Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'obstruct'

English Word: obstruct

Key Russian Translations:

• препятствовать [prʲɪˈpjætstvəvətʲ] - [Formal, Common in legal or official contexts]
• блокировать [blɐkʲɪˈravatʲ] - [Informal, Technical, or digital contexts]
• мешать [ˈmʲexətʲ] - [Informal, Everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in Russian literature, news, and conversations, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual usage, with some translations like "препятствовать" being more advanced due to its formal nature.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

препятствовать: [prʲɪˈpjætstvəvətʲ]

блокировать: [blɐkʲɪˈravatʲ]

мешать: [ˈmʲexətʲ]

Note on препятствовать: This verb has a challenging consonant cluster in the middle, which can be difficult for English speakers; stress on the third syllable. Pronounce it slowly to avoid confusion with similar words.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To block or hinder something physically or metaphorically

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствовать - Used in formal or legal contexts, such as obstructing justice or progress.
• блокировать - Common in technical or digital scenarios, like blocking a website or road.
• мешать - Informal for everyday interruptions, like obstructing a view or conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Эта стена препятствует доступу к зданию. (This wall obstructs access to the building.)

  English Translation: This wall obstructs access to the building.

• Хакеры попытались блокировать систему безопасности. (Hackers tried to obstruct the security system.)

  English Translation: Hackers tried to obstruct the security system.

• Его аргументы мешают обсуждению. (His arguments are obstructing the discussion.)

  English Translation: His arguments are obstructing the discussion.

• Дорога была заблокирована из-за аварии, что препятствовало движению. (The road was obstructed due to an accident, hindering traffic.)

  English Translation: The road was obstructed due to an accident, hindering traffic.

• Шум с улицы мешает мне сосредоточиться. (The noise from the street is obstructing my focus.)

  English Translation: The noise from the street is obstructing my focus.

To impede progress or development

Translation(s) & Context:

• препятствовать - Often in bureaucratic or political contexts, e.g., obstructing reforms.
• мешать - In personal or social settings, like obstructing someone's career.

Usage Examples:

• Бюрократия препятствует экономическому росту. (Bureaucracy obstructs economic growth.)

  English Translation: Bureaucracy obstructs economic growth.

• Его сомнения мешают принятию решения. (His doubts are obstructing the decision-making process.)

  English Translation: His doubts are obstructing the decision-making process.

• Эта политика блокирует инновации в отрасли. (This policy is obstructing innovations in the industry.)

  English Translation: This policy is obstructing innovations in the industry.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Препятствовать" and "блокировать" are imperfective verbs, while "мешать" is also imperfective but more irregular in some forms.

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form but follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. "Мешать" is less regular in some dialects but standard in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Вмешаться (vmeshatsya) - To interfere, often with a connotation of sudden involvement.
  • Тормозить (tormozit') - To slow down or brake, implying obstruction in progress.
  • Препятствие создавать (prepyatstvie sozdat') - To create an obstacle, more literal.
• Antonyms:
  • Содействовать (sodeystvovat') - To facilitate or assist.
  • Способствовать (sposobstvovat') - To promote or enable.

Related Phrases:

• Препятствовать развитию - Obstruct development (Used in contexts like economic or personal growth).
• Блокировать доступ - Block access (Common in IT or security scenarios).
• Мешать работе - Obstruct work (Informal for interrupting daily tasks).

Usage Notes:

"Препятствовать" is the most precise translation for formal English uses of "obstruct," such as in legal contexts, while "блокировать" is better for physical or digital blocking. Choose "мешать" for casual conversations to sound more natural. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs; these are imperfective, implying ongoing action. In sentences, they often pair with prepositions like "в" (in) or "к" (to) for context.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "препятствовать" with "препятствие" (a noun meaning obstacle): Incorrect: "Я препятствие дорогу" (wrong structure). Correct: "Я препятствую дороге" (I am obstructing the road). Explanation: Always use the verb form appropriately in sentences.
• Overusing "блокировать" in non-technical contexts: Incorrect: "Он блокировал мою идею" (implies a digital block). Correct: "Он препятствовал моей идее" for a more general sense. Explanation: Match the verb to the context to avoid sounding overly technical.
• Misconjugating verbs: Incorrect: "Я препятствуюет" (grammatical error). Correct: "Я препятствую." Explanation: Russian verbs change based on subject; practice conjugation tables to master this.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "препятствовать" often appear in discussions of bureaucracy or historical events, such as Soviet-era obstacles to innovation. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience against external hindrances, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where personal and societal obstructions are common themes.

Related Concepts:

• Препятствие (obstacle)
• Барьер (barrier)
• Торможение (braking or slowing)