Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'neutralise'

English Word: neutralise

Key Russian Translations:

• нейтрализовать [nʲɪ.trə.lʲɪ.zɐ.'vatʲ] - [Formal, Verb; Used in contexts like military, chemistry, or general neutralization]
• нейтрализованный [nʲɪ.trə.lʲɪ.zɐ.'van.nɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; Used to describe something that has been neutralized, e.g., in scientific or technical discussions]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in specialized fields like science, military, and diplomacy, but less so in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage. For 'нейтрализовать', it's B2 due to its irregular aspects; for 'нейтрализованный', it's also B2 as an adjective with potential agreement rules.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

нейтрализовать: [nʲɪ.trə.lʲɪ.zɐ.'vatʲ] (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

нейтрализованный: [nʲɪ.trə.lʲɪ.zɐ.'van.nɨj] (Stress on the fourth syllable; pay attention to the soft sign 'ннɨй' for proper Russian intonation.)

Note on нейтрализовать: This verb often undergoes voicing assimilation in spoken Russian, e.g., the 'з' might soften in rapid speech. Variations exist in dialects, but standard pronunciation is as above.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To make something ineffective, harmless, or neutral (e.g., in military or conflict resolution contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нейтрализовать - Used in formal or professional settings to describe rendering a threat inactive, such as in espionage or warfare. Context: Military reports or strategic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Агенты быстро нейтрализовали опасного преступника.

  Agents quickly neutralised the dangerous criminal.

• Во время операции войска смогли нейтрализовать вражеские позиции.

  During the operation, the troops were able to neutralise enemy positions.

• Правительство нейтрализовало угрозу путём дипломатических переговоров.

  The government neutralised the threat through diplomatic negotiations.

• Специалисты нейтрализовали бомбу, не причинив вреда окружающим.

  Specialists neutralised the bomb without harming the surroundings.

Meaning 2: To counteract or balance something, often in a chemical or scientific context (e.g., neutralizing an acid)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нейтрализовать - Applied in scientific or lab settings to describe chemical reactions. Context: Chemistry experiments or environmental science.
• нейтрализованный - As an adjective, to describe the resulting state. Context: Describing substances post-reaction.

Usage Examples:

• Химик нейтрализовал кислоту, добавив базу.

  The chemist neutralised the acid by adding a base.

• В лаборатории был нейтрализован раствор для дальнейших тестов.

  The solution was neutralised in the lab for further tests.

• Экологи нейтрализовали загрязнители в реке с помощью специальных реагентов.

  Ecologists neutralised pollutants in the river using special reagents.

• Этот процесс нейтрализовал вредные вещества, делая их безопасными.

  This process neutralised harmful substances, making them safe.

• Учёные нейтрализовали эффект, используя точные измерения.

  Scientists neutralised the effect using precise measurements.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Нейтрализовать' is a verb of the first conjugation with some irregularities due to its borrowed origin. It follows standard patterns but requires attention to aspect (perfective). 'Нейтрализованный' is an adjective that agrees in gender, number, and case.

Note: This verb does not change in a highly irregular way but must be conjugated based on subject. The adjective is invariable in root but agrees with nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обезвредить (obezvredit' - similar but often implies making safe, e.g., defusing a bomb; more common in security contexts)
  • устранить (ustranit' - to eliminate or remove, with a broader application but less emphasis on neutralization)
• Antonyms:
  • усилить (usilit' - to strengthen or intensify)
  • активизировать (aktivizirovat' - to activate or energize)

Related Phrases:

• нейтрализовать угрозу - To neutralise a threat (Common in military or security contexts; refers to rendering a danger ineffective.)
• нейтрализовать эффект - To neutralise an effect (Used in science to describe counteracting influences, e.g., in experiments.)
• быть нейтрализованным - To be neutralised (Describes a passive state, often in reports of conflicts.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'нейтрализовать' directly corresponds to the British English 'neutralise' as a verb, emphasizing action that makes something ineffective without destruction. It's typically formal and used in professional or technical language. Choose 'нейтрализовать' for dynamic actions and 'нейтрализованный' for states. Be mindful of aspect: pair with imperfective forms like 'нейтрализовывать' for ongoing actions. In everyday speech, simpler synonyms might be preferred to avoid sounding overly technical.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'нейтрализовать' with 'нейтральный' (neutral as an adjective), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, an English learner might say "Я нейтральный угрозу" instead of "Я нейтрализовал угрозу". Correct: Use the verb form for actions. Explanation: 'Нейтральный' means 'neutral' in a state of balance, not an action.
• Mistake: Overusing in casual contexts; e.g., saying "Я нейтрализовал спор" when 'урегулировал' (resolved) is more natural. Correct: Reserve for precise neutralization. Explanation: This can make speech sound unnatural; opt for context-appropriate synonyms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, 'нейтрализовать' often appears in discussions of Cold War-era espionage or modern geopolitical events, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on strategic neutrality in conflicts. It carries a connotation of calculated precision, sometimes evoking themes from Soviet-era literature where neutralization symbolizes maintaining balance in adversarial situations.

Related Concepts:

• нейтральный (neutral - as an adjective, relating to impartiality)
• обезопасить (to secure or make safe)
• балансировать (to balance)