Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pulsate'

English Word: pulsate

Key Russian Translations:

• пульсировать [/pulʲˈsʲirəvətʲ/] - [Formal, often used in scientific or medical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in technical or descriptive writing, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пульсировать: /pulʲˈsʲirəvətʲ/

Note on пульсировать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("sʲir"). Be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To beat or throb rhythmically (e.g., like a heartbeat or a machine)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пульсировать - Used in formal or technical contexts to describe rhythmic, repetitive motion, such as in medicine or physics; avoid in casual speech.

Usage Examples:

• Сердце пульсирует быстро во время стресса.

  The heart pulsates quickly during stress.

• Свет лампы пульсирует в ритме музыки.

  The light of the lamp pulsates in the rhythm of the music.

• В вене на шее пульсирует кровь от быстрого бега.

  Blood pulsates in the vein on the neck from fast running.

• Механизм машины пульсирует, издавая равномерный звук.

  The machine's mechanism pulsates, producing a steady sound.

• В темноте огни города пульсируют, как живое существо.

  In the darkness, the city lights pulsate like a living being.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Пульсировать" is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns but requires attention to aspect (imperfective). It is imperfective and can be paired with perfective forms like "пульсировать" (though it often stands alone). Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: This verb does not have irregularities but must agree in gender, number, and tense as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: биться (to beat; more general for heartbeats), трепетать (to quiver; implies slight, rapid movement)
• Antonyms: остановиться (to stop; used when motion ceases)

Related Phrases:

• Пульс бьется - A common phrase meaning "the pulse is beating"; Used in medical contexts to describe vital signs.
• Ритмично пульсировать - Meaning "to pulsate rhythmically"; Often applied to music or machinery for emphasis on regularity.
• Пульсирующий свет - Translates to "pulsating light"; Refers to flickering or throbbing illumination in artistic descriptions.

Usage Notes:

"Пульсировать" directly corresponds to the English "pulsate" in formal and technical contexts, such as medicine or physics, where rhythmic motion is described. It is typically used in written language or professional speech rather than everyday conversation. When choosing this verb, ensure it fits the imperfective aspect for ongoing actions. For perfective alternatives, consider "пульсировать" in combination with other verbs, but it's often sufficient alone. English learners should note that Russian verbs require conjugation based on subject, which can affect sentence structure.

• Avoid overusing in casual contexts; opt for simpler synonyms like "биться" for informal settings.
• In scientific writing, it's a precise match for "pulsate," but always check for aspect to convey duration accurately.

Common Errors:

English speakers often confuse "пульсировать" (to pulsate) with "пульс" (pulse, as a noun), leading to incorrect usage. For example:

• Error: Saying "Мой пульс пульсирует" when meaning "My pulse is strong," but incorrectly implying action on the pulse itself.
• Correct: "Мой пульс бьется быстро" (My pulse is beating quickly). Explanation: "Пульсировать" should describe the action, not the noun directly; use it for the process, not as a state.
• Another common mistake is forgetting conjugation: Error: "Он пульсировать" (incorrect form). Correct: "Он пульсирует." Explanation: Always conjugate based on the subject for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and poetry, such as in works by Pushkin or modern authors, "пульсировать" is often metaphorically used to evoke themes of life, emotion, or urban energy. For instance, it might describe the "pulsating" rhythm of a city or heartbeat in romantic contexts, symbolizing vitality or inner turmoil, which reflects Russia's cultural emphasis on emotional depth in art.

Related Concepts:

• Пульс (pulse)
• Ритм (rhythm)
• Биться (to beat)