Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repulse'

English Word: repulse

Key Russian Translations:

• отразить /ɐ.trɐˈzʲitʲ/ - [Formal, Military context]
• оттолкнуть /ɐt.tɐlʲˈknutʲ/ - [Informal, Emotional or social context]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in literature, military discussions, and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "идти" or "говорить".)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb conjugations and context-specific usage. For "отразить", it's B2 due to perfective aspect; for "оттолкнуть", it's also B2 as it requires grasp of reflexive forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

отразить: /ɐ.trɐˈzʲitʲ/ (Note the stress on the third syllable; the 'з' is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

оттолкнуть: /ɐt.tɐlʲˈknutʲ/ (Emphasize the 'т' as a hard stop; the 'лʲ' indicates a soft 'l' sound, common in Russian verbs.)

Note on отразить: This verb often has a perfective aspect, so pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the final 'ть' softening.

Note on оттолкнуть: Be cautious with the initial 'о', which can sound more like a schwa in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To drive back or repel an attacking force (e.g., in a military or defensive context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• отразить - Used in formal or historical contexts, such as battles or defenses, to indicate successful repulsion of an enemy.

Usage Examples:

• Войска смогли отразить атаку противника. (The troops were able to repulse the enemy's attack.)

  English: The troops were able to repulse the enemy's attack. (This example shows the verb in a perfective aspect, emphasizing completion in a military scenario.)

• Городские укрепления помогли отразить осаду. (The city's fortifications helped repulse the siege.)

  English: The city's fortifications helped repulse the siege. (Illustrates use in historical or strategic discussions.)

• Армия отразила все попытки вторжения. (The army repulsed all attempts at invasion.)

  English: The army repulsed all attempts at invasion. (Demonstrates plural contexts and repeated actions.)

• С помощью тактики партизанской войны они отразили превосходящие силы. (Using guerrilla warfare tactics, they repulsed the superior forces.)

  English: Using guerrilla warfare tactics, they repulsed the superior forces. (Shows combination with other military terms.)

Meaning 2: To cause disgust, aversion, or to push away emotionally

Translation(s) & Context:

• оттолкнуть - Used in informal or interpersonal contexts, such as relationships or personal reactions, to convey emotional repulsion.

Usage Examples:

• Его грубость оттолкнула всех друзей. (His rudeness repulsed all his friends.)

  English: His rudeness repulsed all his friends. (This highlights emotional distance in social interactions.)

• Этот запах оттолкнул меня от еды. (This smell repulsed me from the food.)

  English: This smell repulsed me from the food. (Illustrates sensory repulsion in everyday life.)

• Она оттолкнула его advances, не желая продолжать разговор. (She repulsed his advances, not wanting to continue the conversation.)

  English: She repulsed his advances, not wanting to continue the conversation. (Shows use in rejecting unwanted attention.)

• Идея путешествия в холод оттолкнула всю семью. (The idea of traveling in the cold repulsed the whole family.)

  English: The idea of traveling in the cold repulsed the whole family. (Demonstrates repulsion in decision-making.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Отразить" is a perfective verb, while "оттолкнуть" can be used in various aspects. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number.

Note: These verbs are conjugated irregularly in some forms due to Russian's aspect system. "Отразить" does not have an imperfective counterpart in common usage, making it straightforward for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отбить (otbit' - similar to отразить, but more physical; used for reclaiming something)
  • отпугнуть (otpugnut' - for оттолкнуть, implying scaring away)
• Antonyms:
  • привлечь (privlech' - to attract, opposite of emotional repulsion)
  • захватить (zakhvatit' - to capture, opposite of military repulsion)

Related Phrases:

• Отразить удар - (To repulse a blow; a common phrase in combat or metaphorical contexts, meaning to defend against an attack.)
• Оттолкнуть от себя - (To push away from oneself; used in emotional scenarios, e.g., rejecting ideas or people.)
• Отразить натиск - (To repulse an onslaught; often in military or sports contexts, emphasizing resistance.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "repulse" translates differently based on context: use "отразить" for defensive or military actions, as it conveys a sense of successful counteraction, while "оттолкнуть" is better for emotional or physical repulsion. Be mindful of the perfective aspect in verbs like these, which focus on completed actions—pair with appropriate tenses for accuracy. For English speakers, note that Russian often requires specifying gender and number in past tense, which has no direct equivalent in English. Choose the translation based on formality: "отразить" is more formal, suitable for written or official language, whereas "оттолкнуть" fits casual conversations.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspect: English learners often misuse the perfective "отразить" when an ongoing action is needed; e.g., incorrectly saying "Я отражаю атаку" instead of the imperfective "Я отбиваю атаку" for a continuous process. Correct usage: Use "отразить" only for completed events, like "Я отразил атаку" (I repulsed the attack).

• Overgeneralizing translations: Beginners might use "оттолкнуть" in military contexts, saying "Армия оттолкнула врага," which sounds odd. Error: This implies a push rather than a strategic repulse. Correct: Use "отразить" for such scenarios, as in "Армия отразила врага."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "отразить" often evoke historical events such as the defense of Moscow in World War II, symbolizing resilience and national pride. This can add a patriotic connotation in media or literature, making it more than just a neutral term—it's tied to themes of endurance in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Защитить (zashchitit' - to protect)
• Атака (ataka - attack)
• Отпор (otpor - repulsion, as a noun)