Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disentangle'

English Word: disentangle

Key Russian Translations:

• распутывать [rɐˈsputʲɪvətʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday contexts]
• разобрать [rɐzɐˈbratʲ] - [Formal, often in technical or problem-solving scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is moderately common in spoken and written Russian, appearing in everyday conversations and literature but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "идти" (to go).)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and context, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For "распутывать", it's B1; for "разобрать", it might be B2 due to its multiple meanings.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

распутывать: [rɐˈsputʲɪvətʲ]

разобрать: [rɐzɐˈbratʲ]

Note on распутывать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("pu"), and the "т" sound can be softened in casual speech. Be cautious with the palatalized "тʲ" which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To free something from being tangled or knotted.

Translation(s) & Context:

• распутывать - Used in informal settings, such as untangling wires or hair, emphasizing a physical action.
• разобрать - Applied in more formal or metaphorical contexts, like sorting out a problem or disassembling an object.

Usage Examples:

• Я долго распутывал провода в ящике. (Ya dolgo raspútyval provoda v yashchike.)

  I spent a long time untangling the wires in the drawer. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense context for everyday objects.)

• Ей пришлось распутывать клубок ниток, чтобы продолжить вязание. (Ey prikhodilos raspútyvat klubok nitok, chtoby prodolzhit vyanije.)

  She had to untangle the ball of yarn to continue knitting. (Illustrates use in a domestic, repetitive action scenario.)

• Мы решили разобрать механизм, чтобы понять, что сломалось. (My reshili razobrat mekhanizm, chtoby ponyat, chto slomalos.)

  We decided to disassemble the mechanism to understand what broke. (Demonstrates a more analytical or problem-solving context.)

• В психологии часто приходится распутывать сложные эмоции. (V psikhologii chasto prikhoditsya raspútyvat slozhnye emotsii.)

  In psychology, one often has to untangle complex emotions. (Shows metaphorical usage in abstract or professional settings.)

Secondary Meaning: To clarify or resolve a complicated situation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разобрать - Preferred in formal discussions, such as resolving misunderstandings.
• распутывать - Less common here, but used informally for personal dilemmas.

Usage Examples:

• Судья помог разобрать спор между соседями. (Sudya pomog razobrat spor mezhdu sosedami.)

  The judge helped to sort out the dispute between the neighbors. (Example in a legal or conflict resolution context.)

• Мне нужно распутывать эту финансовую путаницу. (Mne nuzhno raspútyvat etu finansovuyu putanitsu.)

  I need to untangle this financial mess. (Informal use for personal problem-solving.)

• В романе герой пытается разобрать тайну прошлого. (V romane geroy pytayetsya razobrat taynu proshlogo.)

  In the novel, the hero tries to unravel the mystery of the past. (Literary context with a narrative twist.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "распутывать" and "разобрать" are verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Распутывать" is an imperfective verb, indicating ongoing actions, while "разобрать" is perfective, denoting completed actions.

Note: These verbs follow standard conjugation patterns for Russian imperfective and perfective aspects. "Распутывать" is regular, while "разобрать" has slight irregularities in its perfective forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расплести (raspesti) - Similar to "распутывать" but specifically for braids or woven items; more literal.
  • расх disentangleить (rash disentangleit) - Informal variant with a focus on separation.
• Antonyms:
  • запутывать (zaputывать) - To tangle or complicate.
  • собрать (sobrat) - To assemble or gather, opposite of disassembling.

Related Phrases:

• распутать клубок (raspútat klubok) - To untangle a ball (of yarn or metaphorically, a problem); often used in idioms for resolving complexities.
• разобраться в ситуации (razobrat'sya v situatsii) - To sort out a situation; implies thorough analysis in decision-making contexts.

Usage Notes:

English users should note that "disentangle" often corresponds to "распутывать" for physical untangling and "разобрать" for intellectual or mechanical separation. In Russian, aspect is crucial: use imperfective "распутывать" for ongoing processes and perfective "разобрать" for completed ones. It's informal in casual speech but formal in professional settings, so context dictates choice. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, focus on the action's completion status.

• Grammar tip: Always conjugate based on subject; e.g., "я распутываю" for "I am untangling".
• Selection guide: Choose "распутывать" for everyday scenarios and "разобрать" for problem-solving.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the aspects: for example, using "распутывать" when a completed action is needed, like saying "Я распутывал проблему" instead of "Я разобрал проблему" for "I sorted out the problem". Correct usage: Incorrect - "Я распутывал вчера" (implies ongoing); Correct - "Я разобрал вчера" (for a finished task). Another error is mispronouncing the palatalized consonants, e.g., saying [rɐˈsputɪvət] instead of [rɐˈsputʲɪvətʲ], which can alter meaning in fast speech.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "распутать клубок" often appear in literature and proverbs, symbolizing the resolution of life's complexities, as seen in classic works by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects a cultural emphasis on perseverance and analytical thinking in facing everyday challenges.

Related Concepts:

• запутаться (to get tangled up)
• собрать воедино (to put together)
• разрешить (to resolve)