибирь. (I want to colonize Siberia.)
  Correct: Я хочу осваивать Сибирь. (I want to settle/develop Siberia.)
  Explanation: "колонизировать" implies political or imperial control, not personal settlement.
• Error: Ignoring aspectual differences and using imperfective forms for completed actions.
  Incorrect: Они колонизируют Америку в XVI веке.
  Correct: Они сколонизировали Америку в XVI веке. (using perfective form for a completed historical action)

Cultural Notes:

The concept of colonization, particularly through the term "колонизировать," carries heavy historical connotations in Russian, often associated with the expansion of the Russian Empire or European colonial powers. On the other hand, "осваивать" is frequently used in the context of Soviet-era narratives about "mastering" or developing remote regions like Siberia or the Far North, reflecting a sense of pioneering spirit.

Related Concepts:

• империя (empire)
• экспансия (expansion)
• поселение (settlement)
• развитие (development)