Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'modulate'

English Word: modulate

Key Russian Translations:

• модулировать [mu.dʊ.lʲi.rə.vatʲ] - [Formal, Technical, Used in contexts like electronics or music]
• регулировать [rʲɪ.gu.lʲi.rə.vatʲ] - [Formal, General, Used for broader adjustments, not specifically technical]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in technical, scientific, or musical contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of technical vocabulary and verb conjugations. For "регулировать", it may be slightly easier at B1 due to its more general use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

модулировать: [mu.dʊ.lʲi.rə.vatʲ]

Note on модулировать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ду"). Be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) which affects the pronunciation of the preceding consonant, making it palatalized. This verb is often challenging for English speakers due to its technical origins.

регулировать: [rʲɪ.gu.lʲi.rə.vatʲ]

Note on регулировать: Stress is on the third syllable ("ли"). The initial "р" is rolled, which is standard in Russian but may require practice for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To adjust or regulate the tone, pitch, or signal (e.g., in music, speech, or electronics)

Translation(s) & Context:

• модулировать - Used in technical or musical contexts, such as modulating a radio signal or voice pitch for emphasis.
• регулировать - Applied in everyday or general contexts, like adjusting volume or settings, but can overlap with "модулировать" in technical scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• В радиоэлектронике инженеры модулируют сигнал для передачи данных.

  In radio electronics, engineers modulate the signal to transmit data.

• Певец умеет модулировать свой голос, чтобы выразить разные эмоции.

  The singer knows how to modulate his voice to express different emotions.

• Для лучшего звучания музыкант регулирует частоту волн в инструменте.

  To achieve better sound, the musician regulates the frequency of waves in the instrument.

• В повседневной речи оратор регулирует тон, чтобы завоевать внимание аудитории.

  In everyday speech, the speaker modulates the tone to capture the audience's attention.

• Техник модулирует амплитуду сигнала для устранения помех.

  The technician modulates the amplitude of the signal to eliminate interference.

To change or vary something gradually (e.g., in a non-technical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• регулировать - Preferred in general contexts, such as adjusting settings or behaviors, where precision is key but not necessarily technical.

Usage Examples:

• Она регулирует скорость автомобиля в зависимости от дорожных условий.

  She modulates the speed of the car depending on road conditions.

• Учитель регулирует уровень объяснений для разных учеников.

  The teacher modulates the level of explanations for different students.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "модулировать" and "регулировать" are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, following regular patterns but with some specifics due to their stems. They are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a table for their present tense inflections; full conjugation includes aspects like past, future, and imperatives.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular inflections but require attention to the vowel changes in certain forms. For perfective aspects, related forms like "смодулировать" or "отрегулировать" might be used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • изменять (izmenyat') - To change; more general and less precise than "модулировать".
  • настраивать (nastravivat') - To tune or set up; often used in musical or device contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • не изменять (ne izmenyat') - Not to change; implies maintaining the original state.
  • фиксировать (fiksirovat') - To fix or stabilize; opposite in the sense of preventing modulation.

Related Phrases:

• Амплитудная модуляция - Amplitude modulation; a technical term used in signal processing to describe varying the amplitude of a carrier wave.
• Модулировать частоту - To modulate frequency; commonly used in electronics for adjusting wave frequencies.
• Голосовая модуляция - Voice modulation; refers to altering speech patterns for effect, such as in public speaking.

Usage Notes:

"Модулировать" directly corresponds to the technical English meaning of "modulate," especially in fields like telecommunications or music, and is best used in formal, professional contexts. "Регулировать" is a broader equivalent, suitable for everyday adjustments, but avoid it if the context demands precision in signal processing. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require aspect pairs (imperfective/perfective), so pair these with perfective forms like "смодулировать" for completed actions. In spoken Russian, these verbs might vary by region, with more formal usage in urban or educational settings.

Common Errors:

• Incorrect: Using "модулировать" in non-technical contexts, e.g., saying "Я модулирую свой график" (I modulate my schedule) instead of "Я регулирую свой график" – Error because "модулировать" implies electronic or wave-based adjustment, not simple scheduling. Correct: "Я регулирую свой график." Explanation: Confusing the technical specificity; opt for "регулировать" for general changes.

• Incorrect: Misconjugating the verb, e.g., saying "Он модулируетс" instead of "Он модулирует" – Error due to forgetting the correct ending. Correct: "Он модулирует." Explanation: Russian verbs follow strict conjugation rules; always check the person and number for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "модулировать" are heavily influenced by Soviet-era advancements in science and technology, such as radio and space exploration. This reflects Russia's historical emphasis on engineering, where precise language for modulation was crucial in innovations like Sputnik. Understanding these terms can help English speakers appreciate the cultural value placed on technical precision in Russian communication.

Related Concepts:

• Демодуляция (demodulation)
• Амплитуда (amplitude)
• Частота (frequency)