Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'divide'

English Word: divide

Key Russian Translations:

• разделить (razdɛˈlʲitʲ) - [Formal, Verb, Used in mathematical or general separation contexts]
• раздел (raˈzdɛl) - [Informal/Neutral, Noun, Used for physical or conceptual divisions]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in educational, scientific, and casual contexts.

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for 'разделить' as a verb due to its conjugation patterns; A2 (Beginner) for 'раздел' as a noun, which has straightforward declension.

Pronunciation (Russian):

разделить: [razdɛˈlʲitʲ] - The stress is on the third syllable; the 'лʲ' is a palatalized 'l' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Note on разделить: Be careful with the soft sign (ʲ) which softens the preceding consonant; it may sound like a slight 'y' glide in some dialects.

Audio: []

раздел: [raˈzdɛl] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z'.

Note on раздел: This word has a clear, emphatic pronunciation in formal settings, but it can be softened in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To separate into parts (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разделить - Used in contexts involving division of objects, ideas, or numbers, such as in mathematics or daily life (e.g., dividing a cake).

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны разделить задачи поровну. (We should divide the tasks equally.)

  Translation: We should divide the tasks equally. (This example shows the verb in a practical, everyday context with an adverb for emphasis.)

• Разделите число на два, чтобы получить половину. (Divide the number by two to get half.)

  Translation: Divide the number by two to get half. (Illustrates mathematical usage with imperative form.)

• Он разделил группу на две команды. (He divided the group into two teams.)

  Translation: He divided the group into two teams. (Demonstrates usage in social or organizational contexts.)

• Разделим расходы между всеми участниками. (Let's divide the expenses among all participants.)

  Translation: Let's divide the expenses among all participants. (Shows collaborative or plural subject usage.)

Meaning 2: A separation or section (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раздел - Refers to a part, section, or boundary, often in books, documents, or physical spaces.

Usage Examples:

• Этот раздел книги посвящен истории. (This section of the book is dedicated to history.)

  Translation: This section of the book is dedicated to history. (Example in an academic context.)

• В договоре есть четкий раздел о правах. (The contract has a clear division on rights.)

  Translation: The contract has a clear division on rights. (Used in legal or formal documents.)

• Раздел между комнатами был сделан из стекла. (The division between the rooms was made of glass.)

  Translation: The division between the rooms was made of glass. (Physical separation context.)

• В меню есть раздел для вегетарианских блюд. (In the menu, there's a section for vegetarian dishes.)

  Translation: In the menu, there's a section for vegetarian dishes. (Commercial or everyday usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'разделить' (verb): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns, but it follows imperfective/perfective aspects. The base form is imperfective; perfective forms may vary.

For 'раздел' (noun, masculine): This is a second-declension noun with regular declension patterns.

Note: These forms are regular and do not have irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for 'разделить': разделять (to share/divide), раздробить (to break into pieces; more forceful) - 'раздробить' implies a more destructive division.
• Synonyms for 'раздел': секция (section), часть (part; more general).
• Antonyms: объединить (to unite), собрать (to gather).

Related Phrases:

• Разделить пополам - To divide in half; used for equal splitting in negotiations or math.
• В этом разделе - In this section; common in texts or documents for referencing parts.
• Раздел имущества - Division of property; a phrase often used in legal contexts like divorces.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'divide' corresponds closely to 'разделить' as a verb and 'раздел' as a noun in Russian, but always consider the aspect: 'разделить' is perfective, implying completion, while 'разделять' is imperfective for ongoing actions. In formal contexts, use 'раздел' for neutral divisions, but avoid it in highly emotional scenarios where synonyms like 'разрыв' (rupture) might fit better. When choosing between translations, opt for 'разделить' in mathematical or precise contexts and 'раздел' for structural ones.

• Grammar note: Verbs like 'разделить' require agreement with gender and number in past tense.
• Context tip: In Russian culture, division can imply conflict, so use cautiously in social discussions.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the perfective 'разделить' with the imperfective 'разделять', leading to tense mismatches. For example, incorrect: "Я разделял еду каждый день" (implying ongoing action incorrectly); correct: "Я делил еду каждый день" for habitual action. Another error is improper declension, e.g., using 'раздел' in the wrong case, like "в раздел" instead of "в разделе" (in the section). Always check the case based on the preposition used.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'раздел' can carry historical connotations, such as the division of territories in the Soviet era or in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works, divisions often symbolize social rifts). This adds a layer of depth, making it more than a simple separation—it's about fragmentation in a broader societal sense.

Related Concepts:

• объединение (unification)
• граница (boundary)
• категория (category)