Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Derail'

English Word: derail

Key Russian Translations:

• сойти с рельсов [ˈsojti s ˈrʲelʲsəf] - [Literal, Used for trains]
• сорвать [sɐrˈvatʲ] - [Figurative, Used for plans or processes]
• отклониться [ɐtklɐˈnʲitʲsə] - [Figurative, Used for discussions or focus]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts like transportation or figurative speech)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate - varies by translation; "сойти с рельсов" is easier, while "отклониться" may require nuanced understanding)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сойти с рельсов: [ˈsojti s ˈrʲelʲsəf]

Note on сойти с рельсов: Stress falls on the first syllable of "сойти" and the first syllable of "рельсов". The "р" sound is rolled.

сорвать: [sɐrˈvatʲ]

Note on сорвать: The stress is on the second syllable; the "р" is rolled, and the final "ть" is soft.

отклониться: [ɐtklɐˈnʲitʲsə]

Note on отклониться: Stress on the third syllable; the reflexive "-ся" ending is pronounced softly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Literal (Train or vehicle leaving tracks)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сойти с рельсов - Used specifically for trains or trams derailing.

Usage Examples:

• Поезд сошёл с рельсов из-за аварии.

  The train derailed due to an accident.

• Вчера ночью трамвай сошёл с рельсов.

  Last night, a tram derailed.

• После сильного дождя поезд мог сойти с рельсов.

  After heavy rain, the train could derail.

2. Figurative (Disrupt plans or processes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сорвать - Used for derailing plans, negotiations, or events.

Usage Examples:

• Его действия сорвали все наши планы.

  His actions derailed all our plans.

• Переговоры были сорваны из-за разногласий.

  The negotiations were derailed due to disagreements.

3. Figurative (Go off topic or lose focus)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отклониться - Used for discussions or attention shifting away from the main topic.

Usage Examples:

• Давайте не будем отклоняться от темы.

  Let’s not derail from the topic.

• Он всегда отклоняется от главного вопроса.

  He always derails from the main issue.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сойти с рельсов (Verb Phrase): This is a verb phrase with "сойти" (perfective, to go down/come off) as the main verb. It follows standard verb conjugation for "сойти".

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	сойду с рельсов	сойдём с рельсов
2nd	сойдёшь с рельсов	сойдёте с рельсов
3rd	сойдёт с рельсов	сойдут с рельсов

сорвать (Verb): Perfective verb meaning "to tear off" or "to disrupt". Conjugates regularly in past, present, and future tenses.

отклониться (Verb): Reflexive perfective verb meaning "to deviate". The reflexive "-ся" ending remains in all forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for сорвать (disrupt):

• нарушить
• помешать

Note: "нарушить" is more formal, often used in legal or official contexts, while "помешать" implies interference.

Antonyms for сорвать (disrupt):

• выполнить
• завершить

Related Phrases:

• сойти с рельсов жизни - Figurative: "to derail from the path of life" (to lose direction in life).
• сорвать сроки - "to derail deadlines" (to fail to meet deadlines).
• отклониться от курса - "to derail from the course" (to deviate from a planned path or goal).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "сойти с рельсов", "сорвать", and "отклониться" depends on context. Use "сойти с рельсов" for literal train derailments, "сорвать" for disrupting plans or events, and "отклониться" for deviating from a topic or focus.
• "сорвать" can also mean "to tear off" (e.g., a leaf), so context is crucial to avoid ambiguity.
• Russian often uses verb aspects (perfective/imperfective) to indicate completion or repetition. All listed translations are perfective, indicating a one-time or completed action.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сойти с рельсов" in figurative contexts like disrupting plans.
  Incorrect: Наши планы сошли с рельсов.
  Correct: Наши планы были сорваны.
  Explanation: "сойти с рельсов" is strictly literal for physical derailment, not metaphorical disruptions.
• Error: Misusing "сорвать" for going off-topic.
  Incorrect: Разговор был сорван.
  Correct: Разговор отклонился.
  Explanation: "сорвать" implies disruption or failure, not deviation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, trains and rail transport hold historical and symbolic importance due to the vast railway network (e.g., Trans-Siberian Railway). The phrase "сойти с рельсов" may evoke imagery of significant disruption, often used in literature or media to describe catastrophic failures or life-altering events.

Related Concepts:

• авария (accident)
• крушение (crash)
• отклонение (deviation)