Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'secure'

English Word: secure

Key Russian Translations:

• безопасный [bɪˈzɐ.pɐ.snɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used in contexts emphasizing safety or protection]
• защищать [zəˈʂɕːɪ.tʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Verb; used when implying the action of protecting something]
• обезопасить [ɐ.bʲɪˈzɐ.pɐ.sʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb; used for making something safe, often in practical scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in security-related contexts like technology, law, and daily life, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this CEFR level can grasp the basic forms, but mastering inflections and nuances may require B2 for full proficiency. For 'защищать' as a verb, it might be slightly harder at B2 due to irregular conjugations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

безопасный: [bɪˈzɐ.pɐ.snɨj]

защищать: [zəˈʂɕːɪ.tʲɪtʲ]

обезопасить: [ɐ.bʲɪˈzɐ.pɐ.sʲɪtʲ]

Note on защищать: The 'щ' sound is a palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for English speakers; it's softer than the English 'sh' in 'shoe'. Pronounce it with a slight whistle-like quality.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Safe or protected (as an adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• безопасный - Used in formal contexts like cybersecurity, home security, or public safety; implies a state of being free from danger.

Usage Examples:

• Эта система делает ваш дом безопасным от взломщиков.

  This system makes your home secure from burglars.

• В интернете важно использовать безопасные пароли.

  It's important to use secure passwords on the internet.

• Безопасный маршрут был выбран для экскурсии.

  A secure route was chosen for the excursion.

• Эта зона парка считается безопасной для детей.

  This area of the park is considered secure for children.

• Безопасный полёт гарантируется строгим контролем.

  A secure flight is guaranteed by strict control measures.

Meaning: To protect or make safe (as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• защищать - Used in contexts involving ongoing protection, such as defending rights or shielding from harm; common in legal or military discussions.
• обезопасить - Applied to actions that actively make something safe, like securing a device or preventing risks; more informal and action-oriented.

Usage Examples:

• Правительство должно защищать граждан от терроризма.

  The government must secure citizens from terrorism.

• Я постараюсь обезопасить данные на компьютере.

  I'll try to secure the data on the computer.

• Родители защищают детей от вредного влияния.

  Parents secure children from harmful influences.

• Эта технология помогает обезопасить финансовые транзакции.

  This technology helps to secure financial transactions.

• Военные защищают границу от проникновения.

  The military secures the border from incursions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'безопасный' (adjective), it follows standard Russian adjective declension patterns, which vary by gender, number, and case. It is a regular adjective, so it changes endings accordingly.

For 'защищать' (verb), it is a first-conjugation verb with imperfective aspect. It conjugates irregularly in some forms. Example in present tense:

'Обезопасить' is a perfective verb and follows similar patterns but is less inflected in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: надёжный (nadezhnyy; reliable, often interchangeable in contexts of trust); устойчивый (ustoychivyy; stable, for physical security)
• Antonyms: опасный (opasnyy; dangerous, direct opposite in risk contexts); незащищённый (nezashchishchonnyy; unprotected, emphasizing vulnerability)

Related Phrases:

• обеспечить безопасность - To ensure security; used in formal settings like policy or safety protocols.
• защищённый доступ - Secure access; common in IT and digital security contexts.
• безопасный маршрут - Safe route; often in travel or navigation scenarios.

Usage Notes:

When translating 'secure' to Russian, choose 'безопасный' for static states of safety and 'защищать' for actions. Be mindful of formality: 'обезопасить' is more casual and action-focused, suitable for everyday conversation, while 'защищать' fits official or protective contexts. In Russian, adjectives like 'безопасный' must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. For verbs, aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) is crucial—use 'защищать' for ongoing actions and 'обезопасить' for completed ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'безопасный' without proper declension, e.g., saying "безопасный дом" in genitive case as "безопасный дом" instead of "безопасного дома". Correct: Always decline the adjective to match the noun's case. Explanation: Russian requires agreement, unlike English, so learners must check the sentence structure.
• Error: Confusing verb aspects, e.g., using 'защищать' for a one-time action like "I secured the door" (should be 'обезопасил'). Correct: 'Обезопасил дверь'. Explanation: This mix-up can alter the meaning, making the action seem ongoing rather than completed.
• Error: Overusing 'безопасный' in informal speech; it sounds too formal. Correct: In casual talk, opt for synonyms like 'надёжный'. Explanation: Russian speakers prefer context-appropriate vocabulary to avoid sounding stiff.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of security (e.g., 'безопасность') are heavily influenced by historical events like the Cold War and modern geopolitical tensions. Words like 'защищать' often carry connotations of national defense, reflecting Russia's emphasis on collective security over individual privacy, which differs from Western individualistic approaches.

Related Concepts:

• надёжность
• устойчивость
• защита