Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dilapidation'

English Word: dilapidation

Key Russian Translations:

• обветшание [ɐbvʲɪtʂɐˈnʲije] - [Formal, used in contexts involving buildings or structures]
• разрушение [rɐzruˈʂenʲije] - [Formal, broader sense, often implying more active destruction]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, legal documents, or discussions about architecture, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding nuanced vocabulary related to states of decay; 'обветшание' is B2, while 'разрушение' might be slightly easier at B1 due to its more general usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обветшание: [ɐbvʲɪtʂɐˈnʲije]

разрушение: [rɐzruˈʂenʲije]

Note on обветшание: The pronunciation features a soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the third syllable. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The state of disrepair in a building or structure

Translation(s) & Context:

• обветшание - Used in formal contexts, such as legal assessments or architectural reports, to describe gradual decay without implying sudden collapse.
• разрушение - Applied in broader contexts, like environmental or historical discussions, where destruction is more evident, such as in war-damaged areas.

Usage Examples:

• Дом в состоянии обветшания требует срочного ремонта.

  The house in a state of dilapidation requires urgent repair.

• Городские власти борются с обветшанием старых зданий.

  City authorities are fighting the dilapidation of old buildings.

• Разрушение исторических памятников включает как обветшание, так и акты вандализма.

  The dilapidation of historical monuments includes both natural decay and acts of vandalism.

• Из-за обветшания моста было запрещено движение транспорта.

  Due to the dilapidation of the bridge, traffic has been prohibited.

• Обветшание инфраструктуры стало серьёзной проблемой в регионе.

  The dilapidation of infrastructure has become a serious issue in the region.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Обветшание" is a neuter noun in the third declension group, which follows regular patterns for most cases. It does not have irregular inflections. Below is a table of its basic forms:

For "разрушение", it is also a neuter noun with similar regular inflections:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ветхость (vetkhost') - Emphasizes age-related wear, often interchangeable in architectural contexts.
  • упадок (upadok) - Implies a broader decline, suitable for metaphorical use.
• Antonyms:
  • новизна (novizna) - Freshness or newness.
  • благоустройство (blagoustroystvo) - Improvement or maintenance.

Related Phrases:

• В состоянии обветшания - In a state of dilapidation; used to describe something severely neglected.
• Предотвращение разрушения - Prevention of dilapidation; common in policy or maintenance discussions.
• Обветшание зданий - Dilapidation of buildings; a phrase often seen in urban planning contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Обветшание" directly corresponds to the gradual aspect of "dilapidation" in English, focusing on passive decay, while "разрушение" can imply more active or catastrophic processes. Use "обветшание" in formal or technical settings, such as real estate or historical preservation. Be mindful of case endings when integrating into sentences, as Russian requires agreement with nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for "обветшание" if the context is about slow deterioration, and "разрушение" for broader destruction scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "обветшание" with "разрушение": English learners might use "разрушение" for all decay-related contexts, but this overlooks the gradual nuance. Incorrect: "Дом в разрушении" (implies active destruction). Correct: "Дом в обветшании" – Explanation: "Обветшание" better captures passive wear without suggesting violence.
• Incorrect inflection: Forgetting to change cases, e.g., saying "о обветшание" instead of "об обветшании" in prepositional case. Correct usage: "Мы говорим об обветшании" (We are talking about the dilapidation).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "обветшание" often evoke discussions of historical preservation, as seen in the context of Russia's vast architectural heritage from the tsarist and Soviet eras. For instance, many historic buildings in cities like St. Petersburg suffer from dilapidation due to funding issues, symbolizing the tension between progress and cultural legacy.

Related Concepts:

• ремонт (remont) - Repair
• реставрация (restavratsiya) - Restoration
• упадок (upadok) - Decline