Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'epitomise'

English Word: epitomise

Key Russian Translations:

• воплощать [vəplɐˈʂatʲ] - [Formal]
• символизировать [sʲɪmbəlʲɪˈzʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, often in metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, academic writing, and formal discussions, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves abstract concepts and requires understanding of verb conjugations; for 'символизировать', it may lean towards B2-C1 due to its nuanced usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

воплощать: [vəplɐˈʂatʲ]

Note on воплощать: The stress falls on the second syllable ('plo'), and the 'щ' sound is a soft, palatalized fricative, which can be challenging for beginners. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

символизировать: [sʲɪmbəlʲɪˈzʲirəvətʲ]

Note on символизировать: The initial 'sʲ' is a soft 's' sound, and the word has a rolling rhythm; focus on the stressed syllable 'zi' for accurate emphasis.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To be a perfect example or embodiment of something

Translation(s) & Context:

• воплощать - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe something that perfectly represents or embodies an idea, such as a person exemplifying a virtue.
• символизировать - Applied when the word implies symbolic representation, often in artistic or philosophical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот художник воплощает дух эпохи Возрождения в своих картинах.

  This artist epitomises the spirit of the Renaissance in his paintings.

• Её поведение символизирует идеалы мужества и стойкости.

  Her behavior epitomises the ideals of courage and resilience.

• Город воплощает современную архитектуру, сочетая традиции и инновации.

  The city epitomises modern architecture, blending traditions and innovations.

• Этот фильм символизирует борьбу за свободу в историческом контексте.

  This film epitomises the struggle for freedom in a historical context.

• Лидер воплощает ценности демократии в своей повседневной работе.

  The leader epitomises democratic values in his daily work, showcasing the verb in a professional setting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'воплощать' and 'символизировать' are verbs in Russian, belonging to the first conjugation group. They follow regular patterns but have specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. 'Воплощать' is imperfective, while 'символизировать' can be used in imperfective forms.

Note: These verbs are regular but may require aspectual pairs for perfective forms (e.g., 'воплотить' for perfective of 'воплощать'). They do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • олицетворять (olitsvetvorjat') - Similar to 'воплощать' but often used for personification; implies a more literal embodiment.
  • представлять (predstavlyat') - General synonym, used in broader contexts without the same depth of perfection.
• Antonyms:
  • отрицать (otritsat') - Directly opposes by denying or negating the essence.
  • противоречить (protivorechit') - Implies contradiction, contrasting with the idea of perfect representation.

Related Phrases:

• воплощать в жизнь - To bring to life or realize in practice; used for turning ideas into reality.
• символизировать эпоху - To epitomise an era; common in historical or cultural discussions.
• воплощать идеалы - To embody ideals; often seen in motivational or philosophical contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Воплощать' directly corresponds to 'epitomise' in formal English contexts, emphasizing perfection or full representation, while 'символизировать' is better for symbolic or metaphorical uses. Both are typically restricted to written or formal spoken Russian; avoid in casual conversations. When choosing between translations, opt for 'воплощать' for tangible embodiments and 'символизировать' for abstract ones. Grammatically, these verbs require agreement with the subject in person and number, and they often pair with nouns like 'идеалы' (ideals) or 'дух' (spirit).

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'воплощать' with 'воплощать в жизнь': Learners might overuse the phrase, thinking it's always needed. Error: "Я воплощать в жизнь идею" (incorrect structure). Correct: "Я воплощаю идею в жизнь." Explanation: Always conjugate the verb properly and include prepositions where necessary for clarity.

• Mixing with English word order: A common mistake is placing the object before the verb, e.g., "Идеалы воплощать человек" instead of "Человек воплощает идеалы." Explanation: Russian follows subject-verb-object structure, so ensure logical word order to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'воплощать' often appear in discussions of literature and art, reflecting the influence of figures like Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where characters 'epitomise' moral dilemmas. This highlights Russia's emphasis on philosophical depth in everyday language, encouraging users to explore Russian classics for contextual understanding.

Related Concepts:

• идеал (ideal)
• олицетворение (personification)
• символ (symbol)