Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'predetermine'

English Word: predetermine

Key Russian Translations:

• предопределить [prʲɪdɐprʲɪˈdʲɛlʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in philosophical or deterministic contexts]
• предусмотреть [prʲɪduzˈmotʲrʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, often in planning or preventive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are not everyday vocabulary but appear in discussions of fate, planning, or philosophy.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and abstract concepts. For 'предопределить', it's B2; for 'предусмотреть', it's also B2 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

предопределить: [prʲɪdɐprʲɪˈdʲɛlʲɪtʲ]

предусмотреть: [prʲɪduzˈmotʲrʲɪtʲ]

Note on предопределить: The stress is on the third syllable ('dɛlʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To decide or determine something in advance, often implying inevitability or prior planning.

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'предопределить' - Used in contexts involving fate, destiny, or predetermined outcomes, such as in philosophy or literature.
• 'предусмотреть' - Used in practical contexts like strategy, risk management, or foresight.

Usage Examples:

• Судьба предопределила наш путь, и мы не могли изменить исход.

  Fate predetermined our path, and we couldn't change the outcome.

• В контракте необходимо предусмотреть все возможные риски.

  In the contract, it's necessary to predetermine all possible risks.

• Учёные предопределили результаты эксперимента на основе предыдущих данных.

  Scientists predetermined the experiment's results based on previous data.

• Чтобы избежать проблем, менеджер предусмотрел альтернативные варианты плана.

  To avoid issues, the manager predetermined alternative options for the plan.

• В мифологии боги предопределяют судьбу героев, делая их путь неизбежным.

  In mythology, gods predetermine the fate of heroes, making their path inevitable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'предопределить' and 'предусмотреть' are perfective verbs in Russian, which means they express a completed action. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for -ить verbs, but they are somewhat irregular in their stems. Below is a table for 'предопределить' in the present and past tenses; 'предусмотреть' follows a similar pattern.

Note: The past tense changes based on gender (e.g., предопределила for feminine). 'Предусмотреть' conjugates similarly: e.g., present: предусматриваю; past: предусмотрел(а).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • определить (opredelit') - More general, means 'to define'.
  • заранее решить (zaranee reshit') - Literally 'to decide in advance', with subtle nuance for planning.
• Antonyms:
  • непредвидеть (nepredvidet') - To not foresee.
  • случайно (sluchayno) - Accidentally, implying no predetermination.

Related Phrases:

• Предопределенная судьба - A predetermined fate; often used in literary or philosophical discussions.
• Предусмотреть меры предосторожности - To predetermine precautionary measures; common in safety or business contexts.
• Предопределить исход - To predetermine the outcome; used in games, experiments, or decisions.

Usage Notes:

'Предопределить' closely matches the English 'predetermine' in implying inevitability, often in abstract or fatalistic contexts, while 'предусмотреть' is more practical and forward-thinking, similar to 'foresee' or 'plan for'. Use 'предопределить' for philosophical discussions and 'предусмотреть' in everyday planning. Be mindful of aspect: these are perfective verbs, so they suit completed actions. In formal writing, pair with nouns like 'судьба' (fate) for emphasis.

• Grammar note: Always conjugate based on subject; mismatches can lead to confusion.
• Context guide: Choose 'предусмотреть' for proactive scenarios, as it's less deterministic than 'предопределить'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'предопределить' with 'предусмотреть' and using the wrong one in context. For example, an English learner might say "Я предусмотрел мою судьбу" (I predetermined my fate) instead of "Я предопределил мою судьбу".

Correct: "Я предопределил мою судьбу" - Explanation: 'Предусмотреть' implies planning, not inevitability, so it doesn't fit fatalistic contexts.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "предопределили" for singular subjects. Correct: Use "предопределил" for masculine singular.

  Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person, number, and gender; always check the table above.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'предопределить' often tie into philosophical and literary traditions, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where fate and predetermination are central themes. This reflects a broader Slavic cultural emphasis on destiny and the interplay between free will and predestined paths, influencing how Russians discuss life events.

Related Concepts:

• судьба (sud'ba) - Fate
• предвидение (predvidenie) - Foresight
• рок (rok) - Doom or fate