Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'construct'

English Word: construct

Key Russian Translations:

• строить [ˈstroɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used for building or creating something]
• конструировать [kənstruˈɪrəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Often used in technical or design contexts]
• создавать [səzˈdavatʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Broad usage for creating or constructing ideas]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "строить" and "создавать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "конструировать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

строить: [ˈstroɪtʲ]

Note on строить: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'о' sounds like 'o' in "core."

конструировать: [kənstruˈɪrəvətʲ]

Note on конструировать: Stress on the third syllable; a more complex word with a formal tone.

создавать: [səzˈdavatʲ]

Note on создавать: Stress on the second syllable; often used metaphorically.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To build something physical (e.g., a building or structure)

Translation(s) & Context:

• строить - Used for constructing buildings, roads, or tangible objects.

Usage Examples:

• Мы строим новый дом в деревне.

  We are constructing a new house in the village.

• Они строят мост через реку.

  They are constructing a bridge over the river.

• Строить планы на будущее - это важно.

  Constructing plans for the future is important.

2. To design or create something technical or abstract (e.g., a machine or idea)

Translation(s) & Context:

• конструировать - Often used in engineering or design contexts.
• создавать - Broadly used for creating or constructing concepts or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Инженеры конструируют новый самолет.

  Engineers are constructing a new airplane.

• Он создает теорию для объяснения феномена.

  He is constructing a theory to explain the phenomenon.

• Мы создаем образ будущего в наших умах.

  We are constructing an image of the future in our minds.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

строить (Verb, Imperfective): Regular verb with standard conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses.

конструировать (Verb, Imperfective): Similar regular conjugation but less commonly used in everyday speech.

создавать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation; often paired with abstract objects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for строить:

• возводить (more formal, often for large structures)
• созидать (literary, for creating or building)

Antonyms for строить:

• разрушать (to destroy)
• ломать (to break)

Related Phrases:

• строить планы - "to make plans" (often for the future)
• конструировать машину - "to construct a machine" (technical context)
• создавать условия - "to create conditions" (often abstract or situational)

Usage Notes:

• "строить" is the most common and versatile term for physical construction but can also be used metaphorically (e.g., "build plans").
• "конструировать" is more specific to technical or design-related contexts and sounds formal.
• "создавать" is broader and often applies to abstract or creative construction, like ideas or theories.
• Choose the translation based on context: use "строить" for tangible objects, "конструировать" for technical designs, and "создавать" for abstract concepts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "конструировать" for everyday building activities.
  Incorrect: Я конструирую дом. (I construct a house - sounds overly formal and odd.)
  Correct: Я строю дом. (I am building a house.)
  Explanation: "конструировать" is reserved for specialized or technical creation.
• Error: Using "создавать" for physical construction.
  Incorrect: Мы создаем мост. (We create a bridge - sounds unnatural.)
  Correct: Мы строим мост. (We are building a bridge.)
  Explanation: "создавать" is better for abstract creation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the verb "строить" often carries a sense of hard work and perseverance, especially in historical contexts like Soviet-era construction projects (e.g., "строительство коммунизма" - building communism). Using it metaphorically for plans or relationships can imply a deliberate, thoughtful effort.

Related Concepts:

• строительство (construction as a process)
• проектирование (designing)
• созидание (creation, often poetic)