Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'constitute'

English Word: constitute

Key Russian Translations:

• составлять [sɐˈstavlʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Commonly used in writing and speech]
• образовывать [ɐbrɐˈzovɨvɐtʲ] - [Formal, Often used in legal or academic contexts]
• являться [jɪˈvlʲætʲsə] - [Neutral, Used for equivalence or identity]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently used in formal and academic contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate, varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

составлять: [sɐˈstavlʲɪtʲ]

Note on составлять: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "л" is palatalized, which is a common challenge for non-native speakers.

образовывать: [ɐbrɐˈzovɨvɐtʲ]

Note on образовывать: Stress on the third syllable; the "ы" sound is distinct from "и" and often mispronounced by learners.

являться: [jɪˈvlʲætʲsə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To form or make up (a whole or part)

Translation(s) & Context:

• составлять - Used when referring to components forming a whole, often in statistical or structural contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Эти элементы составляют основу системы.

  These elements constitute the basis of the system.

• Молодёжь составляет значительную часть населения.

  Young people constitute a significant part of the population.

• Этот документ составляет важное доказательство.

  This document constitutes important evidence.

2. To establish or create (e.g., a group or entity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• образовывать - Used in formal contexts to imply the creation or formation of an entity.

Usage Examples:

• Эти страны образовали союз для защиты интересов.

  These countries constituted an alliance to protect their interests.

• Комитет был образован для решения проблемы.

  The committee was constituted to address the issue.

3. To be considered as or equivalent to

Translation(s) & Context:

• являться - Used to indicate equivalence or identity, often in formal or neutral contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Это решение является нарушением правил.

  This decision constitutes a violation of the rules.

• Такие действия являются угрозой безопасности.

  Such actions constitute a threat to security.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	составляю [sɐˈstavlʲɪju]	составляем [sɐˈstavlʲɪjɪm]
2nd	составляешь [sɐˈstavlʲɪjɪʃ]	составляете [sɐstavlʲɪˈjɪtʲɪ]
3rd	составляет [sɐˈstavlʲɪjɪt]	составляют [sɐˈstavlʲɪjut]

образовывать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows similar first conjugation rules. Perfective form: "образовать".

являться (Verb, Imperfective): Reflexive verb, often used with instrumental case to indicate equivalence.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for составлять:

• формировать (to form, often used interchangeably in formal contexts)
• представлять (to represent, when used in the sense of "making up")

Antonyms for составлять:

• разбирать (to disassemble, take apart)

Related Phrases:

• составлять план - to constitute/make a plan (to draft or create a plan)
• образовывать коалицию - to constitute a coalition (to form a political or strategic group)
• являться примером - to constitute an example (to serve as an example)

Usage Notes:

• "составлять" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "constitute" when referring to forming or making up a whole. It is suitable for both tangible and abstract contexts.
• "образовывать" is more specific to the act of creation or establishment, often used in formal, legal, or organizational contexts.
• "являться" is used to express equivalence ("to be considered as") and often pairs with the instrumental case in Russian grammar.
• Be mindful of aspect: "составлять" and "образовывать" are imperfective, but perfective forms like "составить" and "образовать" exist for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect case usage with являться: Learners often forget to use the instrumental case after "являться". Incorrect: "Это является проблема" (nominative). Correct: "Это является проблемой" (instrumental).
• Overusing составлять: English speakers may overuse "составлять" in contexts where "являться" would be more natural, especially when indicating equivalence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the verb "образовывать" often carries a connotation of formal or deliberate creation, reflecting the language's emphasis on structure and hierarchy in organizational contexts, especially in historical or political discourse.

Related Concepts:

• формировать (to form)
• создавать (to create)
• представлять (to represent)