Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disinfect'

English Word: disinfect

Key Russian Translations:

• дезинфицировать [/dʲɪzʲɪnʲfʲɪˈsʲirəvətʲ/] - [Formal, Medical contexts]
• обеззараживать [/ɐbʲɪzəzrɐˈʐɨvətʲ/] - [Informal, General hygiene]

Frequency: Medium (Common in medical, health, and cleaning contexts, but not everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, due to verb conjugation and length; for 'дезинфицировать', it requires familiarity with first-conjugation verbs; for 'обеззараживать', similar but slightly more straightforward)

Pronunciation (Russian):

дезинфицировать: /dʲɪzʲɪnʲfʲɪˈsʲirəvətʲ/

Note on дезинфицировать: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('si-'), which can be tricky for learners; pronounce with a soft 'z' sound as in 'measure'.

обеззараживать: /ɐbʲɪzəzrɐˈʐɨvətʲ/

Note on обеззараживать: The 'zh' sound (as in 'measure') is key; avoid over-emphasizing the initial 'o' for a more natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To clean something to destroy bacteria, viruses, or other harmful microorganisms.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дезинфицировать - Used in formal or professional settings, such as hospitals or laboratories, emphasizing thorough sterilization.
• обеззараживать - Applied in everyday contexts like home cleaning, with a broader sense of making something safe from infection.

Usage Examples:

• Я дезинфицирую руки перед операцией в больнице.

  I disinfect my hands before surgery in the hospital.

• Обеззараживать поверхности в доме помогает предотвратить распространение вирусов.

  Disinfecting surfaces at home helps prevent the spread of viruses.

• Дезинфицировать воду в бассейне – это стандартная процедура для безопасности.

  Disinfecting the water in the pool is a standard procedure for safety.

• Мы всегда обеззараживаем инструменты после использования.

  We always disinfect tools after use.

• Врачи дезинфицируют раны, чтобы избежать инфекций.

  Doctors disinfect wounds to avoid infections.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'дезинфицировать' and 'обеззараживать' are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but can have complexities due to their length. They are imperfective verbs, often paired with perfective counterparts for complete actions.

For 'дезинфицировать' (imperfective):

The perfective form is 'дезинфицировать' in certain contexts, but more commonly 'продезинфицировать' for completed actions.

For 'обеззараживать' (imperfective):

These verbs do not have irregular forms but require attention to aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стерилизовать (more specific to sterilization, often used interchangeably but implies complete elimination)
  • очищать (general cleaning, less focused on microbes)
• Antonyms:
  • заражать (to infect, directly opposite in meaning)
  • загрязнять (to contaminate)

Related Phrases:

• Дезинфицирующее средство - A disinfectant solution or product (used for surface cleaning in homes or clinics).
• Обеззараживать воду - To disinfect water (common in contexts like swimming pools or drinking water treatment).
• Дезинфекция помещений - Disinfection of premises (refers to thorough cleaning of buildings to prevent epidemics).

Usage Notes:

'Дезинфицировать' is the most precise translation for 'disinfect' in formal contexts, such as medical or scientific settings, while 'обеззараживать' is better for everyday use due to its broader applicability. Always consider the aspect: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective (e.g., продезинфицировать) for completed ones. In Russian, these verbs often pair with objects in the accusative case, and they are neutral in terms of register, though 'дезинфицировать' leans formal. English learners should note that Russian emphasizes the process more explicitly through verb forms.

Common Errors:

• Confusing verb aspects: Learners might use 'дезинфицировать' for a completed action without the perfective prefix, e.g., incorrectly saying "Я дезинфицировал" when "Я продезинфицировал" is needed. Correct: Use perfective for finished tasks to avoid ambiguity.
• Mispronouncing or misspelling: Forgetting the soft signs, e.g., writing "дезинфицировать" as "дезинфицировать" (missing accents), which alters pronunciation. Error example: "Я обеззраживаю" (wrong spelling); Correct: "Я обеззараживаю".
• Overgeneralizing: Assuming 'обеззараживать' can replace 'дезинфицировать' in all contexts; it's less precise in medical scenarios.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, disinfection practices are heavily influenced by historical health crises, such as epidemics in the 20th century. Terms like 'дезинфицировать' evoke a sense of meticulous hygiene, reflecting the importance of public health in Soviet and modern Russian society, where routine disinfection is emphasized in daily life, especially in communal spaces.

Related Concepts:

• гигиена (hygiene)
• бактерии (bacteria)
• стерильность (sterility)