Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retard'

English Word: retard

Key Russian Translations:

• Задерживать [zə.dɨ.rʐɨˈvatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts to indicate delaying an action]
• Замедлять [zə.mʲɪdʲˈlʲatʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Often used in technical or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in conversational and technical Russian, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "делать").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugation. For 'Задерживать': B1; for 'Замедлять': B2 due to more formal usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Задерживать: [zə.dɨ.rʐɨˈvatʲ]

Замедлять: [zə.mʲɪdʲˈlʲatʲ]

Note on Задерживать: The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like the 's' in "measure". Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: Play audio for Задерживать [Here, insert an actual audio player or link placeholder]

Audio: Play audio for Замедлять [Here, insert an actual audio player or link placeholder]

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To delay or hold back something (e.g., a process or action)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Задерживать - Used in informal or everyday situations, such as delaying a meeting or process.
• Замедлять - Applied in formal, technical, or scientific contexts, like slowing down a chemical reaction.

Usage Examples:

• Я всегда задерживаю отъезд, потому что забываю вещи. (Ya vsegda zaderzhivayu otyezd, potomu chto zabytayu veshchi.)

  I always delay my departure because I forget things. (Shows informal use in daily life.)

• Этот фактор замедляет рост экономики. (Etot faktor zamedlyat rost ekonomiki.)

  This factor slows down the growth of the economy. (Illustrates formal use in economic discussions.)

• Не задерживай меня, я опаздываю! (Ne zaderzhivay menya, ya opazdyvayu!)

  Don't hold me up, I'm running late! (Demonstrates imperative form in urgent conversations.)

• Ученые замедляют реакцию для точного анализа. (Uchenyye zamedlyat reaktsiyu dlya tochnogo analiza.)

  Scientists slow down the reaction for accurate analysis. (Highlights technical application.)

• Задерживать почту в праздники – обычная практика. (Zaderzhivat' pochty v prazdniki – obychnaya praktika.)

  Delaying mail during holidays is a common practice. (Shows use in administrative contexts.)

Meaning 2: To impede progress or development (e.g., in a metaphorical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Задерживать - Informal, often in personal or emotional contexts, like holding back emotions.
• Замедлять - Formal, used in professional settings, such as in business or education.

Usage Examples:

• Его страхи задерживают карьерный рост. (Yego strakhi zaderzhivayut kar'yerinyy rost.)

  His fears are holding back his career growth. (Example of metaphorical use in personal development.)

• Бюрократия замедляет инновации в компании. (Byurokratiya zamedlyat innovatsii v kompanii.)

  Bureaucracy slows down innovations in the company. (Formal context in business.)

• Не задерживай свое решение, иначе упустишь шанс. (Ne zaderzhivay svoye resheniye, inache upustish shans.)

  Don't delay your decision, or you'll miss the chance. (Urgent, advisory tone.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Задерживать' and 'Замедлять' are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns for Russian verbs, with variations based on tense, aspect, person, and number.

Note: These verbs are regular, but 'Задерживать' can have aspectual pairs like 'Задержать' (perfective). No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Тормозить [tor mozit'] (Similar to 'Замедлять', often used in mechanical contexts; implies more forceful slowing.)
  • Задернуть (for specific delays, like pulling a curtain; less common but context-specific)
• Antonyms:
  • Ускорять [us kor yat'] (To speed up or accelerate)
  • Спешить [spe shit'] (To hurry, opposite in action-oriented contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Задержать дыхание (Zaderzhat' dykhaniye) - To hold one's breath; used in physical or metaphorical contexts, e.g., during suspense.
• Замедлить темп (Zamedlit' temp) - To slow down the pace; common in music or work settings to indicate reducing speed.
• Задержка в доставке (Zaderzhka v dostavke) - Delay in delivery; a fixed phrase in logistics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'Задерживать' is more versatile for everyday delays, while 'Замедлять' is preferred in formal or scientific language. Unlike English 'retard', which can carry negative connotations (especially as a noun), these Russian verbs are neutral. Choose based on context: use 'Задерживать' for personal actions and 'Замедлять' for processes. Be mindful of aspect in Russian; pair with perfective forms like 'Задержать' for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Задерживать' with 'Задержать' (perfective form). English learners might use 'Задерживать' for a one-time action. Correct: Use 'Задержать' for completed delays, e.g., Wrong: "Я задерживаю письмо" (for a finished action); Right: "Я задержал письмо". Explanation: Russian verbs have aspect, so matching it to the context avoids grammatical errors.

• Error: Overusing 'Замедлять' in informal speech. Correct: In casual talk, opt for 'Задерживать' instead, e.g., Wrong: "Замедляй автобус!" (sounds overly formal); Right: "Задержи автобус!". Explanation: This maintains natural flow and appropriateness in conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases involving delays like 'Задерживать' often reflect the common experience of bureaucratic inefficiencies or traffic issues in urban areas. For instance, in literature such as Chekhov's works, delays symbolize life's interruptions, adding a layer of philosophical depth to everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• Торможение (Tor mozheniye)
• Ускорение (Us kor eniye)
• Пауза (Pauza)