Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cultivate'

English Word: Cultivate

Key Russian Translations:

• возделывать [vɐzˈdʲelɨvətʲ] - [Formal, Often used for land or crops]
• культивировать [kʊlʲtʲɪˈvʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Scientific or abstract contexts]
• развивать [rɐzʲvʲɪˈvatʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for skills or relationships]

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

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; "возделывать" may be B2 due to specificity, "развивать" is B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возделывать: [vɐzˈdʲelɨvətʲ]

Note on возделывать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "з" is voiced, sounding like "z".

культивировать: [kʊlʲtʲɪˈvʲirəvətʲ]

Note on культивировать: Stress on the third syllable. The soft "тʲ" requires a slight palatalization.

развивать: [rɐzʲvʲɪˈvatʲ]

Note on развивать: Stress on the third syllable. A commonly used verb, easy to pronounce.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To prepare and use land for crops or gardening

Translation(s) & Context:

• возделывать - Used specifically for agricultural contexts, referring to tilling or cultivating soil.

Usage Examples:

• Фермеры возделывают землю для посадки пшеницы.

  Farmers cultivate the land for planting wheat.

• Они возделывали поля многие годы.

  They cultivated the fields for many years.

• Возделывать почву нужно с осторожностью.

  One must cultivate the soil with care.

2. To foster growth or development (e.g., skills, ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• культивировать - Often used in formal or scientific contexts for cultivating ideas, habits, or bacteria.
• развивать - More common and neutral, used for developing skills, relationships, or talents.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны культивировать интерес к науке среди студентов.

  We must cultivate an interest in science among students.

• Ученые культивируют клетки в лаборатории.

  Scientists cultivate cells in the laboratory.

• Она стремится развивать свои творческие способности.

  She strives to cultivate her creative abilities.

• Важно развивать дружеские отношения с коллегами.

  It’s important to cultivate friendly relationships with colleagues.

• Этот курс помогает развивать навыки общения.

  This course helps cultivate communication skills.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All translations are verbs and follow regular conjugation patterns for their respective verb types. Below is an example for развивать (imperfective aspect, first conjugation):

Note: "возделывать" and "культивировать" also follow regular patterns (second conjugation for "культивировать"). Perfective forms (e.g., "развить" for "развивать") exist and imply completion of the action.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "развивать":

• совершенствовать (to improve or perfect)
• укреплять (to strengthen, often for relationships or skills)

Note: "совершенствовать" implies a higher degree of refinement compared to "развивать".

Antonyms for "развивать":

• запускать (to neglect or let deteriorate)
• тормозить (to hinder or slow down)

Related Phrases:

• развивать способности - to cultivate abilities (often used in educational contexts)
• культивировать растения - to cultivate plants (common in gardening or botany)
• возделывать землю - to cultivate the land (specific to farming)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "возделывать", "культивировать", and "развивать" depends heavily on context. "Возделывать" is almost exclusively agricultural, while "культивировать" can be metaphorical or scientific. "Развивать" is the most versatile and common for personal growth or abstract concepts.
• Russian verbs of this type often come in pairs (imperfective/perfective). For example, "развивать" (imperfective) pairs with "развить" (perfective). English learners should note the aspect to convey the intended meaning (ongoing vs. completed action).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "возделывать" for non-agricultural contexts. Incorrect: "Я возделываю свои навыки" (I cultivate my skills). Correct: "Я развиваю свои навыки". Explanation: "Возделывать" is restricted to physical land cultivation.
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect. Incorrect: Using "развить" for an ongoing process. Correct: Use "развивать" for ongoing development (e.g., "Я развиваю навыки", not "Я развил навыки" unless the action is complete).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "cultivating" relationships or personal growth (via "развивать") is highly valued, often tied to the idea of self-improvement and community bonds. Agricultural terms like "возделывать" may evoke a strong historical connection to rural life and Soviet-era collective farming.

Related Concepts:

• рост (growth)
• развитие (development)
• обработка (processing, often of land)