Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Deviate'

English Word: Deviate

Key Russian Translations:

• отклоняться [ɐtklɐˈnʲatʲsə] - [Formal, Used for physical or abstract deviation]
• сбиваться [zbɪˈvatʲsə] - [Informal, Often used for deviation from a path or plan]
• отходить [ɐtˈxodʲɪtʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for deviating from norms or rules]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "отклоняться" and "отходить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "сбиваться" due to colloquial usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

отклоняться: [ɐtklɐˈnʲatʲsə]

Note on отклоняться: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "я" is pronounced as a soft "ya" sound.

сбиваться: [zbɪˈvatʲsə]

Note on сбиваться: Stress on the second syllable. The "с" is soft due to the following "я".

отходить: [ɐtˈxodʲɪtʲ]

Note on отходить: Stress on the second syllable. The "д" is softened before "и".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To move away from a standard or norm (abstract deviation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отклоняться - Used in formal or technical contexts, e.g., deviating from a plan or standard.
• отходить - Often used for deviating from rules, norms, or expectations.

Usage Examples:

• Мы не должны отклоняться от первоначального плана.

  We must not deviate from the original plan.

• Он часто отходит от общепринятых норм.

  He often deviates from accepted norms.

• Его идеи отклоняются от традиционных взглядов.

  His ideas deviate from traditional views.

2. To stray from a path or course (physical deviation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сбиваться - Commonly used for losing one's way or deviating from a route, often informal.
• отклоняться - Can be used in a more formal or literal sense, e.g., a vehicle deviating from its course.

Usage Examples:

• Я сбился с пути из-за плохой погоды.

  I deviated from the path due to bad weather.

• Самолёт отклонился от маршрута из-за турбулентности.

  The plane deviated from its course due to turbulence.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

отклоняться (Imperfective Verb): Reflexive verb with regular conjugation in the imperfective aspect. Often paired with "отклониться" (perfective).

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (Masculine/Feminine/Neuter)
Я (I)	отклоняюсь	отклонялся / отклонялась / отклонялось
Ты (You, singular)	отклоняешься	отклонялся / отклонялась / отклонялось
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	отклоняется	отклонялся / отклонялась / отклонялось

сбиваться (Imperfective Verb): Reflexive verb, often paired with "сбиться" (perfective). Follows regular conjugation patterns.

отходить (Imperfective Verb): Non-reflexive verb, paired with "отойти" (perfective). Regular conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for отклоняться:

• уклоняться
• отступать

Note: "уклоняться" often implies evasion, while "отступать" may suggest retreat or stepping back.

Antonyms for отклоняться:

• придерживаться
• соответствовать

Related Phrases:

• отклоняться от курса - To deviate from the course (often used for vehicles or plans).
• сбиваться с пути - To deviate from the path (literal or figurative, often informal).
• отходить от темы - To deviate from the topic (used in conversations).

Usage Notes:

• "отклоняться" is the most versatile and formal option, suitable for both abstract (e.g., plans, ideas) and physical deviation (e.g., course, route).
• "сбиваться" is more colloquial and often used for losing one's way or deviating unintentionally.
• "отходить" frequently appears in contexts of deviating from norms, rules, or topics, and is less common for physical paths.
• Pay attention to aspect: imperfective verbs (listed here) describe ongoing or repeated deviation, while perfective forms (e.g., "отклониться") indicate a completed action.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "сбиваться" in formal contexts. Wrong: "Проект сбился с плана." Correct: "Проект отклонился от плана." (The project deviated from the plan.)
• Error: Ignoring aspectual differences. English speakers may not distinguish between imperfective and perfective forms. Tip: Use imperfective for ongoing deviation and perfective for a one-time or completed act.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, deviating from norms or plans (using "отходить" or "отклоняться") can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying irresponsibility or lack of discipline, especially in formal or traditional contexts. Be mindful of tone when using these terms.

Related Concepts:

• отступление (deviation, digression)
• уклонение (evasion, deviation)
• нарушение (violation, deviation from rules)