Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'demolition'

English Word: demolition

Key Russian Translations:

• снос [ˈsnos] - [Formal, used in contexts like urban planning or engineering]
• разрушение [rɐˈzruʂənʲɪje] - [Formal, Informal; implies more general destruction, often with a broader scope]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, legal, and urban development discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and formal vocabulary; for 'снос', it's straightforward, but 'разрушение' may involve more complex contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

снос: [ˈsnos] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'с' is a voiceless alveolar fricative, similar to 's' in 'snake')

разрушение: [rɐˈzruʂənʲɪje] (Stress on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for learners)

Note on снос: The pronunciation is relatively simple, but ensure the stress is correct to avoid confusion with similar words like 'сно' (abbreviation for 'sleep').

Note on разрушение: This word has a soft 'ш' sound; practice with native speakers to master the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of tearing down or destroying buildings, structures, or objects intentionally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• снос - Typically used in formal, administrative, or engineering contexts, such as government projects or legal documents.
• разрушение - Applies to broader destructive acts, including accidental or violent demolition, and is more versatile in everyday or narrative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• В городе планируется снос старых зданий для строительства нового квартала.

  In the city, the demolition of old buildings is planned for the construction of a new district.

• Разрушение исторических мостов в результате войны вызвало общественный протест.

  The destruction (demolition) of historical bridges due to the war sparked public protests.

• Компания занимается сносом промышленных объектов с использованием современных технологий.

  The company specializes in the demolition of industrial facilities using modern technology.

• Массовое разрушение зданий во время землетрясения потребовало быстрой эвакуации.

  The widespread demolition of buildings during the earthquake required immediate evacuation.

• Снос заброшенных домов в пригороде помог улучшить экологическую ситуацию.

  The demolition of abandoned houses in the suburbs helped improve the environmental situation.

Broader or metaphorical usage (e.g., in abstract contexts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разрушение - Can be used metaphorically for breaking down ideas or systems, e.g., in philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Разрушение старых традиций привело к социальным изменениям в обществе.

  The demolition (destruction) of old traditions led to social changes in society.

• Снос барьеров между культурами способствует глобализации.

  The demolition of barriers between cultures promotes globalization.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'снос' and 'разрушение' are masculine nouns. 'Снос' follows the second declension pattern (common for many Russian nouns), while 'разрушение' is also second declension but with potential irregularities in certain forms due to its length and structure.

Note: These nouns do not change for gender but must agree in case with other words in the sentence. 'Снос' is invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ликвидация (likvidatsiya) - More formal, often used in bureaucratic contexts; implies complete removal.
  • уничтожение (unichtozhenie) - Emphasizes total annihilation, with a slightly more intense connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • строительство (stroitelstvo) - Construction or building up.
  • восстановление (vosstanovlenie) - Restoration or rebuilding.

Related Phrases:

• снос зданий - Demolition of buildings; commonly used in urban planning contexts.
• массовый снос - Mass demolition; refers to large-scale operations, often with social implications.
• разрушение инфраструктуры - Destruction of infrastructure; used in contexts like war or disasters, with the meaning: This phrase highlights impacts on public systems.

Usage Notes:

'Снос' directly corresponds to 'demolition' in controlled, intentional contexts like construction projects, while 'разрушение' is broader and can include unintentional or violent acts. In Russian, always ensure the noun agrees in case with its modifiers; for example, use genitive for possession (e.g., 'сноса зданий'). 'Снос' is preferred in formal writing, whereas 'разрушение' works in both formal and informal settings. When choosing between translations, opt for 'снос' if the focus is on structural removal, and 'разрушение' for metaphorical or destructive nuances.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'снос' with 'сно' (an abbreviation for sleep-related terms): Incorrect: "Сно зданий" (meant to be 'снос', but misspelled). Correct: "Снос зданий". Explanation: 'Сно' is not a word; always use the full form and check spelling to avoid unrelated meanings.

• Using 'разрушение' interchangeably with 'снос' without context: Incorrect: "Разрушение дома для ремонта" (implies violent destruction). Correct: "Снос дома для ремонта". Explanation: 'Разрушение' suggests permanence or catastrophe, so reserve it for non-reversible scenarios.

• Forgetting case agreement: Incorrect: "В сносе зданий" (should be genitive). Correct: "В сносе зданий". Explanation: Russian requires precise declension; learners often overlook this, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like 'снос' are often linked to Soviet-era urban renewal projects, where large-scale demolitions occurred to make way for modernist architecture. This can carry connotations of progress versus heritage loss, as seen in debates over preserving historical sites in cities like Moscow.

Related Concepts:

• строительство
• ремонт
• ликвидация