Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'insure'

English Word: insure

Key Russian Translations:

• страховать [strɐˈxovətʲ] - [Formal, used in legal and financial contexts]
• застраховать [zəstrɐˈxovətʲ] - [Formal, perfective aspect, used for completing the action of insuring]

Frequency: Medium (Common in business, insurance, and everyday financial discussions, but not as frequent as everyday verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb aspects and financial terminology, with "страховать" being standard and "застраховать" adding nuance for intermediate learners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

страховать: [strɐˈxovətʲ]

застраховать: [zəstrɐˈxovətʲ]

Note on страховать: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'тʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To arrange insurance for property, life, or risks (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• страховать - Used in ongoing or general contexts, such as discussing insurance policies in everyday or professional settings.
• застраховать - Used for completed actions, like finalizing an insurance contract, often in formal documents or negotiations.

Usage Examples:

• Я страхую свой автомобиль каждый год, чтобы избежать финансовых потерь в случае аварии.

  I insure my car every year to avoid financial losses in case of an accident.

• Компания застраховала все оборудование перед началом строительства.

  The company insured all the equipment before starting the construction.

• Многие люди страхую свои дома от пожаров и наводнений в России.

  Many people insure their homes against fires and floods in Russia.

• Он застраховал жизнь, чтобы обеспечить семью в случае непредвиденных обстоятельств.

  He insured his life to provide for his family in case of unforeseen circumstances.

• Страховать имущество онлайн стало проще благодаря современным приложениям.

  Insuring property online has become easier thanks to modern apps.

To ensure protection or security (less common, sometimes overlapping with 'ensure')

Translation(s) & Context:

• страховать - In metaphorical contexts, though less direct, e.g., ensuring safety.

Usage Examples:

• Эта система страхует данные от хакерских атак.

  This system insures data against hacker attacks.

• Правительство страхует интересы граждан через социальные программы.

  The government insures citizens' interests through social programs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "страховать" and "застраховать" are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian. They follow imperfective ("страховать") and perfective ("застраховать") aspects, which is crucial for expressing ongoing vs. completed actions. Russian verbs change based on tense, person, number, and gender.

Note: These verbs are regular but require attention to aspect for correct usage. They do not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обеспечивать (obespechivat') - More general, meaning to provide or ensure, but less specific to insurance.
  • гарантировать (garantirovat') - Implies guaranteeing protection, with subtle differences in legal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • рисковать (riskovat') - To take a risk, opposite in the context of avoiding loss.
  • не страховать (ne strakhovat') - Simply not insuring, though not a direct antonym.

Related Phrases:

• Заключить страховой полис - To sign an insurance policy; used in formal agreements for comprehensive coverage.
• Страхование жизни - Life insurance; a common phrase in financial planning contexts.
• Автострахование - Auto insurance; refers to insuring vehicles, prevalent in everyday Russian life.

Usage Notes:

"Insure" in English specifically relates to financial protection, and its Russian equivalents like "страховать" mirror this closely. Use "страховать" for ongoing actions and "застраховать" for completed ones to align with Russian aspect rules. In formal contexts, such as business or legal documents, these verbs are preferred. Be cautious of regional variations; in Russia, insurance terminology can include bureaucratic elements. When choosing between translations, opt for "страховать" in general discussions and "застраховать" when emphasizing completion.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "insure" with "ensure": English learners might use "страховать" when they mean "обеспечивать" (to ensure something happens). Error: "Я страхую, что приеду вовремя" (incorrect). Correct: "Я обеспечиваю, что приеду вовремя" or rephrase for accuracy. Explanation: "Страховать" is for insurance, not general assurance.

• Ignoring verb aspects: Forgetting to use the perfective form. Error: "Я страхую машину завтра" (implies ongoing). Correct: "Я застрахую машину завтра" for a future completed action. Explanation: This ensures the sentence reflects intent properly in Russian grammar.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, insurance ("страхование") is deeply tied to state-run systems and historical contexts, such as Soviet-era mandatory policies. It often carries connotations of security against life's uncertainties, influenced by economic instability, making phrases like "страховать жизнь" not just practical but culturally symbolic of family protection in a volatile society.

Related Concepts:

• страхование
• полис
• риск
• гарантия