Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reversible'

English Word: reversible

Key Russian Translations:

• обратимый /ɐˈbratʲɪmɨj/ - [Formal, Scientific context]
• реверсивный /rʲɪˈvʲɛrsʲɪvnɨj/ - [Formal, Technical or engineering context]
• двусторонний /dvʊˈstɐrɐnnɨj/ - [Informal, Everyday context, e.g., for clothing]

Frequency: Medium (Common in scientific, technical, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate) for most translations; C1 (Advanced) for 'реверсивный' in specialized fields

Pronunciation (Russian):

обратимый: /ɐˈbratʲɪmɨj/

реверсивный: /rʲɪˈvʲɛrsʲɪvnɨj/ (Note on реверсивный: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

двусторонний: /dvʊˈstɐrɐnnɨj/ (Note on двусторонний: Pronounce the 'дв' as a soft cluster; it's often softened in fast speech.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Capable of being reversed or turned inside out (e.g., in physics, processes, or clothing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обратимый - Used in formal scientific contexts, such as reversible chemical reactions.
• реверсивный - Applied in technical fields like engineering for mechanisms that can reverse direction.
• двусторонний - Common in everyday language for items like reversible jackets.

Usage Examples:

• Эта реакция обратима, поэтому мы можем контролировать её направление.

  This reaction is reversible, so we can control its direction.

• В автомобиле установлен реверсивный механизм для переключения передач.

  In the car, a reversible mechanism is installed for shifting gears.

• Моя куртка двусторонняя, так что я могу носить её с разными сторонами наружу.

  My jacket is reversible, so I can wear it with different sides out.

• В эксперименте мы доказали, что процесс обратимый при изменении температуры.

  In the experiment, we proved that the process is reversible when the temperature changes.

Meaning 2: Able to be undone or changed back (e.g., in decisions or actions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обратимый - Used metaphorically in discussions of decisions or policies that can be reversed.
• реверсивный - Less common, but in business contexts for reversible strategies.

Usage Examples:

• Его решение было обратимым, и он быстро вернул всё назад.

  His decision was reversible, and he quickly reversed it.

• В компании ввели реверсивные политики для адаптации к рынку.

  The company introduced reversible policies to adapt to the market.

• Изменения в законе оказались обратимыми после общественного давления.

  The changes in the law turned out to be reversible after public pressure.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Below is a table for 'обратимый' as an example; similar patterns apply to the others with minor variations.

Note: 'реверсивный' and 'двусторонний' follow similar adjectival inflections. These are regular patterns, so no irregularities to note.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обратимый: возвратный (vozvratnyy) - Similar but more focused on returning to original state.
  • реверсивный: обратный (obratnyy) - Often interchangeable in technical contexts.
  • двусторонний: универсальный (universal'nyy) - Used when emphasizing versatility.
• Antonyms:
  • обратимый: необратимый (neobratimyy)
  • реверсивный: ирреверсивный (irreversivnyy)
  • двусторонний: односторонний (odnostoronniy)

Related Phrases:

• обратимый процесс - A reversible process (Used in thermodynamics to describe processes that can be reversed without loss.)
• реверсивное движение - Reversible traffic flow (Common in urban planning for flexible road systems.)
• двусторонняя куртка - Reversible jacket (An everyday phrase for clothing that can be worn on either side.)

Usage Notes:

'Reversible' in English often corresponds directly to 'обратимый' in Russian for scientific contexts, but choose 'реверсивный' for more technical precision or 'двусторонний' for casual, everyday items. Be mindful of formal vs. informal settings: 'обратимый' is preferred in academic writing, while 'двусторонний' suits spoken language. Grammatically, these adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. When selecting among translations, consider the context—e.g., use 'обратимый' for abstract concepts and 'двусторонний' for tangible objects.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'обратимый' interchangeably with 'реверсивный' in all contexts. Correct: 'Реверсивный' is better for mechanical systems; e.g., instead of saying "реверсивный процесс" for a chemical reaction, use "обратимый процесс".
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "обратимый машина" instead of "обратимая машина" for a feminine noun. Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "обратимая реакция".
• Mistake: Overusing 'двусторонний' in scientific contexts. Correct: Reserve it for physical reversibility; e.g., avoid "двусторонний процесс" and use "обратимый процесс".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of reversibility often appears in literature and philosophy, such as in discussions of time or fate in works by authors like Tolstoy. For instance, 'обратимый' might evoke ideas of redemption or second chances, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on resilience and change.

Related Concepts:

• возвратный
• обратный
• необратимый