Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'devolve'

English Word: devolve

Key Russian Translations:

• передавать [pʲɪrʲɪˈdavatʲ] - [Formal, Used for transferring duties or powers]
• переходить [pʲɪrʲɪˈxodʲɪtʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for transition of responsibilities or rights]
• опускаться [ɐpʊˈskatʲsə] - [Informal, Used in the sense of decline or deterioration]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "передавать" and "переходить"; C1 (Advanced) for "опускаться" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

передавать: [pʲɪrʲɪˈdavatʲ]

Note on передавать: Stress on the second syllable; the soft "р" sound is typical in Russian.

переходить: [pʲɪrʲɪˈxodʲɪtʲ]

Note on переходить: Stress on the second syllable; the ending varies with aspect and tense.

опускаться: [ɐpʊˈskatʲsə]

Note on опускаться: Stress on the second syllable; note the reflexive particle "-ся".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To transfer or delegate (power, responsibility)

Translation(s) & Context:

• передавать - Used in formal contexts, often for delegating authority or duties.
• переходить - Used when responsibilities or rights pass from one entity to another, often in legal or administrative contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Полномочия были переданы местным органам власти.

  The powers were devolved to local authorities.

• После реформы власть перешла к региональным правительствам.

  After the reform, power devolved to regional governments.

• Он передал свои обязанности заместителю.

  He devolved his responsibilities to his deputy.

2. To decline or deteriorate (standards, situation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• опускаться - Used in a negative sense, often implying a moral or qualitative decline.

Usage Examples:

• Дискуссия опустилась до уровня личных оскорблений.

  The discussion devolved into personal insults.

• Его поведение опустилось до неприемлемого уровня.

  His behavior devolved to an unacceptable level.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

передавать (Imperfective Verb): Regular verb with standard conjugation for imperfective aspect.

переходить (Imperfective Verb): Similar to "передавать", follows regular conjugation patterns.

опускаться (Reflexive Verb): Reflexive verb with "-ся"; conjugation includes reflexive particle.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for передавать:

• делегировать (delegate, more formal)
• перепоручать (entrust, less common)

Synonyms for опускаться:

• деградировать (degrade, stronger negative connotation)
• падать (fall, broader usage)

Antonyms for передавать:

• забирать (take back)
• удерживать (retain)

Related Phrases:

• передавать полномочия - To devolve powers (often used in governance contexts).
• переходить в руки - To devolve into someone's hands (used for ownership or control).
• опускаться до уровня - To devolve to a level (used for decline in quality or behavior).

Usage Notes:

• "передавать" is the most direct translation for "devolve" in the context of transferring duties or powers, and it is widely used in formal and administrative language.
• "переходить" often implies a natural or legal transition of responsibilities, less active than "передавать".
• "опускаться" should be used cautiously as it carries a negative connotation of decline, unlike the neutral tone of "devolve" in English when referring to delegation.
• Pay attention to verb aspects: "передавать" (imperfective) and its perfective form "передать" may change based on whether the action is completed.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опускаться" in formal contexts to mean delegation. Incorrect: "Полномочия опустились к местным властям." Correct: "Полномочия были переданы местным властям." (Explanation: "опускаться" implies decline, not delegation.)
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect. Incorrect: "Я передаю полномочия вчера." Correct: "Я передал полномочия вчера." (Explanation: Use perfective "передал" for completed past actions.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "devolving power" (передавать полномочия) often carries historical weight due to the centralized nature of governance in Soviet and post-Soviet contexts. Discussions about devolving authority might evoke references to regional autonomy debates.

Related Concepts:

• делегирование (delegation)
• автономия (autonomy)
• деградация (degradation)