Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'envisage'

English Word: envisage

Key Russian Translations:

• Представлять [prʲɪ.stɐ.'vʲætʲ] - [Formal, used for mental visualization]
• Предвидеть [prʲɪd.'vʲi.dʲɛtʲ] - [Formal, used for foreseeing or predicting]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing, literature, and professional contexts, but less frequent in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances; 'Представлять' may be easier at B1, while 'Предвидеть' is more B2 due to its predictive connotations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Представлять: [prʲɪ.stɐ.'vʲætʲ]

Note on Представлять: This verb has a stress on the second syllable ('vʲætʲ'). Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation, making it softer and more palatalized. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Предвидеть: [prʲɪd.'vʲi.dʲɛtʲ]

Note on Предвидеть: Stress falls on the third syllable ('dʲɛtʲ'). The prefix 'пред-' indicates foresight, which can make it challenging for learners due to its abstract nature.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To imagine or visualize something as a future possibility

Translation(s) & Context:

• Представлять - Used in creative or introspective contexts, such as planning or daydreaming.
• Предвидеть - Applied in predictive scenarios, like forecasting events or strategies.

Usage Examples:

• Я представляю себе, как наш проект изменит мир. (I envisage how our project will change the world.)

  This example shows 'представлять' in a future-oriented, imaginative context, often in personal or professional planning.

• В своих книгах автор предвидит будущие технологии. (In his books, the author envisages future technologies.)

  Here, 'предвидеть' is used for prophetic or analytical foresight, common in literature or discussions about innovation.

• Мы представляем, что эта реформа принесет положительные изменения. (We envisage that this reform will bring positive changes.)

  Illustrates 'представлять' in a group or formal setting, emphasizing collective visualization.

• Экономисты предвидят рост инфляции в ближайшие годы. (Economists envisage an increase in inflation in the coming years.)

  Demonstrates 'предвидеть' in professional or analytical contexts, highlighting predictive usage.

• Дети часто представляют себе волшебные приключения. (Children often envisage magical adventures.)

  Shows 'представлять' in everyday, informal scenarios, varying by age and creativity.

To contemplate or foresee something abstract

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предвидеть - Particularly in strategic or philosophical discussions.
• Представлять - In broader imaginative contexts, like art or design.

Usage Examples:

• Политики предвидят последствия своих решений. (Politicians envisage the consequences of their decisions.)

  This uses 'предвидеть' to show forward-thinking in decision-making processes.

• Художник представляет абстрактные формы в своих работах. (The artist envisages abstract forms in their works.)

  Here, 'представлять' is in a creative, visual context, differing from predictive use.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Представлять' and 'Предвидеть' are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns but have irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for 'Представлять' as an example; 'Предвидеть' follows similar patterns with slight variations.

For 'Предвидеть', the infinitive form is irregular in some aspects, but it conjugates similarly: e.g., Present: предвижу, предвидишь. These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form, which is unchanging.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Вообразить (to imagine suddenly), Визуализировать (to visualize clearly) - 'Вообразить' is more spontaneous, while 'Визуализировать' is technical.
• Antonyms: Игнорировать (to ignore), Отвергать (to reject)

Related Phrases:

• Представлять в уме - To envisage in one's mind (Meaning: Used for internal visualization, common in psychological or creative contexts)
• Предвидеть наперед - To foresee in advance (Meaning: Implies proactive planning, often in business or strategy)
• Представлять возможным - To envisage as possible (Meaning: Expresses feasibility in hypothetical scenarios)

Usage Notes:

'Envisage' corresponds most closely to 'представлять' when focusing on creative imagination and to 'предвидеть' for predictive foresight. Choose 'представлять' in personal or artistic contexts, as it conveys mental picturing, while 'предвидеть' is better for formal predictions. Be aware of aspect: both are imperfective, so they suit ongoing actions. In Russian, these verbs often require prepositions like 'себе' for reflexive use, which has no direct English equivalent.

• Avoid using these interchangeably; 'представлять' can imply subjectivity, whereas 'предвидеть' suggests objectivity based on evidence.
• In formal writing, pair with adverbs like 'чётко' (clearly) for emphasis.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'представлять' with its homonymous use meaning 'to introduce' (e.g., 'представлять кого-то' as 'to present someone'). For instance, a common mistake is saying 'Я представляю это как предвидение' instead of 'Я предвижу это', which incorrectly mixes the verbs. Correct usage: Use 'представлять' for imagination only, not introduction. Another error is neglecting verb aspects; learners might use the perfective 'представить' (to have imagined) when 'envisage' requires ongoing action, e.g., wrongly saying 'Я представил будущее' instead of 'Я представляю будущее' for 'I envisage the future'.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, envisaging the future is a prominent theme in literature, such as in the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky or Leo Tolstoy, where characters often 'представляют' or 'предвидят' moral and social changes. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on introspection and philosophical depth, making these verbs key in discussions of destiny and reform.

Related Concepts:

• Предсказание (prediction)
• Визуализация (visualization)
• Фантазия (fantasy)