Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'harmonise'

English Word: harmonise

Key Russian Translations:

• гармонизировать /ɡɐrmənʲɪzʲɪrəˈvatʲ/ - [Formal, Used in contexts involving coordination or agreement]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly used in professional, artistic, and diplomatic contexts but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal language structures, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гармонизировать: /ɡɐrmənʲɪzʲɪrəˈvatʲ/

Note on гармонизировать: The stress falls on the penultimate syllable ("va-"), which is a common feature in Russian verbs ending in -изировать. Be mindful of the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To bring into harmony, especially in music or sounds

Translation(s) & Context:

• гармонизировать - Used in musical or artistic contexts to describe making elements blend smoothly, often in formal settings like compositions or performances.

Usage Examples:

• Музыканты стараются гармонизировать мелодию с аккомпанементом.

  The musicians try to harmonise the melody with the accompaniment.

• В студии звукозаписи мы гармонизируем вокал и инструменты для лучшего звучания.

  In the recording studio, we harmonise the vocals and instruments for better sound.

• Композитор решил гармонизировать разные музыкальные темы в одну симфонию.

  The composer decided to harmonise different musical themes into one symphony.

• Чтобы выступление было идеальным, оркестр гармонизирует все инструменты заранее.

  To make the performance perfect, the orchestra harmonises all instruments in advance.

Meaning 2: To bring into agreement or coordination, in a general sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• гармонизировать - Applied in non-musical contexts like policy, design, or relationships, emphasizing alignment or balance, typically in formal or professional discourse.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство стремится гармонизировать налоговую политику с международными стандартами.

  The government strives to harmonise tax policy with international standards.

• Дизайнеры гармонизируют цвета в интерьере, чтобы создать уютную атмосферу.

  Designers harmonise colors in the interior to create a cozy atmosphere.

• В переговорах стороны пытаются гармонизировать свои позиции для достижения соглашения.

  In negotiations, the parties try to harmonise their positions to reach an agreement.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Гармонизировать" is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, derived from the borrowed root "гармония" (harmony). It follows regular patterns for verbs ending in -изировать, which are often intransitive or transitive based on context. The infinitive form is "гармонизировать," and it conjugates according to person, number, tense, and aspect. Note that it is imperfective by nature, meaning it describes ongoing or repeated actions.

Note: Gender agreement applies in the past tense (e.g., -л for masculine, -ла for feminine). This verb does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • согласовывать (soglasovyvat') - More general, used for aligning ideas or plans; less formal than гармонизировать.
  • унифицировать (unifitsirovat') - Emphasizes standardization, often in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • несогласовывать (nesoglasovyvat') - Implies a lack of coordination or conflict.
  • дисгармонировать (disgarmonirovat') - Directly opposite, meaning to create disharmony or discord.

Related Phrases:

• гармонизировать цвета - To harmonise colors; a common phrase in design and art, referring to creating a balanced palette.
• гармонизировать отношения - To harmonise relationships; used in interpersonal or diplomatic contexts to mean improving harmony between parties.
• гармонизировать политику - To harmonise policy; often in international relations, indicating the alignment of laws or strategies.

Usage Notes:

Гармонизировать is a direct borrowing from English/French roots and is used in Russian to mirror the concept of "harmonise" precisely, especially in formal or technical contexts. It is more common in written language than spoken, such as in reports, artistic critiques, or policy documents. When choosing between translations, opt for "гармонизировать" if the emphasis is on achieving balance or unity, as opposed to "согласовывать," which is broader. Be aware of aspect: it's imperfective, so it suits descriptions of processes rather than completed actions.

• In musical contexts, it pairs well with nouns like "мелодия" (melody) or "аккомпанемент" (accompaniment).
• Grammar note: Always use it with direct objects in transitive sentences, e.g., "гармонизировать элементы" (to harmonise elements).

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "гармонизировать" with "гармония" (harmony, a noun), leading learners to use it incorrectly as a noun. For example, incorrect: "Я хочу гармония в музыке" (I want harmony in music) – Correct: "Я хочу гармонизировать музыку" (I want to harmonise the music). Another error is improper conjugation, such as saying "гармонизируетс" instead of "гармонизирует" for third person singular. Always ensure subject-verb agreement and correct stress to avoid mispronunciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of harmony (гармония) is deeply tied to literature and music, influenced by figures like Tchaikovsky, who emphasized balanced compositions. Using "гармонизировать" in everyday language might evoke ideas of aesthetic or social equilibrium, reflecting Russia's historical appreciation for symmetry in art and philosophy, such as in Orthodox iconography or Soviet-era propaganda promoting unity.

Related Concepts:

• гармония (harmony)
• синтез (synthesis)
• баланс (balance)