Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'proliferate'

English Word: proliferate

Key Russian Translations:

• размножаться (/rəzˈmnoʒət͡sə/) - [Formal, used in biological or scientific contexts]
• распространяться (/rəsprəˈstranət͡sə/) - [Formal, used for ideas, information, or general rapid spread]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in scientific, academic, and technical discussions but less so in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Involves understanding Russian verb aspects and conjugations, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginner level. For "размножаться," the difficulty is B2 due to imperfective aspect; for "распространяться," it's similar at B1-B2.

Pronunciation (Russian):

размножаться: /rəzˈmnoʒət͡sə/

Note on размножаться: This is an imperfective verb with a soft 'ж' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers; stress falls on the second syllable. Common in reflexive forms.

распространяться: /rəsprəˈstranət͡sə/

Note on распространяться: Stress on the third syllable; the 'р' is rolled, and it's also an imperfective verb often used reflexively.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To increase rapidly in numbers, especially in a biological or reproductive sense.

Translation(s) & Context:

• размножаться - Used in contexts involving growth, reproduction, or multiplication of living organisms, such as cells or populations.

Usage Examples:

• Бактерии быстро размножаются в теплой среде.

  Bacteria proliferate rapidly in a warm environment.

• В лабораторных условиях клетки начинают размножаться, образуя колонии.

  In laboratory conditions, cells begin to proliferate, forming colonies.

• Если не контролировать популяцию, животные будут размножаться без ограничений.

  If the population isn't controlled, animals will proliferate without limits.

• В природе растения размножаются через семена, что позволяет им быстро распространяться.

  In nature, plants proliferate through seeds, allowing them to spread quickly.

Meaning 2: To spread or grow rapidly, such as ideas, information, or phenomena.

Translation(s) & Context:

• распространяться - Used for non-physical entities like rumors, technologies, or social trends, emphasizing diffusion or expansion.

Usage Examples:

• Информация о вирусе быстро распространяется по социальным сетям.

  Information about the virus proliferates rapidly through social media.

• Новые технологии распространяются по миру, изменяя повседневную жизнь.

  New technologies proliferate across the world, changing everyday life.

• В кризисные времена слухи распространяются, вызывая панику.

  In times of crisis, rumors proliferate, causing panic.

• Идеи демократии распространяются среди молодежи через образование.

  Ideas of democracy proliferate among youth through education.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both key translations are reflexive imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Russian verbs have aspects (imperfective for ongoing actions), and these are imperfective.

For размножаться (to proliferate/reproduce):

Note: This verb is irregular in its conjugation due to the reflexive particle "-ся," which remains constant.

For распространяться (to spread):

This verb follows standard patterns for reflexive verbs but requires attention to aspect when forming perfective counterparts like "распространить."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for размножаться: размножать (to reproduce actively), увеличиваться (to increase)
• Synonyms for распространяться: распространять (to spread actively), распространяться (note: similar but context-specific; увеличиваться for numerical growth)
• Antonyms: уменьшаться (to decrease), сокращаться (to shrink) - These apply to both translations, emphasizing reduction rather than growth.

Related Phrases:

• Быстро размножаться - To proliferate rapidly; often used in biological contexts to describe unchecked growth.
• Распространяться по сети - To proliferate through the network; refers to viral spread of information online.
• Неконтролируемо распространяться - To proliferate uncontrollably; highlights dangers of unchecked expansion, like in epidemiology.

Usage Notes:

"Размножаться" directly corresponds to the biological sense of "proliferate," making it ideal for scientific discussions, while "распространяться" aligns with metaphorical or social spreading. Both are formal and avoid casual language; use them in written or academic contexts. Note the reflexive "-ся" ending, which indicates the action happens to the subject. When choosing between translations, opt for "размножаться" for living entities and "распространяться" for abstract concepts. Grammatically, ensure correct aspect usage: imperfective for ongoing processes.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "размножать" instead of "размножаться" (non-reflexive form). Correct: "размножаться" for the intransitive sense. Explanation: English speakers might forget the reflexive particle, altering the meaning to a transitive action.

• Error: Confusing with "произрастать" (to grow vegetatively). Correct: Stick to "распространяться" for proliferation. Explanation: This can lead to imprecise translations; always check context for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and language, terms like "распространяться" often appear in discussions of information warfare or propaganda, reflecting historical contexts like the Soviet era, where rapid spread of ideas was a tool for social control. This adds a layer of connotation beyond mere growth, emphasizing influence and reach.

Related Concepts:

• увеличивать
• размножение
• распространение
• эволюция