Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'multiply'

English Word: multiply

Key Russian Translations:

• умножать [ʊmnɐˈʐatʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in mathematical and technical contexts]
• размножать [rəzmɐˈnoʂatʲ] - [Informal, used in biological or reproductive contexts, e.g., multiplying cells or organisms]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in educational, scientific, and everyday mathematical discussions, but not as frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual usage. For 'умножать', it's straightforward for math, but 'размножать' may require more nuance in biological contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

умножать: [ʊmnɐˈʐatʲ]

размножать: [rəzmɐˈnoʂatʲ]

Note on умножать: The stress is on the second syllable ('ʐatʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'r' and soft 'tʲ' sounds. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on размножать: Pay attention to the soft 'sh' sound in 'ʂatʲ', which is similar to English 'sh' but more palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To increase in number through multiplication (mathematical context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• умножать - Used in formal mathematical or educational settings, such as calculating products in arithmetic.

Usage Examples:

• Умножьте 5 на 3, чтобы получить результат.

  Multiply 5 by 3 to get the result.

• В уроке мы учимся умножать числа в столбик.

  In the lesson, we learn to multiply numbers in columns.

• Эта формула помогает умножать переменные для решения уравнения.

  This formula helps multiply variables to solve the equation.

• Чтобы найти площадь, умножьте длину на ширину.

  To find the area, multiply the length by the width.

Meaning 2: To reproduce or increase in number (biological or general increase context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• размножать - Applied in contexts involving growth, reproduction, or propagation, such as in biology or everyday descriptions of expansion.

Usage Examples:

• Бактерии размножаются быстро в теплой среде.

  Bacteria multiply quickly in a warm environment.

• Весной растения начинают размножаться и заполнять сад.

  In spring, plants begin to multiply and fill the garden.

• Если не контролировать, вредители могут размножаться и разрушить урожай.

  If not controlled, pests can multiply and destroy the harvest.

• В лаборатории ученые размножают клетки для исследований.

  In the laboratory, scientists multiply cells for research.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. 'Умножать' is an imperfective verb, while related forms like 'умножить' are perfective. 'Размножать' is also imperfective.

Note: These verbs are regular but require attention to aspect (imperfective for ongoing actions). For perfective forms, use 'умножить' or 'размножить' for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Увеличить (to increase; more general than умножать, often used for non-mathematical growth)
  • Произвести (to produce or multiply in a mathematical sense, with a focus on result)
• Antonyms:
  • Уменьшать (to decrease or divide, opposite of multiplying numbers)
  • Сокращать (to reduce, especially in contexts of reproduction or growth)

Related Phrases:

• Умножить на - Meaning: To multiply by (e.g., in math equations; used as "Умножьте это число на два" - Multiply this number by two)
• Размножаться в геометрической прогрессии - Meaning: To multiply geometrically (refers to rapid exponential growth, common in scientific discussions)
• Клеточное размножение - Meaning: Cell multiplication (a biological term for reproduction at a cellular level)

Usage Notes:

The English word 'multiply' corresponds most directly to 'умножать' in mathematical contexts, where precision is key. In Russian, verb aspect is crucial: use imperfective 'умножать' for ongoing processes and perfective 'умножить' for completed actions. For biological meanings, 'размножать' is preferred but is more informal and context-specific. English speakers should note that Russian verbs change based on subject, so always conjugate correctly. When choosing between translations, opt for 'умножать' in educational settings and 'размножать' in natural sciences to match the precise domain.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'умножать' interchangeably with 'размножать' without context. For example, an English speaker might say "Умножать клетки" (meaning to multiply cells), which is incorrect as it implies math.

  Correct: "Размножать клетки" - Explanation: 'Размножать' is the appropriate verb for biological reproduction, avoiding confusion with numerical operations.

• Error: Neglecting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "Я умножает" instead of "Я умножаю".

  Correct: "Я умножаю" - Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number; this is a common oversight for beginners from non-conjugated languages like English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and education, mathematical terms like 'умножать' are emphasized early in schooling, reflecting the importance of STEM fields in Russian society. However, 'размножать' in biological contexts may carry undertones of growth and resilience, often linked to historical themes of expansion in Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy where population growth is depicted.

Related Concepts:

• Делить (to divide)
• Слагать (to add)
• Вычитать (to subtract)
• Клеточное деление (cell division)