Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'oxidize'

English Word: oxidize

Key Russian Translations:

• окислять (/ɐˈkʲislʲɪtʲ/) - [Formal, used in scientific contexts]
• окисляться (/ɐˈkʲislʲɪt͡sə/) - [Formal, reflexive form, used for self-oxidation processes]

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

Difficulty: Intermediate (B2) - Requires familiarity with chemistry terminology; the verb forms may vary in complexity for learners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

окислять: /ɐˈkʲislʲɪtʲ/ (The stress is on the second syllable; the 'кʲ' sound is a soft 'k', which can be challenging for English speakers.)

окисляться: /ɐˈkʲislʲɪt͡sə/ (Similar to the above, with an additional reflexive suffix; note the palatalized 'т͡с' for a soft 'ts' sound.)

Note on окислять: Pay attention to the soft consonants, which are common in Russian verbs. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel length.

Note on окисляться: The reflexive particle '-ся' adds a self-action nuance, and pronunciation can soften further in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Chemical process where a substance combines with oxygen, leading to rusting or corrosion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• окислять - Used in formal scientific writing or discussions about chemical reactions, e.g., in laboratory settings.
• окисляться - Applied in contexts involving self-oxidation, such as biological processes or material degradation.

Usage Examples:

• Металл окисляется на воздухе, образуя ржавчину. (Metal oxidizes in the air, forming rust.)

  English Translation: The metal oxidizes in the air, forming rust.

• В лаборатории мы окисляем железо, чтобы изучить реакцию. (In the laboratory, we oxidize iron to study the reaction.)

  English Translation: In the laboratory, we oxidize iron to study the reaction. (This shows the verb in a procedural context.)

• Кислород заставляет фрукты окисляться и портиться. (Oxygen causes fruits to oxidize and spoil.)

  English Translation: Oxygen causes fruits to oxidize and spoil. (Illustrates the reflexive form in everyday scientific application.)

• Химики окисляют соединения для синтеза новых веществ. (Chemists oxidize compounds to synthesize new substances.)

  English Translation: Chemists oxidize compounds to synthesize new substances. (Demonstrates use in advanced chemical contexts.)

• Если не покрыть поверхность, она быстро окисляется. (If the surface isn't covered, it oxidizes quickly.)

  English Translation: If the surface isn't covered, it oxidizes quickly. (Shows potential outcomes in practical scenarios.)

Secondary Meaning: Figurative use, such as moral or metaphorical decay (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• окислять - Rarely used metaphorically, e.g., in literary or philosophical texts to describe deterioration.

Usage Examples:

• Время окисляет воспоминания, делая их менее яркими. (Time oxidizes memories, making them less vivid.)

  English Translation: Time oxidizes memories, making them less vivid. (Figurative use in poetic language.)

• Общество окисляется коррупцией. (Society oxidizes due to corruption.)

  English Translation: Society oxidizes due to corruption. (Metaphorical application in social commentary.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "окислять" and "окисляться" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Окислять" is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns, while "окисляться" is its reflexive counterpart.

For "окисляться," the reflexive particle "-ся" attaches and changes based on context, but the base verb follows the same conjugation rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • окислять - окислить (perfective form, implying completion)
  • окисляться - разъедать (for corrosion, with a more destructive connotation)
• Antonyms:
  • восстанавливать (to reduce or restore, opposite in chemical reactions)
  • сохранять (to preserve, in a general sense)

Related Phrases:

• Химическая окислительная реакция - (Chemical oxidation reaction; refers to a specific type of process in chemistry.)
• Окислять в воздухе - (To oxidize in the air; common in discussions about rusting or environmental effects.)
• Предотвращать окисление - (To prevent oxidation; used in contexts like food preservation or material protection.)

Usage Notes:

"Окислять" directly corresponds to the English "oxidize" in chemical contexts, but always use the appropriate aspect (imperfective for ongoing processes). In Russian, verbs like this are formal and technical, so avoid them in casual conversation. When choosing between "окислять" and "окисляться," opt for the reflexive form if the action is self-occurring. Be mindful of gender and number agreements in sentences, as Russian verbs must align with the subject.

• In scientific writing, pair with nouns like "реакция" (reaction) for clarity.
• English learners often confuse aspect; use imperfective for descriptions and perfective for completed actions.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is incorrectly conjugating the verb, such as saying "окисляется" when it should be "окисляется" for the reflexive form. For example:

• Incorrect: Я окисляет железо. (Wrong conjugation; should be "окисляю.")
• Correct: Я окисляю железо. (Explanation: The first-person singular requires "окисляю" to match the subject.)
• Another error: Using "окислять" for self-actions, e.g., "Фрукт окисляет" instead of "Фрукт окисляется." (Correct version emphasizes the reflexive nature.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and science, terms like "окислять" are rooted in the historical development of chemistry, influenced by figures like Mendeleev. While not culturally loaded, it reflects Russia's emphasis on industrial and scientific advancements, such as in metallurgy, where oxidation (e.g., rusting) is a practical concern in harsh climates.

Related Concepts:

• ржаветь (to rust)
• реакция (reaction)
• химия (chemistry)