Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Counteract'

English Word: counteract

Key Russian Translations:

• противодействовать [prətʲɪvəˈdʲejstvəvətʲ] - [Formal, Often used in written or official contexts]
• нейтрализовать [nʲɪjtrəlʲɪˈzovatʲ] - [Formal/Technical, Often used in scientific or strategic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and technical discussions)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations due to verb conjugation and contextual nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

противодействовать: [prətʲɪvəˈdʲejstvəvətʲ]

Note on противодействовать: Stress falls on the fourth syllable ("дей"). The "о" in "противо" is pronounced as a reduced "ə" sound.

нейтрализовать: [nʲɪjtrəlʲɪˈzovatʲ]

Note on нейтрализовать: Stress on the third syllable ("ли"). The "е" is pronounced as "ye".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To oppose or act against something (general sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• противодействовать - Used to describe opposition to actions, policies, or forces in a broad sense.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны противодействовать коррупции на всех уровнях.

  We must counteract corruption at all levels.

• Правительство противодействует экономическому спаду.

  The government is counteracting the economic downturn.

• Его усилия противодействовать изменениям были напрасны.

  His efforts to counteract the changes were in vain.

2. To neutralize or nullify an effect (specific/technical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нейтрализовать - Used in contexts of nullifying effects, such as in chemistry, medicine, or military strategy.

Usage Examples:

• Это лекарство нейтрализует действие токсина.

  This medicine counteracts the effect of the toxin.

• Армия нейтрализовала угрозу на границе.

  The army counteracted the threat at the border.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

противодействовать (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -овать. It is imperfective, indicating an ongoing or repeated action. Below is the present tense conjugation:

нейтрализовать (Verb, Perfective/Imperfective pair): This verb can be used in both aspects depending on context. The imperfective form is "нейтрализовывать". It also follows regular conjugation for -овать verbs. Perfective forms indicate a completed action.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for противодействовать:

• сопротивляться (more general resistance)
• препятствовать (to hinder or obstruct)

Synonyms for нейтрализовать:

• обезвреживать (to disarm or neutralize a threat)
• устранять (to eliminate)

Antonyms for both:

• способствовать (to facilitate)
• поддерживать (to support)

Related Phrases:

• противодействовать изменениям - to counteract changes (used in discussions of reform or policy).
• нейтрализовать опасность - to counteract danger (common in security or safety contexts).
• противодействовать внешним угрозам - to counteract external threats (often in political or military contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Both Russian translations are formal in tone and are rarely used in casual conversation. Choose "противодействовать" for general opposition to actions or ideas, and "нейтрализовать" for specific neutralization of effects or threats.
• Pay attention to aspect: "противодействовать" is always imperfective (ongoing action), while "нейтрализовать" (perfective) implies a completed action. Use "нейтрализовывать" (imperfective) for ongoing processes.
• These verbs often require a dative case object to indicate what is being counteracted (e.g., "противодействовать коррупции" - to counteract corruption).

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Aspect Usage: English speakers often mix up aspects. For example, using "противодействовать" when a completed action is implied. Correct: "Мы нейтрализовали угрозу" (We counteracted the threat - completed). Incorrect: "Мы противодействовали угрозу."
• Case Errors: Failing to use the dative case after these verbs. Correct: "противодействовать чему-то" (to counteract something). Incorrect: "противодействовать что-то."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, terms like "противодействовать" are often associated with bureaucratic or official language, frequently appearing in news reports, political speeches, or legal texts. "нейтрализовать" may carry a military or scientific connotation, often used in contexts of conflict or problem-solving.

Related Concepts:

• сопротивление (resistance)
• защита (defense)
• препятствие (obstacle)