Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dismember'

English Word: dismember

Key Russian Translations:

• расчленить [rɐʂˈʧlʲenʲɪtʲ] - [Formal; Used in contexts involving violence, forensic science, or dissection]
• разъединить [rɐzʲɪˈdʲinʲɪtʲ] - [Informal; Less graphic, often for mechanical or abstract separation]

Frequency: Low - This term is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in specialized contexts like crime reports, medical literature, or literature.

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2) - Requires familiarity with Russian verb conjugations and vocabulary related to violence or anatomy; for "расчленить," the difficulty is higher due to its irregular aspects, while "разъединить" is slightly easier (B2).

Pronunciation (Russian):

расчленить: [rɐʂˈʧlʲenʲɪtʲ]

разъединить: [rɐzʲɪˈdʲinʲɪtʲ]

Note on расчленить: The "щ" sound (as in [ʂ]) can be challenging for English speakers, similar to the 'sh' in "she" but with a more fricative quality; it may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Note on разъединить: The prefix "раз-" emphasizes separation, and the stress on the second syllable is key; be careful with the soft sign "ъ" which affects pronunciation subtly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To cut off or separate the limbs or parts of a body, often in a violent or surgical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• расчленить - Commonly used in formal, graphic descriptions, such as in crime novels or forensic reports; avoid in casual speech due to its intensity.
• разъединить - Used for less violent separations, like in mechanics or abstract concepts, providing a milder alternative.

Usage Examples:

• Преступник расчленил тело жертвы, чтобы скрыть улики.

  The criminal dismembered the victim's body to hide the evidence.

• В фильме ужасов показывают, как монстр расчленяет своих жертв в тёмном лесу.

  In the horror movie, the monster dismembers its victims in a dark forest.

• Хирург был вынужден разъединить конечности для сложной операции.

  The surgeon had to dismember the limbs for a complex operation.

• В старом замке легенда рассказывает, как привидение разъединяет предметы в поисках мести.

  In the old castle, the legend tells of a ghost that dismembers objects in search of revenge.

• Чтобы понять анатомию, студенты разъединяют модели скелета на уроке.

  To understand anatomy, students dismember skeleton models in class.

Meaning 2: To divide or break something into pieces metaphorically (e.g., an organization or argument).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разъединить - Preferred for metaphorical uses, such as in politics or debates; less common for "dismember" in this sense but accurate.

Usage Examples:

• Внутренние конфликты разъединили партию на несколько фракций.

  Internal conflicts dismembered the party into several factions.

• Критика разъединила аргументы оппонента, сделав их бессвязными.

  The criticism dismembered the opponent's arguments, making them incoherent.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Расчленить" is a perfective verb (indicating a completed action), while "разъединить" can be both perfective and imperfective in derived forms. Below is a table for key inflections:

Note: These verbs are irregular in their aspects; "расчленить" does not have a direct imperfective form, but related imperfectives like "расчленять" exist for ongoing actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разделить - More general, for dividing without violence.
  • разрезать - Specifically for cutting, with subtle differences in precision.
• Antonyms:
  • собрать - To assemble or put together.
  • соединить - To unite or connect.

Related Phrases:

• Расчленить тело - To dismember a body; used in crime contexts, often evoking strong imagery in Russian literature.
• Разъединить части - To separate parts; applicable in mechanical or abstract scenarios, like in engineering.
• Расчленение трупа - Dismemberment of a corpse; a fixed phrase in forensic or legal discussions.

Usage Notes:

"Dismember" translates most accurately to "расчленить" in violent or literal contexts, but "разъединить" is better for non-graphic separations to avoid unnecessary intensity. In Russian, these verbs are aspect-sensitive: use perfective forms for completed actions. Be cautious with formal settings, as "расчленить" can be taboo; opt for "разъединить" in everyday or metaphorical use. When choosing between translations, consider the audience—e.g., in medical texts, precision is key.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking "расчленить" for "разделить": Learners often use "разделить" (to divide) interchangeably, but it's less graphic. Error: "Я разделил тело" (incorrect for dismembering). Correct: "Я расчленил тело." Explanation: "Разделить" implies neutral division, not violent separation.
• Overusing in casual speech: Non-native speakers might apply "расчленить" too broadly, e.g., saying "расчлени машину" for disassembling a car. Correct: Use "разобрать" instead. Explanation: Stick to context-specific verbs to maintain naturalness.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "расчленить" often appear in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works) to symbolize moral decay or societal breakdown. Historically, such imagery has been used in folklore to represent chaos, reflecting themes of disintegration in Russian history, like during revolutions.

Related Concepts:

• убийство
• анатомия
• разделение