Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'levitate'

English Word: levitate

Key Russian Translations:

• левитировать /lʲɪvʲɪtʲɪrəvatʲ/ - [Formal, Literary]
• поднимать в воздух /pədnʲímatʲ v vózduх/ - [Informal, Descriptive]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian; they appear more in scientific, magical, or literary contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for 'левитировать' due to its borrowed status and verb conjugation; A2 for 'поднимать в воздух' as it's more basic.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

левитировать: /lʲɪvʲɪtʲɪrəvatʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'л' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian verbs.)

поднимать в воздух: /pədnʲímatʲ v vózduх/ (Stress on the 'í' in 'поднимать'; 'в' before 'воздух' softens the pronunciation.)

Note on левитировать: This is a borrowed word from English/Latin, so non-native speakers may struggle with the palatalized consonants. Practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cause something to rise and float in the air, often in a supernatural or magical context.

Translation(s) & Context:

• левитировать - Used in formal, scientific, or fantasy contexts, such as describing magic tricks or physics experiments.
• поднимать в воздух - Applied in everyday or informal descriptions, like in children's stories or casual explanations.

Usage Examples:

• Волшебник смог левитировать книгу над камином.

  The wizard was able to levitate the book above the fireplace.

• В фильме герой поднимать в воздух предметы силой мысли.

  In the movie, the hero levitates objects using the power of his mind.

• Учёные пытаются левитировать частицы в лабораторных условиях.

  Scientists are trying to levitate particles in laboratory conditions.

• Дети любят поднимать в воздух воздушные шарики на вечеринках.

  Children love to levitate balloons in the air at parties (more metaphorical or playful use).

• В мистическом ритуале шаман левитировать камни для демонстрации силы.

  In the mystical ritual, the shaman levitates stones to demonstrate power.

To metaphorically elevate or make something seem weightless (e.g., in emotional or abstract senses).

Translation(s) & Context:

• левитировать - Rare in metaphorical use, often in poetic or artistic contexts.
• поднимать в воздух - Can be used metaphorically for lifting spirits or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Её улыбка может левитировать любое настроение.

  Her smile can levitate any mood (make it lighter or more positive).

• Музыка помогает поднимать в воздух усталость после долгого дня.

  Music helps to levitate fatigue after a long day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'левитировать' (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard Russian verb patterns with irregularities due to its borrowed nature. It is intransitive in most uses.

For 'поднимать в воздух' (a phrase), 'поднимать' is a verb that conjugates regularly, while 'в воздух' remains invariant. No significant inflections for the phrase as a whole.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возносить (to elevate or lift up; often used in a more spiritual context)
  • поднимать (to lift; more general and everyday)
• Antonyms:
  • опускать (to lower or drop)
  • падать (to fall)

Related Phrases:

• Левитация воздуха - Levitation of air (refers to a scientific or magical phenomenon where air is made to support objects).
• Поднимать на уровень - To elevate to a level (metaphorical use in discussions of status or achievement).
• Воздушная левитация - Air levitation (common in contexts like circus performances or physics).

Usage Notes:

'Левитировать' is a direct borrowing from English and is best used in formal or specialized contexts, such as literature or science, to match the precise meaning of 'levitate'. Avoid it in casual conversation where 'поднимать в воздух' might be more natural. Note the verb's conjugation requires attention to gender and number in past tense. When choosing between translations, opt for 'левитировать' for supernatural connotations and 'поднимать в воздух' for physical or everyday lifting.

• In sentences, ensure subject-verb agreement, as Russian verbs change based on person and number.
• This word pair is not commonly used in phone conversations or informal chats; it's more suited for written or educational contexts.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse the past tense of 'левитировать' by forgetting gender agreement, e.g., saying "Она левитировал" (incorrect; should be "Она левитировала" for feminine subject). Correct: "Она левитировала книгу" (She levitated the book). Another error is overusing 'левитировать' in casual settings; instead of "Я левитировать яблоко" (awkward and incorrect phrasing), use "Я подниму яблоко в воздух" for better flow. Explanation: Russian requires proper case and aspect, so always check verb forms against the context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'левитация' are often linked to folklore, such as stories of witches or shamans performing feats of levitation, drawing from Slavic mythology. This ties into broader themes of magic and the supernatural in Russian literature, like in works by Pushkin or modern fantasy, emphasizing a cultural fascination with the mystical over the scientific.

Related Concepts:

• Магическая левитация
• Воздушные трюки
• Научная левитация