Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'defend'

English Word: defend

Key Russian Translations:

• защищать [zɐˈɕːitʲɐtʲ] - [General, Formal/Informal]
• отстаивать [ɐtˈstɐɪvɐtʲ] - [Often used for defending ideas or opinions, Formal]
• оборонять [ɐbɐˈronʲɐtʲ] - [Military or physical defense, Formal]

Frequency: High (especially "защищать")

Difficulty: B1 (Beginner-Intermediate for "защищать"); B2 (Intermediate for "отстаивать" and "оборонять")

Pronunciation (Russian):

защищать: [zɐˈɕːitʲɐtʲ]

Note on защищать: Pay attention to the soft "щ" sound, which is distinct in Russian and often challenging for non-native speakers.

отстаивать: [ɐtˈstɐɪvɐtʲ]

оборонять: [ɐbɐˈronʲɐtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To protect from harm or danger (physical or abstract)

Translation(s) & Context:

• защищать - Used for protecting someone or something in a general sense (e.g., defending a person, rights, or territory).
• оборонять - Primarily used in military contexts or for physical defense of a place.

Usage Examples:

• Он защищал свою семью от опасности.

  He defended his family from danger.

• Солдаты обороняли город от врагов.

  The soldiers defended the city from enemies.

2. To support or argue in favor of (ideas, opinions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отстаивать - Commonly used when defending an opinion, position, or belief.
• защищать - Can also be used in abstract contexts like defending a thesis or idea.

Usage Examples:

• Она отстаивала своё мнение на собрании.

  She defended her opinion at the meeting.

• Студент защищал свою диссертацию перед комиссией.

  The student defended his dissertation before the committee.

• Мы должны защищать свои права.

  We must defend our rights.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

защищать (imperfective verb): Regular verb conjugation in Russian, follows the first conjugation pattern. Often paired with perfective form "защитить".

отстаивать (imperfective verb): Similar to "защищать", follows regular conjugation with perfective form "отстоять".

оборонять (imperfective verb): Regular conjugation with perfective form "оборонить".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "защищать":

• охранять (to guard)
• беречь (to protect, take care of)

Note: "охранять" often implies guarding, while "беречь" has a softer, caring connotation.

Antonyms for "защищать":

• нападать (to attack)
• обвинять (to accuse)

Related Phrases:

• защищать честь - to defend one's honor
• отстаивать права - to defend rights
• оборонять рубежи - to defend borders (military context)

Usage Notes:

• "защищать" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "defend", applicable in both physical and abstract contexts.
• Use "отстаивать" when emphasizing defending an opinion or belief, as it carries a sense of persistence or argumentation.
• "оборонять" is more specific to military or territorial defense and less common in everyday speech.
• Russian verbs of defending often require an accusative case for the object being defended (e.g., защищать кого/что).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "оборонять" in non-military contexts. Incorrect: "Я обороняю своё мнение" (I defend my opinion).
  Correct: "Я отстаиваю своё мнение".
  Explanation: "оборонять" is tied to physical or territorial defense, not abstract ideas.
• Error: Forgetting aspectual pairs (imperfective/perfective). Incorrect: Using "защищать" for a completed action.
  Correct: Use "защитить" for a completed act (e.g., "Я защитил проект" - I defended the project successfully).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "defending" (especially with "защищать") often carries a strong emotional or moral weight, linked to protecting family, homeland, or honor. This is deeply rooted in historical narratives of resilience and resistance, especially during wartime.

Related Concepts:

• защита (defense, protection)
• оборона (defense, military context)
• безопасность (safety, security)