Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'extermination'

English Word: extermination

Key Russian Translations:

• истребление [IPA: ɪsˈtrʲeblʲɪnʲɪje] - [Formal, used in contexts involving large-scale destruction]
• экстерминация [IPA: ɛk.stɛr.mʲɪˈna.tsɨ.jə] - [Formal, borrowed from English, often in scientific or technical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in formal writing, environmental reports, or historical contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun inflections; for 'истребление', it's straightforward for learners at this level, while 'экстерминация' may be slightly harder due to its borrowed nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

истребление: [IPA: ɪsˈtrʲeblʲɪnʲɪje]

экстерминация: [IPA: ɛk.stɛr.mʲɪˈna.tsɨ.jə]

Note on истребление: The stress falls on the third syllable ('blʲɪnʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'l' sound. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing rhythm.

Note on экстерминация: This word retains a more Latin-influenced pronunciation, with emphasis on the fourth syllable; be mindful of the soft 'ts' sound at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of completely destroying or eliminating, especially pests, animals, or populations.

Translation(s) & Context:

• истребление - Used in formal, historical, or environmental contexts, such as discussing pest control or genocide; implies a systematic process.
• экстерминация - Applied in scientific or modern technical contexts, like pest management in agriculture; often carries a neutral or clinical tone.

Usage Examples:

• В городе проводится истребление грызунов для предотвращения эпидемий.

  In the city, extermination of rodents is being carried out to prevent epidemics. (Shows usage in a public health context with a formal noun.)

• Экстерминация вредителей в сельском хозяйстве помогает повысить урожайность.

  Extermination of pests in agriculture helps increase crop yields. (Illustrates application in a technical, professional setting.)

• Историки изучают массовое истребление во время войны.

  Historians study mass extermination during the war. (Demonstrates use in historical or wartime contexts, emphasizing scale.)

• Экстерминация насекомых в доме требует профессиональных услуг.

  Extermination of insects in the home requires professional services. (Highlights everyday practical application with a borrowed term.)

• Правительство объявило о программе истребления опасных животных в заповеднике.

  The government announced a program for extermination of dangerous animals in the reserve. (Shows usage in environmental policy, with inflection for genitive case.)

A metaphorical or extended meaning: Complete eradication of ideas, threats, or influences.

Translation(s) & Context:

• истребление - In metaphorical contexts, such as politics or philosophy; implies thorough elimination.
• экстерминация - Less common metaphorically, but used in discussions of ideological threats.

Usage Examples:

• В обществе происходит истребление старых традиций под влиянием модернизации.

  In society, extermination of old traditions is occurring under the influence of modernization. (Example of metaphorical use in cultural discussions.)

• Экстерминация ложных идей необходима для научного прогресса.

  Extermination of false ideas is necessary for scientific progress. (Shows abstract application in intellectual contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'истребление' and 'экстерминация' are neuter nouns in Russian, following standard inflection patterns. 'Истребление' is a second-declension noun, while 'экстерминация' is less common and often treated as indeclinable in modern usage due to its borrowed origin.

For 'истребление' (regular inflection):

For 'экстерминация' (often indeclinable):

It remains unchanged in most cases: Nominative/Accusative: экстерминация; other cases typically use the same form, e.g., Genitive: экстерминации (but varies by context).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уничтожение (unichtozheniye) - More general term for destruction, often interchangeable in everyday contexts.
  • элиминация (eliminatsiya) - Similar to extermination but with a focus on removal in scientific or strategic settings; slight nuance toward precision.
• Antonyms:
  • сохранение (soxraneniye) - Preservation or conservation, emphasizing protection rather than elimination.
  • защита (zashchita) - Protection, used when safeguarding against threats.

Related Phrases:

• Массовое истребление - Mass extermination; used in historical or wartime contexts to describe large-scale events.
• Экстерминация вредителей - Extermination of pests; common in agricultural or household discussions, implying targeted action.
• Полное истребление - Complete extermination; emphasizes totality, often in metaphorical or environmental phrases.

Usage Notes:

'Истребление' is the more idiomatic and frequently used translation for 'extermination' in Russian, especially in formal or literary contexts, as it aligns closely with native Russian vocabulary. Choose 'экстерминация' when discussing technical or borrowed terms, such as in biology or international affairs, to maintain a neutral tone. Be cautious with grammatical gender and case: as a neuter noun, it requires agreement in adjectives and verbs. In spoken Russian, these words are rare in informal settings; opt for simpler synonyms like 'уничтожение' in casual conversation. When translating from English, ensure the context specifies intent (e.g., literal vs. metaphorical) to select the appropriate Russian equivalent.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'истребление' interchangeably with 'уничтожение' without considering nuance. Incorrect: "Истребление дома" (which is grammatically wrong as it implies destroying a house in a targeted way). Correct: "Уничтожение дома" for general destruction, or "Истребление вредителей в доме" for pest extermination. Explanation: 'Истребление' implies systematic elimination, so it's not suitable for inanimate objects.
• Mistake: Forgetting noun inflections, e.g., using nominative in all cases. Incorrect: "О истребление" instead of "Об истреблении". Correct: Adjust for prepositional case as "Об истреблении". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English learners often overlook, leading to awkward phrasing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and history, terms like 'истребление' carry heavy connotations due to events such as the Stalinist purges or World War II, where mass extermination was a tragic reality. This word is often used in educational and memorial contexts to discuss genocide or environmental loss, evoking a sense of gravity and reflection on human impacts.

Related Concepts:

• геноцид (genotsid)
• уничтожение (unichtozheniye)
• элиминация (eliminatsiya)