Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reiterate'

English Word: reiterate

Key Russian Translations:

• повторять [pɐfˈtorɨtʲ] - [Informal, Imperfective aspect, used for ongoing or repeated actions]
• повторить [pɐfˈtorʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Perfective aspect, used for completed actions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversation, academic writing, and professional contexts, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb aspects. For "повторять": B2 due to imperfective conjugation; for "повторить": B2 due to perfective usage and context-specific application).

Pronunciation (Russian):

повторять: [pɐfˈtorɨtʲ]

повторить: [pɐfˈtorʲɪtʲ]

Note on повторять: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tor"), which can be tricky for learners as Russian stress is not always predictable. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on повторить: Similar to "повторять," but the perfective form often has a harder 't' sound; pay attention to the vowel shift in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To say or do something again, often for emphasis

Translation(s) & Context:

• повторять - Used in contexts involving repeated or ongoing actions, such as in discussions or instructions (e.g., in informal conversations or teaching).
• повторить - Applied to completed, one-time repetitions, often in formal settings like speeches or written texts.

Usage Examples:

• Я повторяю свои слова, чтобы все поняли. (Ya povtoryayu svoi slova, chtoby vse ponyali.)

  I reiterate my words so that everyone understands. (This shows informal, ongoing repetition in a conversational context.)

• Он повторил инструкции перед началом работы. (On povtoril instruktsii pered nachalom raboty.)

  He reiterated the instructions before starting the work. (Illustrates a formal, perfective use in a professional setting.)

• В своей речи она повторяла ключевые идеи несколько раз. (V svoyey rechi ona povtoryala klyuchevyye idei neskolko raz.)

  In her speech, she reiterated the key ideas several times. (Demonstrates imperfective aspect in public speaking.)

• Пожалуйста, повторите номер телефона. (Pozhaluysta, povtorite nomer telephona.)

  Please reiterate the phone number. (Used in everyday interactions, like on a phone call, highlighting perfective immediacy.)

• Дети повторяют уроки каждый вечер. (Deti povtoryayut uroki kazhdyy vecher.)

  The children reiterate their lessons every evening. (Shows habitual, imperfective repetition in educational contexts.)

To emphasize a point through repetition

Translation(s) & Context:

• повторять - In persuasive or explanatory contexts, emphasizing persistence.
• повторить - For emphatic, one-off restatements in arguments or negotiations.

Usage Examples:

• Я повторяю: безопасность превыше всего. (Ya povtoryayu: bezopasnost prevyshe vsego.)

  I reiterate: safety above all. (Emphasizes ongoing importance in safety briefings.)

• Повторите, пожалуйста, ваш вопрос. (Povtorite, pozhaluysta, vash vopros.)

  Please reiterate your question. (Common in formal meetings for clarification.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "повторять" and "повторить" are verbs, with "повторять" being imperfective and "повторить" perfective. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, number, and mood. These verbs follow the first conjugation pattern, which is regular but requires attention to aspectual pairs.

Note: These verbs do not have irregularities, but mastering aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) is key for correct usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подчеркивать (podcherkivat') - Emphasizes more strongly, often in writing.
  • возобновлять (vozobnovlyat') - Used for resuming after a pause.
• Antonyms:
  • прекращать (prekrashchat') - To stop or cease.
  • отменять (otmenyat') - To cancel or revoke.

Related Phrases:

• повторять как попугай (povtoryat kak popugay) - To repeat like a parrot; meaning to mindlessly repeat something. (Used for criticism in learning or mimicry contexts.)
• повторить урок (povtorit urook) - To reiterate a lesson; refers to reviewing educational material. (Common in academic settings.)
• повторять ошибку (povtoryat oshibku) - To reiterate a mistake; implies repeating an error. (Often used in self-improvement discussions.)

Usage Notes:

Russian translations of "reiterate" depend heavily on verb aspects: use "повторять" for ongoing or habitual repetition (similar to English progressive forms), and "повторить" for a single, completed act. In formal contexts, like business or academia, "повторить" is preferred for emphasis. Be cautious with word order in sentences, as Russian is flexible but subject-verb agreements must align. When choosing between translations, consider the context: if the action is incomplete, opt for the imperfective form to match English nuances.

• English "reiterate" often implies emphasis, so pair it with adverbs like "снова" (again) in Russian for clarity.
• In spoken Russian, these verbs are common in dialogues, but in writing, they may be replaced with synonyms for variety.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the imperfective and perfective aspects. For example, they might incorrectly use "повторять" in a context requiring a completed action: Error: "Я повторять инструкции" (incorrect, as it implies ongoing action without completion). Correct: "Я повторил инструкции" (for a finished reiteration). Another common mistake is overusing "повторять" in formal writing, where "подтвердить" might be more appropriate for confirmation. Always check the aspect to avoid implying the wrong timeline in your sentence.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, repetition in communication, as with "повторять," is often seen as a sign of thoroughness or caution, especially in educational or professional environments. This stems from a historical emphasis on precision in Soviet-era rhetoric, where reiterating key points was common in speeches to ensure understanding among audiences.

Related Concepts:

• повторение (povtoreniye) - Repetition
• усиление (usileniye) - Reinforcement
• эхо (ekho) - Echo (metaphorical for repetition)