Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'consist'

English Word: consist

Key Russian Translations:

• состоять [səsʲtɐˈjatʲ] - [Formal, Used in written and spoken contexts]
• заключаться [zəklʲʊˈtɕatʲsə] - [Formal, Often used in abstract or figurative contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "состоять"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "заключаться"

Pronunciation (Russian):

состоять: [səsʲtɐˈjatʲ]

Note on состоять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "я" is pronounced as a soft "ya" sound.

заключаться: [zəklʲʊˈtɕatʲsə]

Note on заключаться: Stress on the third syllable. The "ч" is a soft "ch" sound, distinct from English.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To be composed of (physical or concrete components)

Translation(s) & Context:

• состоять - Used when referring to the makeup or components of something tangible.

Usage Examples:

• Этот комитет состоит из пяти человек.

  This committee consists of five people.

• Раствор состоит из воды и соли.

  The solution consists of water and salt.

• Наша команда состоит из опытных специалистов.

  Our team consists of experienced specialists.

2. To lie in or be based on (abstract or figurative meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заключаться - Used for abstract concepts like ideas, essence, or purpose.

Usage Examples:

• Смысл жизни может заключаться в простых вещах.

  The meaning of life may consist in simple things.

• Главная проблема заключается в недостатке ресурсов.

  The main problem consists in the lack of resources.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

состоять (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать. It is used with the preposition "из" when indicating components.

заключаться (Verb, Imperfective): This verb also follows regular conjugation but is often used reflexively with -ся. It does not take "из".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "состоять":

• включать
• составлять

Note: "включать" often implies "to include" rather than "to be composed of", while "составлять" can mean "to make up" or "to form".

Synonyms for "заключаться":

• крыться

Antonyms: None directly applicable as "consist" does not have a clear opposite in this context.

Related Phrases:

• состоять в браке - To be married (lit. to consist in marriage).
• состоять на службе - To be in service (e.g., military or official duty).
• заключаться в том, что - To consist in the fact that (used to explain reasons or essence).

Usage Notes:

• "состоять" is more common when referring to physical or tangible compositions and often pairs with the preposition "из" (of). Example: "состоять из частей" (to consist of parts).
• "заключаться" is used for abstract or intangible concepts and often appears in formal or written Russian. It does not use "из". Example: "заключаться в проблеме" (to consist in a problem).
• Choosing between the two depends on context: Use "состоять" for concrete compositions and "заключаться" for abstract meanings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "состоять" without "из" when listing components. Incorrect: "Команда состоит пять человек." Correct: "Команда состоит из пяти человек."
• Error: Confusing "заключаться" with "заключить" (to conclude or to imprison). Explanation: "заключаться" is imperfective and reflexive, used for abstract ideas, while "заключить" is perfective and often means "to finalize" or "to imprison".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the phrase "состоять в браке" (to be married) is a formal way to describe marital status, often seen in official documents. It reflects a cultural tendency to use formal language in bureaucratic contexts.

Related Concepts:

• составлять (to form, to make up)
• включать (to include)
• быть (to be, often used in broader contexts)