Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'deaden'

English Word: deaden

Key Russian Translations:

• приглушить [prʲɪɡlʊˈʂɨtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Often used for sound or emotions]
• ослабить [ɐsɫɐˈbʲitʲ] - [Formal, Often used for strength or impact]
• затупить [zɐtʊˈpʲitʲ] - [Informal, Often used for senses or tools]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts rather than everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate - varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

приглушить: [prʲɪɡlʊˈʂɨtʲ]

Note on приглушить: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "ш" sound is a soft hissing sound unique to Russian.

ослабить: [ɐsɫɐˈbʲitʲ]

Note on ослабить: Stress on the third syllable; the "б" is softened by the following soft sign "ь".

затупить: [zɐtʊˈpʲitʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make less loud or intense (e.g., sound, pain, emotions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• приглушить - Commonly used for reducing sound or emotional intensity (e.g., muffling noise or dulling feelings).

Usage Examples:

• Она приглушила музыку, чтобы не мешать соседям.

  She deadened the music so as not to disturb the neighbors.

• Его слова приглушали мою боль.

  His words deadened my pain.

• Нужно приглушить свет в комнате.

  We need to deaden the light in the room.

2. To weaken or reduce strength (e.g., impact, force)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ослабить - Used for reducing strength, effect, or intensity (e.g., weakening a blow or effect).

Usage Examples:

• Подушка ослабит удар при падении.

  The pillow will deaden the impact of the fall.

• Лекарство ослабило боль в спине.

  The medicine deadened the pain in my back.

3. To dull or make less sharp (e.g., senses, tools)

Translation(s) & Context:

• затупить - Often used for dulling senses or making tools less sharp.

Usage Examples:

• Алкоголь затупил его чувства.

  Alcohol deadened his senses.

• Этот камень затупил нож.

  This stone deadened the knife.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

приглушить (Verb, Perfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for perfective verbs in Russian. It is often paired with its imperfective counterpart "приглушать" for ongoing actions.

Person	Present (Imperfective: приглушать)	Past (Perfective: приглушить)
Я (I)	приглушаю	приглушил(а)
Ты (You, informal)	приглушаешь	приглушил(а)
Он/Она (He/She)	приглушает	приглушил(а)

ослабить (Verb, Perfective): Follows similar perfective conjugation patterns, paired with "ослаблять" (imperfective).

затупить (Verb, Perfective): Also a perfective verb, paired with "затуплять" (imperfective), with regular conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for приглушить:

• заглушить (to muffle, often stronger)
• унять (to subdue, often for emotions)

Antonyms for приглушить:

• усилить (to intensify)
• повысить (to increase)

Related Phrases:

• приглушить голос - to lower one's voice (used when speaking quietly).
• ослабить давление - to deaden the pressure (used in physical or metaphorical contexts).
• затупить чувства - to deaden feelings (used for emotional numbness).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "приглушить", "ослабить", and "затупить" depends on the context. Use "приглушить" for sounds or emotions, "ослабить" for strength or impact, and "затупить" for senses or sharpness.
• These verbs are often perfective, implying a completed action. For ongoing actions, use their imperfective forms (e.g., "приглушать").
• Be mindful of formality: "ослабить" is more formal than "затупить".

Common Errors:

1. Mixing up translations: English learners often use "приглушить" when "ослабить" is more appropriate for physical impact. For example, saying "приглушить удар" (incorrect) instead of "ослабить удар" (correct: to deaden the blow).

2. Aspect errors: Using perfective verbs like "приглушить" in contexts requiring ongoing action. Incorrect: "Я приглушить музыку каждый день." Correct: "Я приглушаю музыку каждый день" (I deaden the music every day).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "deadening" emotions or sounds with "приглушить" often carries a nuanced cultural weight, reflecting a tendency to value restraint or subtlety in emotional expression in formal or public settings.

Related Concepts:

• успокоить (to calm)
• смягчить (to soften)
• уменьшить (to reduce)