Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Convert'

English Word: Convert

Key Russian Translation(s):

• преобразовать [prʲɪəbrəzɐˈvatʲ] - [Formal, Often used in technical or abstract contexts]
• перевести [pʲɪrʲɪˈvʲesʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly used for currency or language conversion]
• обратить [ɐˈbratʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Often used in religious or ideological contexts]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "перевести" is more common in everyday speech)

Difficulty: преобразовать - B2 (Intermediate); перевести - B1 (Lower Intermediate); обратить - B2 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

преобразовать: [prʲɪəbrəzɐˈvatʲ]

Note on преобразовать: Stress falls on the fourth syllable; the "з" sound is soft due to the following "о".

перевести: [pʲɪrʲɪˈvʲesʲtʲ]

Note on перевести: Stress on the third syllable; the "в" is palatalized before "е".

обратить: [ɐˈbratʲɪtʲ]

Note on обратить: Stress on the second syllable; often used with reflexive forms in certain contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To change form, character, or function (e.g., convert a file, convert energy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• преобразовать - Used for transforming something into a different form, often in technical or abstract contexts (e.g., converting data).

Usage Examples:

• Нам нужно преобразовать данные в другой формат.

  We need to convert the data into another format.

• Эта программа может преобразовать текст в речь.

  This program can convert text to speech.

• Энергию можно преобразовать из одной формы в другую.

  Energy can be converted from one form to another.

2. To exchange or translate (e.g., convert currency, convert text)

Translation(s) & Context:

• перевести - Used for converting money, measurements, or languages.

Usage Examples:

• Можешь перевести эти доллары в рубли?

  Can you convert these dollars into rubles?

• Я перевёл текст с английского на русский.

  I converted (translated) the text from English to Russian.

• Нужно перевести метры в километры.

  We need to convert meters into kilometers.

3. To change beliefs or allegiance (e.g., convert to a religion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обратить - Used in the context of religious or ideological conversion, often with a reflexive form.

Usage Examples:

• Он обратился в христианство в прошлом году.

  He converted to Christianity last year.

• Многие были обращены в новую веру.

  Many were converted to the new faith.

• Её слова обратили меня к новому мышлению.

  Her words converted me to a new way of thinking.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

преобразовать (Verb, Perfective): Follows regular conjugation for perfective verbs of the 2nd conjugation group. Often used with the prefix "пре-".

Person	Present (Imperfective form: преобразовывать)	Past (Perfective)	Future (Perfective)
Я (I)	преобразовываю	преобразовал(а)	преобразую
Ты (You, sing.)	преобразовываешь	преобразовал(а)	преобразуешь
Он/Она (He/She)	преобразовывает	преобразовал(а)	преобразует

перевести (Verb, Perfective): Regular perfective verb of the 2nd conjugation group with prefix "пере-".

обратить (Verb, Perfective): Regular perfective verb, often used reflexively as "обратиться" in the context of personal conversion.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for преобразовать:

• изменить (to change)
• трансформировать (to transform)

Note: "трансформировать" is more formal and often used in scientific contexts compared to "преобразовать".

Synonyms for перевести:

• конвертировать (to convert, often for currency or data)

Synonyms for обратить:

• переубедить (to convince or persuade)

Antonyms: None directly applicable across all meanings.

Related Phrases:

• перевести деньги - Convert/transfer money (e.g., from one currency to another).
• преобразовать систему - Convert/transform a system (e.g., into a new structure).
• обратиться в веру - Convert to a faith (religious context).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "преобразовать", "перевести", and "обратить" depends heavily on context. Use "перевести" for tangible conversions like currency or language, "преобразовать" for abstract or technical transformations, and "обратить" for ideological or religious shifts.
• "перевести" is the most versatile and commonly used in everyday speech.
• Note that Russian verbs often come in imperfective/perfective pairs (e.g., "преобразовывать/преобразовать"), which affects how actions are described in terms of completion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "преобразовать" for currency conversion. Incorrect: "Я преобразовал доллары в рубли." Correct: "Я перевёл доллары в рубли." Explanation: "преобразовать" implies a transformation of form or essence, not a simple exchange.
• Error: Forgetting reflexive forms with "обратиться" in personal conversion contexts. Incorrect: "Я обратить в христианство." Correct: "Я обратился в христианство." Explanation: The reflexive form is necessary when referring to oneself.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "conversion" in a religious sense ("обратиться") carries significant historical weight due to the country’s deep Orthodox Christian roots and periods of ideological shifts (e.g., Soviet era). The term may evoke strong cultural or personal associations.

Related Concepts:

• изменение (change)
• трансформация (transformation)
• перевод (translation)