Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Conserve'

English Word: conserve

Key Russian Translations:

• сохранять [səxrɐˈnʲætʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective]
• сберегать [sbʲɪrʲɪˈɡætʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• консервировать [kənsʲɪrvʲɪˈrovətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective, Often used for preserving food]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сохранять: [səxrɐˈnʲætʲ]

Note on сохранять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'х' sound is a guttural fricative, unfamiliar to many English speakers.

сберегать: [sbʲɪrʲɪˈɡætʲ]

Note on сберегать: The soft 'б' and rolled 'р' can be challenging for non-native speakers.

консервировать: [kənsʲɪrvʲɪˈrovətʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To keep something safe or prevent loss (e.g., resources, energy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сохранять - Used for preserving intangible things like traditions, energy, or strength.
• сберегать - Often refers to saving tangible resources like money or time.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны сохранять природные ресурсы для будущих поколений.

  We must conserve natural resources for future generations.

• Она умеет сохранять спокойствие в трудных ситуациях.

  She knows how to conserve her calm in difficult situations.

• Старайтесь сберегать энергию, выключая свет.

  Try to conserve energy by turning off the lights.

2. To preserve food or materials

Translation(s) & Context:

• консервировать - Specifically refers to preserving food (e.g., canning) or materials.

Usage Examples:

• Бабушка любит консервировать фрукты на зиму.

  Grandma loves to conserve fruits for the winter.

• Этот метод помогает консервировать древесину от гниения.

  This method helps conserve wood from rotting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сохранять (Imperfective Verb): Regular verb of the 1st conjugation. Below is the present tense conjugation:

сберегать (Imperfective Verb): Similar to сохранять, follows 1st conjugation rules. Past tense and perfective forms (сберечь) may vary.

консервировать (Imperfective Verb): Regular verb of the 2nd conjugation. Check dictionaries for full conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сохранять/сберегать:

• хранить
• беречь

Note: "хранить" often implies storage or keeping, while "беречь" emphasizes protection.

Antonyms for сохранять/сберегать:

• терять
• растрачивать

Related Phrases:

• сохранять традиции - To conserve traditions.
• сберегать силы - To conserve strength/energy.
• консервировать овощи - To conserve vegetables (canning).

Usage Notes:

• "сохранять" is more abstract and often used for concepts like peace, traditions, or emotions, while "сберегать" is more practical, often tied to resources like time or money.
• "консервировать" is highly specific to food preservation or material treatment; it should not be used metaphorically in most contexts.
• Pay attention to the aspect (perfective/imperfective) when using these verbs, as it affects the meaning (e.g., "сохранить" vs. "сохранять").

Common Errors:

• Mixing up сохранять and консервировать: English learners often use "консервировать" for abstract concepts. Incorrect: "консервировать традиции" (wrong); Correct: "сохранять традиции" (to conserve traditions).
• Wrong verb aspect: Using imperfective "сохранять" when a completed action is meant. Incorrect: "Я сохраняю деньги вчера" (wrong); Correct: "Я сохранил деньги вчера" (I conserved money yesterday).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "консервировать" is strongly associated with the tradition of preserving fruits and vegetables for the long winter months, a common practice in many households. This reflects a historical need for self-sufficiency in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• экономить (to save, economize)
• защищать (to protect)
• оберегать (to guard, cherish)