Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Combination'

English Word: Combination

Key Russian Translations:

• Комбинация [kəmbʲɪˈnatsɨjə] - [Formal, General Use]
• Сочетание [sətɕɪˈtanʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often Used for Abstract or Figurative Combinations]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

Комбинация: [kəmbʲɪˈnatsɨjə]

Note on Комбинация: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'ц' sound is like 'ts' in 'cats'.

Сочетание: [sətɕɪˈtanʲɪjə]

Note on Сочетание: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'щ' sound is a soft 'shch'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A Mixture or Blend (Physical or Abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Комбинация - Often used for a deliberate or strategic mix, such as in games or plans.
• Сочетание - Commonly used for harmonious or natural blends, like colors or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Это была удачная комбинация ходов в шахматах.

  This was a successful combination of moves in chess.

• Сочетание цветов в этой картине просто идеальное.

  The combination of colors in this painting is simply perfect.

• Комбинация цифр для сейфа должна быть сложной.

  The combination of numbers for the safe should be complex.

• Сочетание традиций и современности делает этот город уникальным.

  The combination of tradition and modernity makes this city unique.

• Мы нашли комбинацию ингредиентов для идеального рецепта.

  We found a combination of ingredients for the perfect recipe.

2. A Set of Items Working Together

Translation(s) & Context:

• Комбинация - Used for a functional or mechanical set, such as a lock combination.

Usage Examples:

• Введите правильную комбинацию, чтобы открыть замок.

  Enter the correct combination to open the lock.

• Эта комбинация клавиш сохраняет документ.

  This key combination saves the document.

• Комбинация факторов привела к успеху проекта.

  A combination of factors led to the project's success.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Комбинация (Feminine Noun): Follows the standard first declension pattern for feminine nouns ending in -я.

Сочетание (Neuter Noun): Follows the standard second declension pattern for neuter nouns ending in -е.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for Комбинация:

• Схема (Scheme, often for strategic combinations)
• Уловка (Trick, in informal or cunning contexts)

Synonyms for Сочетание:

• Смесь (Mixture, for physical blends)
• Гармония (Harmony, for abstract or aesthetic combinations)

Antonyms:

• Разделение (Separation)
• Разобщение (Disconnection)

Related Phrases:

• Комбинация клавиш - Key combination (used in computing contexts).
• Сочетание слов - Combination of words (used for linguistic or stylistic contexts).
• Удачная комбинация - Successful combination (often used for strategies or ideas).

Usage Notes:

• While both "Комбинация" and "Сочетание" can translate to "combination," "Комбинация" often implies a deliberate or functional pairing (like a chess move or a lock code), whereas "Сочетание" is more abstract, often referring to a harmonious blend (like colors or ideas).
• Use "Сочетание" in formal or literary contexts when describing aesthetic or conceptual pairings.
• Be mindful of the grammatical gender: "Комбинация" is feminine, and "Сочетание" is neuter, which affects adjective and verb agreement.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "Комбинация" for abstract or aesthetic pairings.
  Incorrect: Комбинация цветов (Combination of colors).
  Correct: Сочетание цветов.
  Explanation: "Сочетание" is the preferred term for natural or harmonious blends like colors or ideas.
• Error: Incorrect case usage due to gender confusion.
  Incorrect: Удачное комбинация (should be "удачная" as it's feminine).
  Correct: Удачная комбинация.
  Explanation: Always match adjectives to the grammatical gender of the noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the word "Комбинация" can also refer to a type of women's undergarment (a slip or chemise), which might cause confusion in certain contexts. This usage is less common today but may appear in older literature or specific conversations. Always consider the context to avoid misunderstandings.

Related Concepts:

• Соединение (Connection)
• Смесь (Mixture)
• Комплекс (Complex)