Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'encipher'

English Word: encipher

Key Russian Translations:

• шифровать [ʂɨ'fro.vətʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Used in technical or cryptographic contexts]
• закодировать [zə.kə'dʲi.rə.vətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Often used interchangeably but less specific to encryption]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, IT, and security-related discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and technical vocabulary; for 'шифровать', it's standard, but 'закодировать' may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шифровать: [ʂɨ'fro.vətʲ]

закодировать: [zə.kə'dʲi.rə.vətʲ]

Note on шифровать: The initial 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens in fast speech. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To convert information into a code to prevent unauthorized access (e.g., in cryptography)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шифровать - Used in formal, technical contexts like data security or military communications.
• закодировать - Applied in everyday digital contexts, such as encoding files, but less formal than шифровать.

Usage Examples:

• Я шифрую важные документы перед отправкой по электронной почте. (Ya shifroyu vazhnyye dokumenty pered otpravkoy po elektronnoy pochte.)

  I encipher important documents before sending them via email. (This example shows the verb in a present tense, technical context.)

• В шифрованном сообщении невозможно прочитать информацию без ключа. (V shifrovannom soobshchenii nevozmozhno prochitat' informatsiyu bez klyucha.)

  In the enciphered message, it's impossible to read the information without a key. (Demonstrates the past passive participle in a security scenario.)

• Он всегда кодирует пароли для защиты аккаунта. (On vsegda kodiruet paroli dlya zashchity akkaunta.)

  He always enciphers passwords to protect his account. (Illustrates informal usage with 'закодировать' in digital everyday life.)

• Шифрование данных стало стандартной практикой в современном бизнесе. (Shifrovaniye dannyh stalo standortnoy praktikoy v sovremennom biznese.)

  Enciphering data has become a standard practice in modern business. (Shows the noun form derived from the verb in a broader context.)

• Чтобы закодировать файл, используйте специальное программное обеспечение. (Chtoby zakodirovat' fayl, ispol'zuyte spetsial'noye programmnoye obespecheniye.)

  To encipher a file, use specialized software. (Highlights imperative form and practical application.)

Secondary Meaning: To disguise or obscure information metaphorically (e.g., in literature or casual speech)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шифровать - Rarely used metaphorically, but possible in artistic or poetic contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Поэт шифрует свои эмоции в метафорах. (Poet shifruet svoi emotsii v metaforyakh.)

  The poet enciphers his emotions in metaphors. (This shows a figurative use, extending beyond technical meanings.)

• Иногда родители шифруют свои советы, чтобы дети задумались. (Inkogda roditeli shifrut svoi sovety, chtoby deti zadumalis'.)

  Sometimes parents encipher their advice so that children think deeply. (Illustrates metaphorical usage in family contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs and follow standard Russian conjugation patterns for imperfective verbs. 'Шифровать' is an imperfective verb, meaning it describes ongoing or repeated actions. It conjugates irregularly in some aspects due to its roots, but generally follows first conjugation rules.

For 'закодировать', it is also imperfective and conjugates similarly, but it may have perfective counterparts like 'закодировать' in some contexts. These verbs do not change in gender or number in their infinitive forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • зашифровывать (zashifrovывать) - More emphatic, implying additional layers.
  • кодифицировать (kodifitsirovat') - Formal, often in legal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • дешифровать (deshifrovat') - To decipher or decode.
  • раскодировать (raskodirovat') - To decode or unravel.

Related Phrases:

• Шифрованный канал связи (Shifrovannyy kanal svyazi) - Encrypted communication channel; used in secure data transfer.
• Закодированные данные (Zakodirovannyye dannyye) - Encoded data; refers to protected information in IT.
• Алгоритм шифрования (Algoritm shifrovaniya) - Encryption algorithm; a key phrase in cryptography discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'шифровать' is the most precise translation for 'encipher' in technical contexts, as it directly relates to cryptography, while 'закодировать' is broader and can mean simple encoding. English speakers should note that Russian verbs often require aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions), so choose based on context. For formal writing, prefer 'шифровать'; in casual tech talk, 'закодировать' works. Always consider the object case, as these verbs take accusative nouns (e.g., шифровать данные).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'шифровать' with 'кодировать' and using it incorrectly in non-technical contexts. For example, learners might say "Я кодирую сообщение" when they mean simple hiding, but it's fine for encoding.

  Correct: "Я шифрую сообщение для безопасности" (I encipher the message for security). Explanation: 'Шифровать' implies security, while 'кодировать' is more general; misuse can lead to imprecision in meaning.

• Error: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., using infinitive form in sentences like "Я шифровать файл" instead of "Я шифрую файл".

  Correct: "Я шифрую файл". Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject in person and number; always conjugate based on the subject.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, encryption like 'шифровать' has roots in Cold War-era espionage and Soviet cryptography, symbolizing secrecy and state security. Terms like this are prevalent in modern Russian media discussions about cyber threats, reflecting a cultural emphasis on privacy in a historically surveilled society.

Related Concepts:

• дешифровка (deshifrovka)
• криптография (kriptografiya)
• защита данных (zashchita dannyh)