Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pacify'

English Word: pacify

Key Russian Translations:

• успокоить [ʊspɐˈkojɪtʲ] - [Formal, Informal]
• умиротворить [ʊmʲɪrɐtvaˈrʲitʲ] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday emotional contexts and formal discussions of conflict resolution)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual nuances; for "успокоить", it's straightforward, but "умиротворить" may require more advanced vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

успокоить: [ʊspɐˈkojɪtʲ]

Note on успокоить: The stress falls on the third syllable ("koj"), which is common in Russian perfective verbs. Pay attention to the soft sign (ʲ) at the end, indicating palatalization.

Audio: []

умиротворить: [ʊmʲɪrɐtvaˈrʲitʲ]

Note on умиротворить: This word has a more emphatic pronunciation with stress on the fourth syllable ("rʲitʲ"); it's often used in written or formal speech and may vary slightly in rapid conversation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To calm or soothe someone or something (e.g., emotional pacification).

Translation(s) & Context:

• успокоить - Used in everyday situations to describe making someone less upset or angry, such as in family or interpersonal interactions.
• умиротворить - Applied in more formal or historical contexts, like resolving conflicts or achieving peace on a larger scale.

Usage Examples:

• Она постаралась успокоить разъярённого коллегу, объяснив ситуацию. (She tried to pacify her enraged colleague by explaining the situation.)

  She tried to pacify her enraged colleague by explaining the situation.

• Врачи успокаивают пациентов перед операцией, чтобы снизить стресс. (Doctors pacify patients before surgery to reduce stress.)

  Doctors pacify patients before surgery to reduce stress.

• Правительство попыталось умиротворить протестующих, обещая реформы. (The government attempted to pacify the protesters by promising reforms.)

  The government attempted to pacify the protesters by promising reforms.

• Музыка помогает успокоить нервы после тяжёлого дня. (Music helps to pacify nerves after a hard day.)

  Music helps to pacify nerves after a hard day.

• Он умиротворил конфликт между соседями, выступив в роли посредника. (He pacified the conflict between neighbors by acting as a mediator.)

  He pacified the conflict between neighbors by acting as a mediator.

To settle or resolve a conflict (e.g., political or social pacification).

Translation(s) & Context:

• умиротворить - Often used in historical or political contexts to mean bringing about peace or submission.
• успокоить - Less common in this sense but can apply to minor disputes.

Usage Examples:

• Император умиротворил восставшие регионы силой и переговорами. (The emperor pacified the rebellious regions through force and negotiations.)

  The emperor pacified the rebellious regions through force and negotiations.

• Дипломаты успокаивают напряжённые отношения между странами. (Diplomats pacify tense relations between countries.)

  Diplomats pacify tense relations between countries.

• Учителя умиротворяют класс во время споров, устанавливая правила. (Teachers pacify the class during arguments by setting rules.)

  Teachers pacify the class during arguments by setting rules.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "успокоить" and "умиротворить" are perfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe completed actions. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. These verbs follow regular patterns but have specific inflections.

For "успокоить" (to pacify):

Note: The verb is invariant in terms of aspect but requires the imperfective form ("успокаивать") for ongoing actions.

For "умиротворить" (similar structure):

This verb is less frequently used and follows a regular pattern like "успокоить." It does not have irregularities but is often found in perfective forms only.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: уладить (to settle), успокоить (to calm) - уладить is more about resolving issues pragmatically.
• Antonyms: разозлить (to anger), возбудить (to excite)

Related Phrases:

• успокоить нервы - To calm the nerves (A common phrase for relaxing or reducing anxiety in daily life).
• умиротворить ситуацию - To pacify the situation (Used for de-escalating conflicts or tensions).
• успокоить общественное мнение - To pacify public opinion (Refers to addressing widespread unrest or dissatisfaction).

Usage Notes:

"Pacify" most directly translates to "успокоить" in emotional or personal contexts, but "умиротворить" is preferred for formal, historical, or large-scale scenarios. Be mindful of the perfective aspect in Russian, which implies completion—use it when the action is finished. In informal speech, "успокоить" is versatile across registers, while "умиротворить" is more literary. When choosing between translations, consider the intensity: "успокоить" for mild calming and "умиротворить" for profound resolution.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "успокоить" with "успеть" (to manage to do something), as both start with "усп-". Incorrect: "Я успокою пойти" (meant to say "pacify," but it sounds like "manage to go"). Correct: "Я успокою его" (I will pacify him). Explanation: "Успокоить" focuses on calming, not timely actions.

• Error: Overusing "умиротворить" in everyday contexts. Incorrect: Using it for simple arguments. Correct: Reserve it for serious conflicts, like "умиротворить народ" (to pacify the people). Explanation: This makes speech sound overly formal and unnatural in casual settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "успокоить" and "умиротворить" often tie into the value of emotional restraint and communal harmony, influenced by historical events such as wars and revolutions. For instance, "умиротворить" evokes memories of Soviet-era pacification efforts, symbolizing the suppression of dissent for stability, which can carry subtle political connotations in modern usage.

Related Concepts:

• умиротворение
• спокойствие
• уравновешивание