Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dispel'

English Word: dispel

Key Russian Translations:

• рассеять [rɐˈsʲejɪtʲ] - [Formal, Used in contexts involving abstract concepts like doubts or fears]
• развеять [rɐzvʲeˈjɪtʲ] - [Informal, Plural contexts or when emphasizing dispersion]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and formal writing, but less frequent in everyday spoken Russian)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and abstract usage; for 'рассеять', B2; for 'развеять', B1 if simpler contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рассеять: [rɐˈsʲejɪtʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'с' is soft, making it sound like 's' followed by 'y')

развеять: [rɐzvʲeˈjɪtʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; note the soft 'в' sound)

Note on рассеять: This word can have slight variations in fast speech, where the final 'тʲ' softens further; practice with native speakers for fluency.

Note on развеять: Often used in poetic contexts, with emphasis on the initial 'р' sound for dramatic effect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To drive away or dissipate something intangible, such as doubts, fears, or illusions (e.g., making a feeling or belief disappear)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рассеять - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as philosophical discussions or scientific explanations.
• развеять - Applied in more everyday or narrative contexts, like storytelling or casual conversations about overcoming obstacles.

Usage Examples:

• Ему удалось рассеять все сомнения о проекте. (Yemu udalos' rasseyat' vse somneniya o proekte.)

  He managed to dispel all doubts about the project. (This example shows 'рассеять' in a professional context, highlighting its use with abstract nouns.)

• Доктор развеял мои страхи перед операцией. (Doktor razveyal moi strakhi pered operatsiyey.)

  The doctor dispelled my fears before the surgery. (Here, 'развеять' is used in a personal, health-related scenario, demonstrating informal application.)

• Свет луны рассеял тьму в лесу. (Svet luny rasseyal' t'mu v lesu.)

  The moonlight dispelled the darkness in the forest. (This illustrates 'рассеять' in a metaphorical or natural context, varying the grammatical structure.)

• Её слова развеяли мифы о прошлом. (Yeyo slova razveyali mify o proshlom.)

  Her words dispelled the myths about the past. (Example shows 'развеять' with plural objects, emphasizing dispersion in historical narratives.)

• Учёный рассеял заблуждения общества. (Uchyonyy rasseyal' zabluzhdeniya obshchestva.)

  The scientist dispelled society's misconceptions. (This demonstrates 'рассеять' in an educational context, with a focus on societal impact.)

To eliminate or scatter something physical, though less common (e.g., dispersing a crowd or fog)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рассеять - In contexts involving physical dispersion, such as weather or crowds, but retains a formal tone.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер рассеял туман над рекой. (Veter rasseyal' tuman nad reykey.)

  The wind dispelled the fog over the river. (This example shifts to a physical context, showing versatility in environmental descriptions.)

• Полиция развеяла толпу протестующих. (Politsiya razveyala tolpu protestuyushchikh.)

  The police dispelled the crowd of protesters. (Illustrates 'развеять' in a social or action-oriented scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'рассеять' and 'развеять' are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow the standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. 'Рассеять' is irregular in some forms due to its stem changes.

Note: These verbs do not change in imperative forms without additional particles, but they can be prefixed for perfective aspects (e.g., 'рассеять' becomes 'рассеять' in perfective contexts via compounds).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разогнать (razognat') - More forceful, often for physical dispersion.
  • устранить (ustranit') - Focuses on removal, with subtle differences in permanence.
• Antonyms:
  • возникать (vozniknut') - To arise or appear.
  • наращивать (narashchivat') - To build up or intensify.

Related Phrases:

• Рассеять сомнения (Rasseyat' somneniya) - To dispel doubts; used in decision-making contexts.
• Развеять иллюзии (Razveyat' illizii) - To dispel illusions; common in psychological or self-help discussions.
• Рассеять тьму (Rasseyat' t'mu) - To dispel darkness; a metaphorical phrase for enlightenment or clarity.

Usage Notes:

• Choose 'рассеять' for more formal or abstract scenarios, as it aligns closely with the English 'dispel' in eliminating intangible elements, while 'развеять' suits narrative or everyday use.
• Be mindful of verb aspect: Russian requires distinguishing between imperfective (ongoing) and perfective (completed) forms; 'dispel' often translates to imperfective here.
• In sentences, these verbs typically follow the subject and precede the object, e.g., "Subject + Verb + Object."
• Grammar note: They can take direct objects without prepositions, unlike some English equivalents.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'рассеять' interchangeably with 'развеять' without considering context. Incorrect: "Я развеял сомнения" in a highly formal report. Correct: "Я рассеял сомнения" for formality. Explanation: 'Развеять' may sound too casual in professional settings.
• Error: Neglecting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "Я рассеять" instead of "Я рассеиваю." Incorrect: "Я рассеять сомнения." Correct: "Я рассеиваю сомнения." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'рассеять тьму' (to dispel darkness) often carry symbolic weight, drawing from literary traditions in works by authors like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where dispelling ignorance or fear represents enlightenment or moral awakening.

Related Concepts:

• просветить (prosveščtit') - To enlighten.
• уничтожить (unichtožit') - To destroy.
• осветить (osvetit') - To illuminate.