Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intertwine'

English Word: intertwine

Key Russian Translations:

• переплетаться [pʌrʲɪˈplʲɛtət͡sə] - [Informal, used for abstract or literal entanglement, e.g., ideas or threads]
• свить вместе [svʲitʲ vʲɪˈsmʲestʲɪ] - [Formal, often in literary contexts for weaving or combining elements]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, conversations about relationships, or descriptions of physical objects, but not everyday casual speech).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and reflexive forms, which can be challenging for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

переплетаться: [pʌrʲɪˈplʲɛtət͡sə]

Note on переплетаться: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it palatalized. This is a common challenge for English speakers.

свить вместе: [svʲitʲ vʲɪˈsmʲestʲɪ]

Note on свить вместе: Pronounce the 'в' as a voiced labiodental fricative; the phrase is often contracted in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Literal Meaning: To twist or weave together physically (e.g., threads, ropes).

Translation(s) & Context:

• переплетаться - Used in contexts involving physical entanglement, such as in crafts or nature (e.g., vines intertwining).
• свить вместе - Applied in formal or descriptive settings, like in poetry or technical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Ветви деревьев переплетаются над дорогой, создавая естественный туннель.

  The branches of the trees intertwine over the road, creating a natural tunnel.

• Художник сваял вместе нити разных цветов, чтобы создать уникальный узор.

  The artist wove together threads of different colors to create a unique pattern.

• В старом саду лианы переплетаются с цветами, образуя живописный ковер.

  In the old garden, vines intertwine with flowers, forming a picturesque carpet.

• Дети научились сывать вместе веревки для игры в паутину.

  The children learned to intertwine ropes for a spiderweb game.

Figurative Meaning: To become interconnected or mixed in an abstract sense (e.g., ideas, lives, or relationships).

Translation(s) & Context:

• переплетаться - Common in metaphorical contexts, such as emotions or stories intertwining.
• свить вместе - Used for more deliberate or planned interconnections, like in narratives or alliances.

Usage Examples:

• В романе судьбы героев переплетаются, раскрывая сложные человеческие связи.

  In the novel, the characters' fates intertwine, revealing complex human connections.

• Их жизни свиты вместе через годы совместной работы.

  Their lives have intertwined through years of joint work.

• Идеи ученых переплетаются, ведущие к прорыву в исследованиях.

  The scientists' ideas intertwine, leading to a breakthrough in research.

• В повседневной жизни эмоции часто сваются вместе, вызывая смешанные чувства.

  In everyday life, emotions often intertwine, causing mixed feelings.

• Две культуры переплетаются в этом фестивале, показывая гармонию различий.

  The two cultures intertwine in this festival, showcasing the harmony of differences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, and Russian verbs exhibit conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Переплетаться" is a reflexive verb (ending in -ся), while "свить вместе" is a phrase involving an infinitive verb.

For "переплетаться" (imperfective aspect):

"Свить вместе" is not inflected as a single verb but follows the conjugation of "свить" (perfective aspect). For example: я свил, ты свила, etc. It remains stable as a phrase.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • запутываться (to get tangled, with a connotation of confusion)
  • смешиваться (to mix, for less structured intertwining)
  • сливаться (to merge, implying a smoother blend)
• Antonyms:
  • разделяться (to separate)
  • разрываться (to tear apart)

Related Phrases:

• Переплетенные судьбы - Intertwined fates (used in storytelling to describe linked life paths).
• Свить гнездо вместе - To build a nest together (metaphorically for starting a family or partnership).
• Переплетение нитей - Intertwining of threads (common in artistic or literal weaving contexts).

Usage Notes:

• Choose "переплетаться" for more dynamic, ongoing processes, as it reflects the imperfective aspect, making it ideal for descriptions in narratives.
• "Свить вместе" is perfective and suits completed actions, often in formal or poetic language; it's less common in casual speech.
• Be cautious with reflexive forms like "-ся" in "переплетаться," which imply mutual action—similar to English reflexive verbs.
• In Russian, these verbs often appear in idiomatic expressions, so context is key to matching the English "intertwine" accurately.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "переплетаться" without the reflexive ending, e.g., saying "переплетать" instead, which means "to intertwine something else" non-reflexively.
  Correct: переплетаются (they intertwine themselves).
  Explanation: This changes the meaning to an active form; always include "-ся" for mutual action.
• Error: Confusing with "смешивать" (to mix), which is less specific to twisting.
  Correct: Use "свить вместе" for precise intertwining.
  Explanation: "Смешивать" implies blending without structure, leading to vagueness in translation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, concepts of intertwined fates (e.g., переплетенные судьбы) often symbolize the interconnectedness of human lives and destiny, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective experience over individualism.

Related Concepts:

• связь (connection)
• узел (knot)
• гармония (harmony)