Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'copulate'

English Word: copulate

Key Russian Translations:

• копулировать [kɐ.pu.lʲɪ.'ra.vatʲ] - [Formal, Biological or scientific context]
• спариваться [spa.'rʲi.vat͡sə] - [Informal, Typically used for animals or in less formal discussions]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more prevalent in scientific, medical, or educational contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with formal vocabulary and verb conjugations. For "спариваться", it may also be B2 due to its contextual usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

копулировать: [kɐ.pu.lʲɪ.'ra.vatʲ]

спариваться: [spa.'rʲi.vat͡sə]

Note on копулировать: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ra), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'l' sound. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Biological or Formal Meaning: To engage in sexual intercourse (typically in scientific or animal contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• копулировать - Used in formal, academic, or medical settings to describe reproductive processes in biology.
• спариваться - Applied in informal or zoological contexts, often for animals, to avoid direct human implications.

Usage Examples:

• В природе многие животные копулируют только в определенное время года.

  In nature, many animals copulate only at certain times of the year.

• Ученые изучают, как насекомые спариваются для продолжения рода.

  Scientists study how insects copulate to continue their species.

• В биологии термин "копулировать" используется для описания процесса размножения.

  In biology, the term "copulate" is used to describe the reproduction process.

• Животные в зоопарке спариваются под строгим контролем ветеринаров.

  Animals in the zoo copulate under strict veterinary control.

• Копулировать – это естественный процесс, но в научных текстах он описывается объективно.

  Copulating is a natural process, but in scientific texts, it is described objectively.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Копулировать" is a first-conjugation verb (infinitive ends in -овать), while "спариваться" is a reflexive verb (ends in -аться). Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, mood, person, and number. Below is a conjugation table for each:

For "копулировать" (to copulate):

For "спариваться" (to copulate, reflexive):

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms, but reflexive verbs like "спариваться" require the particle "-ся" in all forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • иметь половые отношения (to have sexual relations) - More neutral and common in everyday language.
  • сочетаться (to unite, in a biological sense) - Less direct, often used euphemistically.
• Antonyms:
  • воздерживаться (to abstain) - Implies avoiding sexual activity.
  • избегать (to avoid) - In contexts of reproduction or intimacy.

Related Phrases:

• Процесс копуляции в природе (The process of copulation in nature) - Refers to natural reproductive behaviors.
• Спариваться с партнером (To copulate with a partner) - Used in discussions of animal mating.
• Иметь половые контакты (To have sexual contacts) - A broader phrase for intimate relations, with a more human-focused connotation.

Usage Notes:

"Copulate" translates most directly to "копулировать" in formal or scientific Russian, but English speakers should note that this term is rarely used in casual conversation due to its clinical nature. Opt for "спариваться" when discussing animals to maintain appropriateness. In human contexts, Russian often employs euphemisms or more descriptive phrases to avoid directness, especially in polite society. Be cautious with verb aspects: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective for completed ones, though "copulate" doesn't have a direct perfective counterpart. When choosing between translations, select based on context—formal vs. informal—to ensure natural usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "копулировать" in everyday human contexts, e.g., saying "Мы копулируем" instead of a more natural phrase like "Мы имеем интимные отношения".

  Correct: "Мы вступаем в интимные отношения". Explanation: "Копулировать" sounds overly clinical and may come across as awkward or insensitive in social settings.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle in "спариваться", e.g., saying "спаривать" which is incorrect.

  Correct: "Животные спариваются". Explanation: As a reflexive verb, it must include "-ся" to indicate the action is performed on oneself or mutually.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussions of topics like copulation are often more reserved than in some English-speaking contexts, especially in public or mixed company. Terms like "копулировать" are confined to scientific literature, reflecting a cultural emphasis on decorum in personal matters. Historically, Soviet-era education emphasized biological aspects without taboo, but modern usage leans toward euphemisms in daily life to align with social norms.

Related Concepts:

• размножение (reproduction)
• половые отношения (sexual relations)
• брак (marriage, in a broader relational context)