Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'loosen'

English Word: loosen

Key Russian Translations:

• ослабить /ɐsˈɫabʲɪtʲ/ - [Verb, Formal or Informal, used in general contexts]
• развязать /rəzvʲɪˈzatʲ/ - [Verb, Informal, Used when referring to untying knots or physical loosening]
• расслабить /rəsɫɐˈbʲɪtʲ/ - [Verb, Informal, Often used in contexts of relaxing muscles or tensions]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive or instructional language, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "делать").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual usage. For 'ослабить', it's B1; for 'развязать', it might be A2 for beginners due to its straightforward application.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ослабить: /ɐsˈɫabʲɪtʲ/

Note on ослабить: The stress falls on the second syllable ('sla'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'b' sound (palatalized). Pay attention to the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

развязать: /rəzvʲɪˈzatʲ/

Note on развязать: The 'z' is voiced and followed by a palatalized 'v', making it distinct; common in spoken Russian for physical actions.

расслабить: /rəsɫɐˈbʲɪtʲ/

Note on расслабить: Similar to 'ослабить', but with a softer 's' sound; often used in health or emotional contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make something less tight or secure (e.g., loosening a screw)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ослабить - Used in mechanical or figurative contexts, such as loosening a grip or reducing pressure.
• развязать - Applied specifically to knots or bindings, in everyday or literal scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Я ослабил гайку, чтобы открыть крышку.

  I loosened the nut to open the lid.

• Он развязал шнурки на ботинках после долгой прогулки.

  He loosened the shoelaces on his boots after a long walk.

• Механик ослабил болты для ремонта двигателя.

  The mechanic loosened the bolts to repair the engine.

• Развязав узел, она освободила пакет.

  By loosening the knot, she freed the package.

To relax or ease tension (e.g., loosening muscles)

Translation(s) & Context:

• расслабить - Common in health, emotional, or physical relaxation contexts.
• ослабить - Used metaphorically for reducing stress or intensity.

Usage Examples:

• Йога помогает расслабить мышцы после тренировки.

  Yoga helps loosen the muscles after a workout.

• Она попыталась ослабить напряжение в разговоре, улыбнувшись.

  She tried to loosen the tension in the conversation by smiling.

• Доктор посоветовал расслабить спину, чтобы избежать боли.

  The doctor advised to loosen the back to avoid pain.

• Расслабив хватку, он почувствовал облегчение.

  By loosening his grip, he felt relief.

• Музыка помогает ослабить стресс в повседневной жизни.

  Music helps loosen stress in everyday life.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Ослабить' and 'развязать' are imperfective verbs, while 'расслабить' can be used in perfective contexts. Russian verbs have imperfective and perfective aspects; for example, 'ослабить' is imperfective, and its perfective counterpart is 'ослабить' in certain forms.

These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs in Russian. They do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward once the patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • освободить (osvobodit' – to free or release, often interchangeable in loosening contexts)
  • разжать (razzhat' – to unclench, with a nuance of physical release)
• Antonyms:
  • закрепить (zakrepit' – to fasten or secure)
  • усилить (usilit' – to strengthen or tighten)

Note: 'Освободить' is a synonym but may imply a more complete release, while 'закрепить' is a direct opposite in contexts involving physical fastening.

Related Phrases:

• Ослабить хватку – To loosen one's grip (used metaphorically for reducing control or tension).
• Развязать узел – To untie a knot (common in literal or problem-solving contexts).
• Расслабить атмосферу – To loosen the atmosphere (refers to making a situation more relaxed socially).

Usage Notes:

The English word 'loosen' corresponds most closely to 'ослабить' in general usage, but choose 'развязать' for physical untying and 'расслабить' for emotional or muscular relaxation. In Russian, these verbs are aspectual, so consider whether the action is ongoing (imperfective) or completed (perfective). They are versatile across formal and informal settings, but 'развязать' might sound more casual. Always pair with appropriate prepositions, like 'ослабить на' for 'loosen on', to match English structures.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'ослабить' with 'освободить', thinking they mean the same thing. Error: Using 'освободить' for simply making something less tight (e.g., "Я освободил гайку" instead of "Я ослабил гайку"). Correct: 'Ослабить' implies partial loosening, while 'освободить' suggests full release. Explanation: This can lead to miscommunication in technical contexts.

• Mixing up conjugations, such as using the wrong person (e.g., saying 'ослабить' instead of 'ослабляешь' for 'you loosen'). Error: "Ты ослабить дверь" (incorrect). Correct: "Ты ослабляешь дверь". Explanation: Russian verbs require agreement in person and number, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'расслабить атмосферу' are often used in social settings to encourage openness, reflecting the value placed on community and emotional expression. However, 'ослабить' in a metaphorical sense might appear in literature or proverbs to discuss themes of control and freedom, such as in historical contexts of revolution.

Related Concepts:

• закрепить
• напрячь
• освободить