Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'neutralize'

English Word: neutralize

Key Russian Translations:

• Нейтрализовать /nʲɪtrɐlʲɪzə'vatʲ/ - [Formal, often used in technical or military contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly encountered in scientific, military, and technical discussions but not in everyday casual conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) - Requires familiarity with Russian verb conjugations and loanwords from English, making it challenging for beginners but manageable for intermediate learners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Нейтрализовать: /nʲɪtrɐlʲɪzə'vatʲ/

Note on Нейтрализовать: The stress falls on the penultimate syllable ('va-'), and the initial 'нʲ' sound is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Practice the rolling 'r' for authenticity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To make something neutral, especially in a chemical or physical sense (e.g., balancing pH levels).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Нейтрализовать - Used in scientific or laboratory settings to describe chemical reactions; formal and precise.

Usage Examples:

• Мы должны нейтрализовать кислоту, чтобы предотвратить коррозию.

  We must neutralize the acid to prevent corrosion.

• Химик нейтрализовал раствор, добавив щелочь.

  The chemist neutralized the solution by adding a base.

• В лаборатории мы нейтрализуем вещества для безопасного хранения.

  In the lab, we neutralize substances for safe storage.

• Если не нейтрализовать яд, он может вызвать серьезные повреждения.

  If the poison isn't neutralized, it could cause serious damage.

Meaning 2: To render something ineffective or harmless, often in a military or strategic context (e.g., disarming a threat).

Translation(s) & Context:

• Нейтрализовать - Common in military, security, or metaphorical uses; implies action to eliminate risk without destruction.

Usage Examples:

• Силы безопасности смогли нейтрализовать террориста без жертв.

  The security forces were able to neutralize the terrorist without casualties.

• Войска нейтрализовали вражеский отряд в горах.

  The troops neutralized the enemy squad in the mountains.

• Правительство планирует нейтрализовать угрозу кибератак.

  The government plans to neutralize the threat of cyberattacks.

• Чтобы нейтрализовать влияние конкурентов, компания изменила стратегию.

  To neutralize the influence of competitors, the company changed its strategy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Нейтрализовать" is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, derived from the English loanword. It follows standard patterns for imperfective verbs but can be irregular in some aspects due to its foreign origin. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: This verb is imperfective; for perfective aspect, use "нейтрализовать" in contexts implying completion, as it doesn't have a direct perfective pair.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Обезвредить (obezvredit' - to disarm or make harmless, often in security contexts); Устранить (ustranit' - to eliminate, with a focus on removal).
• Обезвредить is preferred in explosive or hazard situations, while Устранить implies more permanent removal.
• Antonyms: Усилить (usilit' - to strengthen); Активизировать (aktivizirovat' - to activate or intensify).

Related Phrases:

• Нейтрализовать угрозу - To neutralize a threat; Used in military or security discussions to mean rendering a danger ineffective.
• Нейтрализовать влияние - To neutralize influence; Common in politics or business to describe countering external pressures.
• Нейтрализовать кислоту - To neutralize acid; A standard phrase in chemistry for balancing pH.

Usage Notes:

"Нейтрализовать" directly corresponds to the English "neutralize" as a verb, but it's more formal in Russian and often appears in technical, scientific, or official contexts. English speakers should note that Russian verbs require agreement in person, number, and tense, so always conjugate based on the subject (e.g., use "нейтрализует" for third-person singular). If multiple translations exist, choose "нейтрализовать" for precise, action-oriented scenarios; for everyday language, simpler synonyms like "обезвредить" might be more natural. Be cautious with aspect: Russian distinguishes between imperfective (ongoing) and perfective (completed) actions.

• In formal writing, pair it with nouns like "угрозу" or "влияние" for clarity.
• Avoid overusing in casual speech, as it may sound overly technical.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse verb conjugations, such as using the infinitive form "нейтрализовать" where a conjugated form is needed. For example:

• Incorrect: *Я нейтрализовать проблему.* (This treats it as an infinitive, which is grammatically wrong.)
• Correct: Я нейтрализую проблему. (I neutralize the problem.) - Explanation: Always conjugate the verb to match the subject for proper sentence structure.
• Another error: Confusing it with "нейтральный" (neutral as an adjective), leading to misuse in sentences. For instance, *Я нейтральный угрозу* instead of *Я нейтрализую угрозу*.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and media, "нейтрализовать" is frequently used in discussions of military history, such as during World War II or modern conflicts, to describe strategic operations. It carries a connotation of efficiency and control, reflecting Russia's emphasis on security and defense in national narratives. This word can evoke themes of resilience and tactical prowess, especially in literature or films about espionage.

Related Concepts:

• Нейтральный (neutral as an adjective)
• Обезопасить (to secure or make safe)
• Угроза (threat)