Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'electrocute'

English Word: electrocute

Key Russian Translations:

• электрокютировать [ɪlʲɛktrɐˈkjuːtʲɪrəvɐtʲ] - [Formal, Technical; Used in contexts involving accidents or medical/forensic discussions]

Frequency: Low (This term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation; it's more prevalent in specialized fields like medicine, law, or safety reports.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand the vocabulary with some exposure to technical terms, but mastering its conjugation requires familiarity with Russian verb patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

электрокютировать: [ɪlʲɛktrɐˈkjuːtʲɪrəvɐtʲ]

Note on электрокютировать: This word has a complex pronunciation due to the foreign loan origin. Pay attention to the stressed syllable on "kjuːtʲ", and the soft consonants (e.g., "lʲ" and "tʲ") which are common in Russian but may challenge English speakers. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To kill or cause death by electric shock

Translation(s) & Context:

• электрокютировать - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing accidents, legal cases, or scientific explanations involving electricity.

Usage Examples:

• В прошлом году рабочий был электрокютирован на стройке из-за неисправного оборудования.

  Last year, a worker was electrocuted at the construction site due to faulty equipment.

• Если вы коснетесь оголенного провода, вас может электрокютировать.

  If you touch a bare wire, it might electrocute you.

• В фильме показывают, как преступника электрокютируют в старой тюрьме.

  In the movie, they show how the criminal is electrocuted in an old prison.

• Дети должны учить правила безопасности, чтобы не электрокютировать себя во время игр.

  Children should learn safety rules to avoid electrocuting themselves during play.

• Врачи исследуют случаи, когда людей электрокютирует молнией во время грозы.

  Doctors are studying cases where people are electrocuted by lightning during storms.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Электрокютировать" is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, derived from a foreign loanword. It follows standard patterns but is irregular in some aspects due to its complexity. Below is a table outlining its key inflections for the present tense (as it's a transitive verb).

Note: This verb can also be used in past (e.g., электрокютировал - he electrocuted) and future tenses (e.g., буду электрокютировать - I will electrocute). It is aspectually imperfective, meaning it describes ongoing or repeated actions. For perfective aspect, alternatives like "убить током" might be used in certain contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: убить током (kill by electric shock; more literal and common in everyday language), ударить током (strike with electricity; less lethal connotation)
• Антонимы: реанимировать (revive; implies bringing back from a state of death or shock)

Explanation: "Убить током" is a synonym but is more straightforward and used in informal settings, while "электрокютировать" carries a formal, technical nuance.

Related Phrases:

• Получить удар током - To receive an electric shock (often used in safety warnings or accident reports).
• Защититься от электрокютирования - To protect against electrocution (common in electrical safety contexts).
• Риск электрокютирования - Risk of electrocution (used in technical or legal phrases to denote danger).

Usage Notes:

"Электрокютировать" directly corresponds to the English "electrocute" in meaning, emphasizing death or severe injury from electricity. It is primarily used in formal, technical, or journalistic contexts rather than casual conversation. Be cautious with its aspect: Russian verbs often require choosing between imperfective (like this one) and perfective forms for precise tense usage. For everyday scenarios, opt for simpler phrases like "убить током" to avoid sounding overly formal. When translating, ensure the context involves lethality, as milder shocks might use "ударить током" instead.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "электрокютировать" with "ударить током" and using it for non-lethal shocks. Incorrect: "Я ударил током телефон" (implying electrocution). Correct: "Я получил удар током от телефона" (for a shock). Explanation: "Электрокютировать" specifically means causing death, so reserve it for severe cases to avoid exaggeration.
• Error: Incorrect verb conjugation, e.g., saying "электрокютировать" in the wrong person. Incorrect: "Он электрокютирует вчера" (tense mismatch). Correct: "Он электрокютировал вчера" (past tense). Explanation: Russian requires strict agreement in tense and aspect; learners often mix up with English's more flexible structures.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, terms like "электрокютировать" are often associated with historical events, such as executions in the early 20th century or modern safety campaigns. It may evoke references to Soviet-era industrial accidents, highlighting Russia's emphasis on electrical infrastructure in urban development. Understanding this can help English speakers grasp the word's weight in contexts like literature or news, where it symbolizes human vulnerability to technology.

Related Concepts:

• электричество (Electricity)
• молния (Lightning)
• безопасность (Safety)