Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'entangle'

English Word: entangle

Key Russian Translations:

• запутать [zə.pʊˈtatʲ] - [Informal, Verb; Used in contexts of physical or metaphorical tangling]
• вовлечь [vəvˈlʲeʧʲ] - [Formal, Verb; Used in contexts involving complications or involvement in affairs]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday and literary Russian, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать")

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual usage; for "запутать," it might be B1 due to its straightforward nature, while "вовлечь" leans toward B2 for its formal connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

запутать: [zə.pʊˈtatʲ]

Note on запутать: The stress falls on the last syllable ("tatʲ"), which is common in perfective verbs. Be mindful of the soft "tʲ" sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

вовлечь: [vəvˈlʲeʧʲ]

Note on вовлечь: Stress is on the second syllable ("lʲeʧʲ"). The "lʲ" is a soft "l" sound, often softened further in fast speech, and the "ʧʲ" is a palatalized "ch" like in "church."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To twist together or make something physically tangled

Translation(s) & Context:

• запутать - Used in literal, everyday contexts, such as with wires or threads; Informal and common in spoken language.

Usage Examples:

• Он случайно запутал провода в ящике. (He accidentally entangled the wires in the drawer.)

  He accidentally tangled the wires in the drawer. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context with direct objects.)

• Дети запутали нити во время игры. (The children entangled the threads while playing.)

  The children tangled the threads while playing. (Illustrates use in a plural subject and playful scenario.)

• Не запутывай волосы расчёской! (Don't entangle your hair with the comb!)

  Don't tangle your hair with the comb! (Demonstrates imperative form in advice-giving.)

• Эта сеть легко запутывает рыбу в реке. (This net easily entangles fish in the river.)

  This net easily tangles fish in the river. (Shows application in a natural or outdoor context.)

Meaning 2: To involve someone in complications or difficulties

Translation(s) & Context:

• вовлечь - Used in more abstract, formal contexts, such as legal or emotional entanglements; Often appears in written or professional language.

Usage Examples:

• Это расследование вовлекло его в серьезные проблемы. (This investigation entangled him in serious problems.)

  This investigation involved him in serious troubles. (Example in a past tense narrative, highlighting metaphorical use.)

• Не вовлекай друзей в свои личные дела. (Don't entangle your friends in your personal affairs.)

  Don't involve your friends in your personal matters. (Imperative form, emphasizing avoidance in relationships.)

• Политика часто вовлекает людей в конфликты. (Politics frequently entangles people in conflicts.)

  Politics often involves people in conflicts. (General statement in present tense, showing broader application.)

• Его решение вовлекло компанию в финансовый хаос. (His decision entangled the company in financial chaos.)

  His decision involved the company in financial chaos. (Context of business or decision-making.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "запутать" and "вовлечь" are perfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe completed actions. Russian verbs undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Запутать" has an imperfective counterpart "запутывать," while "вовлечь" pairs with "вовлекать." Below are tables for key conjugations.

For "запутать" (Perfective):

For "вовлечь" (Perfective):

These verbs do not change for gender in the infinitive form but do in the past tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Смешать (smʲeˈʃatʲ) - Similar to "запутать" but implies mixing; Used for less tangled contexts.
  • Втянуть (vʲtʲaˈnutʲ) - Closer to "вовлечь," implying drawing into something.
• Antonyms:
  • Развязать (rəzˈvja.zatʲ) - To untangle or free.
  • Освободить (ɐs.vɐ.ˈbo.dʲitʲ) - To release from involvement.

Related Phrases:

• Запутаться в сетях - To get entangled in networks (e.g., metaphorically in social media); Refers to becoming trapped in complexities.
• Вовлечь в интригу - To involve in intrigue; Common in literary or dramatic contexts, implying plots or schemes.
• Запутанный узел - An entangled knot; Used literally or figuratively for complicated situations.

Usage Notes:

"Запутать" is more casual and physical, making it a direct match for "entangle" in everyday English, while "вовлечь" suits formal or abstract uses, akin to "entangle" in legal or emotional contexts. Choose based on context: use "запутать" for tangible scenarios and "вовлечь" for interpersonal ones. Be aware of aspect in Russian—perfective for completed actions. In formal writing, "вовлечь" might require agreement with gender and number in past tense.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspect: English learners often use the imperfective "запутывать" when a perfective like "запутать" is needed for a completed action. Error: "Я запутывать провода" (incorrect). Correct: "Я запутал провода." Explanation: Russian requires aspect matching; use perfective for finished events.
• Misapplying formality: Using "запутать" in a formal context. Error: "Это дело запутать его" (too informal). Correct: "Это дело вовлекло его." Explanation: "Вовлечь" is better for professional or abstract discussions to maintain tone.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "запутать" often appear in literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works) to symbolize life's complexities or moral dilemmas, reflecting a cultural emphasis on introspection and fate. "Вовлечь" might evoke historical contexts like political entanglements during the Soviet era, where involvement in state affairs could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Related Concepts:

• Сплетение (complex interweaving)
• Конфликт (conflict)
• Связь (connection or tie)