Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Combine'

English Word: Combine

Key Russian Translations:

• комбинировать [kəmbʲɪˈnʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Verb]
• объединять [ɐbʲɪdʲɪˈnʲætʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Often used for uniting concepts or groups]
• сочетать [sɐt͡ɕɪˈtatʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Verb, Often used for blending ideas or qualities]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both spoken and written contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by specific translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

комбинировать: [kəmbʲɪˈnʲirəvətʲ]

Note on комбинировать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a short "i" sound.

объединять: [ɐbʲɪdʲɪˈnʲætʲ]

Note on объединять: Stress on the fourth syllable. The "я" is a distinct "ya" sound.

сочетать: [sɐt͡ɕɪˈtatʲ]

Note on сочетать: Stress on the second syllable. The "ч" is a soft "ch" sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To mix or blend together (physical or abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• комбинировать - Used for combining elements, often in creative or practical contexts (e.g., combining ingredients or ideas).
• сочетать - Often implies a harmonious or intentional blending (e.g., combining colors or traits).

Usage Examples:

• Она любит комбинировать разные стили в одежде.

  She loves to combine different styles in clothing.

• Нужно сочетать усилия для достижения цели.

  It is necessary to combine efforts to achieve the goal.

• Мы комбинируем традиционные и современные методы.

  We combine traditional and modern methods.

2. To unite or join (groups, organizations, or concepts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• объединять - Used for uniting people, ideas, or entities into a single whole.

Usage Examples:

• Эта идея объединяет людей разных культур.

  This idea combines (unites) people from different cultures.

• Мы должны объединить наши ресурсы для успеха.

  We must combine our resources for success.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

комбинировать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in the first conjugation group. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Person	Form
Я (I)	комбинирую
Ты (You, singular)	комбинируешь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	комбинирует
Мы (We)	комбинируем
Вы (You, plural)	комбинируете
Они (They)	комбинируют

объединять (Verb, Imperfective): Also first conjugation, follows similar patterns. Perfective form: объединить.

сочетать (Verb, Imperfective): First conjugation, regular. Perfective form: сочетить (less common).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for комбинировать/сочетать/объединять:

• соединять (to connect)
• смешивать (to mix, blend)
• сплачивать (to unite, rally)

Note: "соединять" often implies a physical connection, while "сплачивать" is more emotional or social.

Antonyms:

• разделять (to divide)
• разъединять (to disconnect)

Related Phrases:

• комбинировать подходы - to combine approaches (used in problem-solving contexts)
• объединять усилия - to combine efforts (common in teamwork or collaboration)
• сочетать несочетаемое - to combine the incompatible (idiomatic, often used creatively)

Usage Notes:

• "комбинировать" is the most versatile translation for "combine," suitable for both tangible and abstract combinations, though it can sound slightly technical.
• "объединять" is preferred when emphasizing unity or bringing together disparate groups or concepts; it often carries a formal tone.
• "сочетать" implies a deliberate or harmonious combination and is often used in artistic or stylistic contexts.
• Pay attention to aspect (perfective vs. imperfective) when using these verbs, as it affects the meaning (e.g., "объединить" for a completed action vs. "объединять" for an ongoing process).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "комбинировать" in contexts where "объединять" is more appropriate (e.g., uniting people). Incorrect: "Комбинировать людей для проекта." Correct: "Объединять людей для проекта." (Unite people for a project.)
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect, leading to incorrect temporal meaning. Incorrect: "Я объединяю команду вчера." Correct: "Я объединил команду вчера." (I united the team yesterday.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "combining" or "uniting" (especially with "объединять") often carries a strong cultural resonance due to historical emphasis on collective effort and unity, such as during Soviet times. Phrases like "объединять усилия" (combine efforts) are frequently used in motivational or communal contexts.

Related Concepts:

• сотрудничество (collaboration)
• единство (unity)
• синергия (synergy)