Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seclude'

English Word: seclude

Key Russian Translations:

• уединить [u.ɛ.dʲɪˈnʲitʲ] - [Formal, used for personal or voluntary isolation]
• изолировать [i.zɐ.lʲiˈravatʲ] - [Formal, Technical, often in scientific or medical contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This verb is not among the most common in everyday Russian conversation but appears regularly in literature, psychological discussions, and formal writing.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding verb conjugations and context-specific usage; for "уединить," it's B1, while "изолировать" may lean toward B2 due to its technical connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

уединить: [u.ɛ.dʲɪˈnʲitʲ]

Note on уединить: The stress falls on the third syllable ("dʲɪ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; ensure a clear "y" sound in "dʲɪ."

изолировать: [i.zɐ.lʲiˈravatʲ]

Note on изолировать: The initial "i" is pronounced as a short vowel, and the word has a rolling "r"; common in formal speech, with stress on the fourth syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To isolate or keep apart from others, often for privacy or protection

Translation(s) & Context:

• уединить - Used in personal or emotional contexts, such as withdrawing for reflection; common in literary or everyday scenarios involving solitude.
• изолировать - Applied in technical, medical, or safety-related situations, like quarantining; less personal and more objective in tone.

Usage Examples:

• Она уединила себя в загородном доме, чтобы избежать городской суеты.

  She secluded herself in a country house to escape the city hustle.

• Во время пандемии врачи изолировали пациентов в специальных палатах.

  During the pandemic, doctors secluded patients in special wards.

• Родители уединили ребенка в своей комнате для наказания.

  The parents secluded the child in his room as punishment.

• Писатель уединил себя в библиотеке, чтобы закончить роман.

  The writer secluded himself in the library to finish the novel.

• В экстремальных условиях спасатели изолировали группу от опасности.

  In extreme conditions, rescuers secluded the group from danger.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "уединить" and "изолировать" are verbs (perfective aspect for "уединить"; both perfective and imperfective forms exist for "изолировать"). Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Уединить" is a perfective verb, while "изолировать" can be imperfective ("изолировать") or perfective ("изолировать" in context). Below is a conjugation table for each:

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms but follow standard patterns for first-conjugation verbs. If the verb is used reflexively (e.g., уединиться), it adds a reflexive particle "-ся."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отделить - Similar to "separate," but more physical; often used interchangeably with уединить in casual contexts.
  • скрыть - Implies hiding, with a nuance of concealment, suitable for emotional seclusion.
• Antonyms:
  • объединить - Means "to unite," directly opposite in contexts of isolation.
  • включить - Means "to include," contrasting with seclusion in social settings.

Related Phrases:

• уединиться в одиночестве - To seclude oneself in solitude; used for personal reflection or escape from society.
• изолировать от внешнего мира - To seclude from the outside world; common in discussions of quarantine or protection.
• уединить в комнате - To seclude in a room; a phrase for temporary isolation, like in parenting or therapy.

Usage Notes:

Choose "уединить" for contexts involving voluntary or emotional isolation, as it aligns closely with the English "seclude" in personal scenarios, such as meditation or privacy-seeking. "Изолировать" is better for technical or enforced separation, like in medicine or safety protocols. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: use perfective forms (e.g., уединить) for completed actions and imperfective for ongoing ones. In formal writing, these verbs often pair with prepositions like "в" (in) or "от" (from) to specify the seclusion's location or source.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "уединить" with "уединиться" (the reflexive form). Incorrect: "Я уединить себя" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я уединился" (I secluded myself). Explanation: Russian verbs often require the reflexive particle "-ся" for self-actions, which English speakers might overlook.
• Mistake: Using "изолировать" in everyday emotional contexts. Incorrect: "Я изолировал себя от друзей из-за грусти" (sounds too clinical). Correct: "Я уединил себя от друзей из-за грусти." Explanation: "Изолировать" implies a more detached, professional tone, so opt for "уединить" in personal narratives to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, seclusion (e.g., via "уединить") often carries positive connotations, reflecting the value placed on introspection and solitude, as seen in literary works by authors like Tolstoy. However, excessive isolation might evoke themes of melancholy or "toska" (a deep spiritual anguish), highlighting Russia's historical emphasis on individual resilience amid vast landscapes.

Related Concepts:

• одиночество (solitude)
• изоляция (isolation)
• скрытность (secrecy or reclusiveness)