Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'roughen'

English Word: roughen

Key Russian Translations:

• огрубить [ɐɡˈrubʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in technical or descriptive contexts]
• сделать шероховатым [sdʲɪˈlatʲ ʂɨˈroxəvətɨm] - [Informal, literal descriptions]

Frequency: Low (This verb is not commonly used in everyday conversation but appears in technical, literary, or descriptive texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual usage. For 'огрубить', it's B2 due to irregular aspects; for 'сделать шероховатым', it's also B2 as a phrase.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

огрубить: [ɐɡˈrubʲɪtʲ]

Note on огрубить: The stress falls on the second syllable ('rub'), which can be tricky for learners due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the 'г' as a voiced velar fricative.

сделать шероховатым: [sdʲɪˈlatʲ ʂɨˈroxəvətɨm]

Note on сделать шероховатым: The 'ш' in 'шероховатым' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative; ensure smooth linking between words in speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make something rough or uneven (e.g., altering a surface's texture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• огрубить - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as in manufacturing or describing natural processes, to indicate making something coarser.
• сделать шероховатым - Applied in everyday or descriptive scenarios, like in art or casual descriptions, emphasizing a tactile quality.

Usage Examples:

• Механик огрубил поверхность металла для лучшего сцепления. (The mechanic roughened the metal surface for better grip.)

  The mechanic roughened the metal surface for better grip.

• Ветер и холод огрубили кожу рук. (The wind and cold roughened the skin of the hands.)

  The wind and cold roughened the skin of the hands.

• Художник решил сделать шероховатым холст, чтобы краска лучше ложилась. (The artist decided to roughen the canvas so that the paint would adhere better.)

  The artist decided to roughen the canvas so that the paint would adhere better.

• Процесс обработки сделал шероховатым дерево, придав ему естественный вид. (The processing roughened the wood, giving it a natural look.)

  The processing roughened the wood, giving it a natural look.

• Чтобы улучшить трение, инженер огрубил деталь машины. (To improve friction, the engineer roughened the machine part.)

  To improve friction, the engineer roughened the machine part.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs or verb phrases. 'Огрубить' is a first-conjugation verb with aspectual variations (perfective). 'Сделать шероховатым' is a phrase involving an infinitive verb ('сделать') and an adjective ('шероховатый'), which inflects based on gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: шероховатить (to make rough, more specific to surfaces), сделать неровным (to make uneven) - 'Шероховатить' is often used interchangeably but implies a finer texture.
• Antonyms: сгладить (to smooth), выровнять (to level) - 'Сгладить' is commonly used in opposite contexts like polishing.

Related Phrases:

• огрубить кожу - To roughen the skin (often refers to environmental effects like weather; used in health or outdoor contexts).
• сделать шероховатым поверхность - To make the surface rough (common in DIY or engineering for improving adhesion).

Usage Notes:

'Roughen' corresponds most directly to 'огрубить' in formal or technical English-Russian translations, emphasizing a change in texture. Use 'сделать шероховатым' for more descriptive, everyday language. Be mindful of context: 'огрубить' is typically perfective and implies completion, while phrases like 'сделать шероховатым' can be adjusted for aspect. In Russian, these verbs often pair with accusative objects, e.g., "огрубить поверхность". Choose based on register—'огрубить' for scientific writing, 'сделать шероховатым' for casual descriptions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'огрубить' with 'огрубеть' (to become rough oneself). Incorrect: "Я огрубить от холода" (wrong verb form). Correct: "Я огрубел от холода" (I became rough from the cold). Explanation: 'Огрубить' is transitive (acts on something else), while 'огрубеть' is intransitive.

• Error: Overusing in informal speech. Incorrect: Using 'огрубить' in casual chat when 'сделать шероховатым' fits better. Correct: "Сделай поверхность шероховатой" instead of "Огруби поверхность" for everyday instructions. Explanation: 'Огрубить' sounds too formal or literary in non-technical contexts.

Cultural Notes:

While 'огрубить' and related terms don't carry strong cultural connotations, they often appear in Russian literature (e.g., in descriptions of harsh environments in works by authors like Tolstoy), symbolizing endurance or the effects of nature on human life. In modern contexts, it's linked to practical skills in Russian craftsmanship, reflecting a cultural emphasis on resourcefulness in adverse conditions.

Related Concepts:

• шероховатый (rough, as an adjective)
• огрубение (roughening, as a noun process)
• неровный (uneven)