Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'enfeeble'

English Word: enfeeble

Key Russian Translations:

• ослаби́ть [ɐslɐˈbʲitʲ] - [Formal, Perfective verb]
• ослабля́ть [ɐslɐˈblʲætʲ] - [Informal, Imperfective verb, Used for ongoing actions]

Frequency: Medium - Commonly used in formal writing, literature, and discussions on health or strength, but not in everyday casual speech.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding verb aspects (perfective vs. imperfective) and basic conjugation; for ослаби́ть: B2, for ослабля́ть: B2 due to aspectual nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ослаби́ть: [ɐslɐˈbʲitʲ]

Note on ослаби́ть: The stress falls on the second syllable ("би́"), which is a common challenge for learners; ensure the "бʲ" is palatalized for a natural sound.

Audio: []

ослабля́ть: [ɐslɐˈblʲætʲ]

Note on ослабля́ть: Stress on the second syllable ("бля́"); the ending "-ать" indicates an imperfective verb, and the "лʲ" sound is softened, which may vary in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make weak or feeble (primary meaning, often in physical or metaphorical contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ослаби́ть - Used in formal contexts, such as medical reports or discussions about weakening structures; implies a completed action.
• ослабля́ть - Applied in informal or descriptive settings, like ongoing processes in narratives; emphasizes the process of weakening.

Usage Examples:

• Эта болезнь ослабила его иммунную систему. (Eta bol'ezn' oslabila yego immunnuyu sistemu.)

  This disease enfeebled his immune system. (Context: Formal medical discussion, showing a completed weakening effect.)

• Старость постепенно ослабляет силы человека. (Starost' postepenno oslablyaet sily cheloveka.)

  Old age gradually enfeebles a person's strength. (Context: Descriptive narrative, illustrating an ongoing process in everyday life.)

• Война ослабила экономику страны. (Voyna oslabila ekonomiky strany.)

  The war enfeebled the country's economy. (Context: Historical or political analysis, metaphorically applied to non-physical weakening.)

• Регулярные тренировки помогают ослаблять негативное влияние стресса. (Regulyarnye trenirovki pomogayut oslablyat' negativnoye vliyaniye stressa.)

  Regular workouts help to enfeeble the negative effects of stress. (Context: Health advice, showing preventive or ongoing action.)

• Экономические санкции ослабивают позиции правительства. (Ekonomicheskiye sanktsii osabliayut pozitsii pravitel'stva.)

  Economic sanctions enfeeble the government's position. (Context: News or political commentary, applied to abstract concepts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are verbs, with ослаби́ть being a perfective verb (indicating completion) and ослабля́ть being imperfective (indicating ongoing action). Russian verbs exhibit aspectual pairs and conjugate based on tense, person, and number. Below is a table for key inflections:

Note: These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for Russian verbs ending in -ить and -ать, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ослабить (oslabit' - similar perfective form), истощить (istoshchit' - to exhaust); истощить implies more severe depletion and is often used in contexts of energy or resources.
• Antonyms: усилить (usilit' - to strengthen), укрепить (ukrepit' - to fortify); these are perfective and convey the opposite effect.

Related Phrases:

• ослабить хватку - To loosen one's grip; used metaphorically in contexts of control or power, e.g., in negotiations.
• ослабить оборону - To weaken defenses; common in military or sports discussions, implying vulnerability.
• ослаблять позиции - To enfeeble positions; refers to strategic or political weakening, with ongoing implications.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, choose ослаби́ть for completed actions (e.g., "The disease enfeebled him permanently") and ослабля́ть for ongoing processes (e.g., "Aging is enfeebling his strength"). This mirrors English aspect differences but requires attention to formal contexts, where perfective forms are preferred. Be cautious with metaphorical uses, as Russian often pairs these verbs with abstract nouns like "иммунную систему" (immune system). For learners, remember that Russian verbs don't have a direct one-to-one match with English; select based on aspect to avoid awkward phrasing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the imperfective ослабля́ть when a completed action is needed, e.g., saying "Я ослабляю болезнь" instead of "Я ослаби́л болезнь" (I weakened the disease). Correct: Use ослаби́ть for finished events. Explanation: This confuses verb aspects, leading to imprecise meaning; always check the context for completion.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress, e.g., stressing the first syllable in ослаби́ть. Correct: Stress on "би́" as [ɐslɐˈbʲitʲ]. Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or lead to misunderstandings with similar verbs.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like ослаби́ть often appear in literature and historical contexts to describe the decline of empires or personal resilience, such as in Tolstoy's works where physical and moral weakening symbolizes broader societal themes. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on endurance against adversity, making such vocabulary poignant in discussions of national strength.

Related Concepts:

• укрепить (to strengthen)
• истощить (to exhaust)
• ослабление (weakening, as a noun)