Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dismantle'

English Word: dismantle

Key Russian Translations:

• разобрать (/rəzɐˈbratʲ/) - [Formal, commonly used for mechanical or structural disassembly]
• размонтировать (/rəzmənʲtʲɪˈrovatʲ/) - [Formal, specific to technical or engineering contexts, such as machinery]
• ликвидировать (/lʲɪkvʲɪdʲɪˈrovatʲ/) - [Formal, used metaphorically for dissolving organizations or systems]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in technical, mechanical, and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic verbs in casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual usage. For 'разобрать', it's B1; for 'размонтировать', it might be B2 due to technical specificity).

Pronunciation (Russian):

разобрать: /rəzɐˈbratʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, and the final 'тʲ' is palatalized.)

размонтировать: /rəzmənʲtʲɪˈrovatʲ/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; note the soft 'нʲ' which can be tricky for learners.)

ликвидировать: /lʲɪkvʲɪdʲɪˈrovatʲ/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; the initial 'лʲ' is softly palatalized, common in formal Russian.)

Note on разобрать: Be cautious with the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables, as /ɐ/ can sound like a quick schwa. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Note on размонтировать: This verb often includes a prefix that alters pronunciation slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To take apart or disassemble something mechanical or structural (e.g., a machine or furniture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разобрать - Used in everyday or technical contexts when referring to breaking down objects for repair or analysis.
• размонтировать - Applied in professional settings, such as engineering, to describe systematic disassembly.

Usage Examples:

• Мы решили разобрать старый компьютер, чтобы починить его. (We decided to dismantle the old computer to fix it.)

  Translation: We decided to dismantle the old computer to fix it. (Shows basic imperative use in a practical context.)

• Инженеры размонтировали оборудование перед транспортировкой. (The engineers dismantled the equipment before transportation.)

  Translation: The engineers dismantled the equipment before transportation. (Illustrates formal, technical application.)

• Дети любят разбирать игрушки, но не всегда могут собрать их обратно. (Children love to dismantle toys but don't always manage to put them back together.)

  Translation: Children love to dismantle toys but don't always manage to put them back together. (Demonstrates informal, everyday usage with imperfective aspect.)

• Чтобы понять механизм, мне пришлось разобрать его на части. (To understand the mechanism, I had to dismantle it into pieces.)

  Translation: To understand the mechanism, I had to dismantle it into pieces. (Highlights analytical context.)

Meaning 2: To break up or dissolve an organization, system, or structure (e.g., metaphorically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ликвидировать - Used in formal or legal contexts for disbanding entities, often with permanent implications.
• разобрать - Less common here, but can be metaphorical in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство решило ликвидировать устаревшую компанию. (The government decided to dismantle the outdated company.)

  Translation: The government decided to dismantle the outdated company. (Shows formal, administrative use.)

• Активисты попытались разобрать коррумпированную систему. (Activists tried to dismantle the corrupt system.)

  Translation: Activists tried to dismantle the corrupt system. (Illustrates metaphorical application in social contexts.)

• После скандала пришлось ликвидировать весь отдел. (After the scandal, they had to dismantle the entire department.)

  Translation: After the scandal, they had to dismantle the entire department. (Emphasizes consequences in organizational settings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs, primarily of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. 'Разобрать' and 'размонтировать' are perfective verbs, while 'ликвидировать' can be used in both perfective and imperfective forms.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular inflections but require attention to aspect (perfective vs. imperfective) for correct usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Расобрать (similar to разобрать, but slightly more informal)
  • Демонтировать (formal synonym for размонтировать, often in construction)
  • Уничтожить (for ликвидировать, implying destruction)
• Antonyms:
  • Собрать (to assemble)
  • Монтировать (to install or mount)
  • Создать (to create or establish)

Related Phrases:

• Разобрать на части - To take apart into pieces (used for detailed disassembly, e.g., in repairs).
• Ликвидировать организацию - To dismantle an organization (common in business or legal contexts).
• Размонтировать систему - To dismantle a system (refers to technical setups, with implications for IT or engineering).

Usage Notes:

The English word 'dismantle' often corresponds directly to 'разобрать' in physical contexts and 'ликвидировать' in abstract ones. Choose based on formality: 'разобрать' is versatile for everyday use, while 'размонтировать' is reserved for technical scenarios. Pay attention to verb aspect in Russian—use perfective for completed actions. In sentences, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider the genitive case for objects being dismantled.

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; context dictates the best fit.
• In formal writing, 'ликвидировать' may carry legal connotations, so use cautiously.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'разобрать' with 'разрушить' (to destroy), leading to overuse of the latter. For example, incorrect: "Я разрушил машину" (I destroyed the car) when meaning disassembly; correct: "Я разобрал машину" (I dismantled the car). Another error is neglecting verb aspect—using imperfective forms incorrectly in perfective contexts, e.g., saying "Я ликвидирую компанию" for a completed action instead of "Я ликвидировал компанию". Always check for proper inflection to match person and tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like 'разобрать' are prevalent in DIY and engineering traditions, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on self-reliance and mechanical innovation during the Soviet era. 'Ликвидировать' often appears in political discourse, evoking memories of restructuring during perestroika, which adds a layer of historical weight to its usage.

Related Concepts:

• Собрать (to assemble)
• Ремонтировать (to repair)
• Демонтаж (dismantling, as a noun)