Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dissect'

English Word: dissect

Key Russian Translations:

• диссецировать [dʲɪsʲɪˈtsʲɪrəvətʲ] - [Formal, used in scientific or medical contexts]
• разбирать [rəzˈbʲirətʲ] - [Informal, for general analysis or breaking down concepts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, scientific, or technical discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves specialized vocabulary; for "диссецировать," it may be C1 due to its technical nature, while "разбирать" is more accessible at B2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

диссецировать: [dʲɪsʲɪˈtsʲɪrəvətʲ]

Note on диссецировать: This is a borrowed word from Latin via English, so the pronunciation emphasizes the middle syllables. Be careful with the soft consonants, which are common in Russian.

Audio: []

разбирать: [rəzˈbʲirətʲ]

Note on разбирать: The stress is on the second syllable; it's a more native Russian word and easier for learners to pronounce without the foreign influences.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To cut apart or separate an object, especially for anatomical or scientific study.

Translation(s) & Context:

• диссецировать - Used in formal, medical, or biological settings, such as in laboratories or research.

Usage Examples:

• В лаборатории мы диссецируем лягушку, чтобы изучить её анатомию.

  In the laboratory, we dissect the frog to study its anatomy.

• Студенты учатся диссецировать образцы тканей во время практических занятий.

  Students learn to dissect tissue samples during practical classes.

• Во время операции хирург должен аккуратно диссецировать повреждённые сосуды.

  During the surgery, the surgeon must carefully dissect the damaged vessels.

• Диссецировать образец под микроскопом помогает выявить скрытые дефекты.

  Dissecting the sample under a microscope helps reveal hidden defects.

2. To analyze or break down something in detail, metaphorically (e.g., an argument or idea).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разбирать - Used in everyday or informal contexts for intellectual analysis, such as in discussions or writing.

Usage Examples:

• В эссе я постараюсь разобрать эту теорию шаг за шагом.

  In the essay, I'll try to dissect this theory step by step.

• Чтобы понять проблему, нам нужно разобрать все аргументы оппонентов.

  To understand the issue, we need to dissect all the opponents' arguments.

• Она умеет разбирать сложные тексты и находить скрытый смысл.

  She knows how to dissect complex texts and find the hidden meaning.

• Разбирать исторические события помогает избежать повторения ошибок.

  Dissecting historical events helps avoid repeating mistakes.

• В дискуссии мы разобрали его заявление, чтобы проверить его логику.

  In the discussion, we dissected his statement to check its logic.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which undergo conjugation in Russian. Russian verbs follow patterns based on aspect (perfective and imperfective). "Диссецировать" is imperfective and can be conjugated irregularly due to its foreign origin, while "разбирать" is a standard imperfective verb.

Note: These verbs do not change for perfective aspect in this context, but learners should pair them with perfective counterparts like "разобрать" for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • анатомировать (anatomirovat') - More specific to biological dissection.
  • анализировать (analizirovat') - For intellectual analysis, with a slight focus on systematic breakdown.
• Antonyms:
  • собирать (sobirat') - To assemble or put together, opposite of breaking down.
  • укреплять (ukreplyat') - To strengthen or integrate, contrasting with analysis.

Related Phrases:

• Проводить диссекцию - To perform a dissection (used in scientific contexts; refers to the act of cutting for study).
• Разбирать на части - To break down into parts (informal for detailed analysis; implies thorough examination).
• Анатомический разбор - Anatomical breakdown (a phrase for educational or medical discussions; highlights structural analysis).

Usage Notes:

"Dissect" translates most directly to "диссецировать" in formal or scientific English-Russian contexts, but "разбирать" is preferable for everyday analytical uses to sound more natural in Russian. Be mindful of the verb's aspect: use imperfective forms like these for ongoing actions. In formal writing, "диссецировать" maintains precision, while "разбирать" fits casual conversations. Choose based on context—avoid mixing with unrelated meanings to prevent confusion.

Common Errors:

• Conjugating incorrectly: English learners often forget gender agreement in past tense, e.g., saying "я диссецировал" for a female speaker (incorrect; should be "я диссецировала"). Correct: Use the appropriate gender form based on the subject.

• Overusing "диссецировать" in non-scientific contexts: Beginners might translate "dissect an idea" directly as "диссецировать идею," which sounds awkward. Correct: Use "разбирать идею" for better flow, as it's more idiomatic.

• Ignoring aspect: Saying "я разборю" instead of "я разбираю" (a common misspelling or conjugation error). Correct: Stick to standard present tense forms and pair with perfective verbs like "разобрать" for completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "диссецировать" reflect the influence of Western scientific traditions, especially from the 19th-century Russian advancements in medicine and biology under figures like Ivan Sechenov. This term carries a connotation of meticulous, intellectual pursuit, often associated with education and research in Russia, where dissection has historical significance in medical training.

Related Concepts:

• анализ (analiz) - Analysis
• анатомия (anatomiya) - Anatomy
• исследование (issledovanie) - Research or investigation