Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dilute'

English Word: dilute

Key Russian Translations:

• разбавлять [rɐzˈbavlʲatʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, Formal/Informal]
• разбавить [rɐzˈbavʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Perfective, Formal/Informal]
• разводить [rɐzˈvodʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Imperfective, Often used for breeding or diluting in specific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday and technical contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "разбавлять" and "разбавить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "разводить" due to contextual nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

разбавлять: [rɐzˈbavlʲatʲ]

Note on разбавлять: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "л" is palatalized, sounding softer.

разбавить: [rɐzˈbavʲɪtʲ]

Note on разбавить: Similar stress pattern, but note the change in vowel sound in the root.

разводить: [rɐzˈvodʲɪtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another substance

Translation(s) & Context:

• разбавлять/разбавить - Used for diluting liquids like juice, paint, or solutions in both everyday and technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я разбавляю сок водой, чтобы он был менее сладким.

  I dilute the juice with water to make it less sweet.

• Нужно разбавить краску перед нанесением.

  You need to dilute the paint before applying it.

• Она разбавила суп, чтобы хватило на всех.

  She diluted the soup so there would be enough for everyone.

2. To reduce the strength or intensity of something (figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разбавлять/разбавить - Used metaphorically to mean reducing intensity or seriousness, often in conversation or content.

Usage Examples:

• Он разбавил серьёзный разговор шутками.

  He diluted the serious conversation with jokes.

• Давай разбавим программу чем-то лёгким.

  Let’s dilute the program with something light.

3. To breed or propagate (specific contexts like animals or plants)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разводить - Primarily means to breed or propagate, but can imply dilution in rare technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Они разводят рыб в пруду.

  They breed fish in the pond.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

разбавлять (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present	Past (M/F/N)	Future
1st Singular	разбавляю	разбавлял/разбавляла/разбавляло	буду разбавлять
3rd Plural	разбавляют	разбавляли	будут разбавлять

разбавить (Perfective Verb): Used for completed actions; does not have present tense forms.

разводить (Imperfective Verb): Follows similar conjugation patterns but has broader semantic uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for разбавлять/разбавить:

• разжижать (to liquefy, often in technical contexts)
• ослаблять (to weaken, often figurative)

Note: "разжижать" is more technical, while "ослаблять" is often metaphorical.

Antonyms for разбавлять/разбавить:

• концентрировать (to concentrate)
• сгущать (to thicken)

Related Phrases:

• разбавить водой - to dilute with water (literal use for liquids)
• разбавить беседу - to lighten the conversation (figurative use)
• разводить руками - to shrug (idiomatic, related to "разводить")

Usage Notes:

• "разбавлять" (imperfective) is used for ongoing or habitual actions, while "разбавить" (perfective) indicates a completed action. English speakers should choose based on the aspect of the action.
• "разводить" has a broader range of meanings (e.g., breeding, propagating) and is not always a direct translation of "dilute."
• These verbs often require an instrumental case for the substance used to dilute (e.g., "водой" - with water).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "разводить" interchangeably with "разбавлять" in contexts of diluting liquids.
  Incorrect: Я развожу сок водой.
  Correct: Я разбавляю сок водой.
  Explanation: "разводить" is more commonly used for breeding or spreading, not diluting liquids.
• Error: Forgetting aspectual differences between "разбавлять" and "разбавить."
  Explanation: Use "разбавить" for one-time completed actions and "разбавлять" for repeated or ongoing actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, diluting drinks like tea or juice is common, especially in informal settings. The verb "разбавлять" often appears in recipes or household discussions. Additionally, the figurative use of "разбавить" (e.g., to lighten a mood) reflects a cultural value of balancing seriousness with humor.

Related Concepts:

• концентрация (concentration)
• смешивание (mixing)
• раствор (solution)