Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seize'

English Word: seize

Key Russian Translations:

• захватить /zɐx.vɐˈtʲitʲ/ - [Formal, used for capturing or taking control]
• схватить /s.xvaˈtʲitʲ/ - [Informal, used for grabbing suddenly or physically seizing]
• овладеть /ɐv.laˈdʲetʲ/ - [Formal, used in contexts of gaining control or possession]

Frequency: Medium - The verb 'seize' and its Russian equivalents are commonly encountered in everyday language, literature, and news, but not as frequent as basic verbs like 'take' or 'go'.

Difficulty: B2 - Intermediate level, as it involves understanding nuanced verb conjugations and context-specific usage; 'захватить' and 'схватить' may be slightly easier (B1) for beginners, while 'овладеть' could reach B2 due to its abstract connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

захватить: /zɐx.vɐˈtʲitʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'х' is a guttural sound like in Scottish 'loch').

Note on захватить: Be cautious with the soft 'тʲ' sound, which is palatalized; common in formal speech.

схватить: /s.xvaˈtʲitʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; 'x' is aspirated).

Note on схватить: This word often involves a quick, emphatic pronunciation to convey urgency; regional variations may soften the 'x' in some dialects.

овладеть: /ɐv.laˈdʲetʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; 'дʲ' is palatalized).

Note on овладеть: The initial 'о' can sound more like a schwa in fast speech; practice with native speakers for accurate intonation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly (e.g., physically grabbing).

Translation(s) & Context:

• схватить - Used in informal, everyday situations involving quick action, such as in emergencies or physical confrontations.
• захватить - Applied in more formal or metaphorical contexts, like seizing power or territory.

Usage Examples:

• Он схватил сумку и побежал. (He seized the bag and ran.)

  English: He grabbed the bag and ran away. (This example shows 'схватить' in a simple, action-oriented sentence.)

• Полиция захватила подозреваемого на месте преступления. (The police seized the suspect at the crime scene.)

  English: The police captured the suspect at the crime scene. (Illustrates 'захватить' in a formal, legal context.)

• В панике она схватила ребенка за руку. (In panic, she seized the child by the hand.)

  English: In panic, she grabbed the child by the hand. (Demonstrates emotional urgency with 'схватить'.)

• Бандиты захватили здание банка. (The bandits seized the bank building.)

  English: The bandits took control of the bank building. (Shows 'захватить' in a dramatic, narrative context.)

Meaning 2: To take possession or control of something, often legally or strategically.

Translation(s) & Context:

• овладеть - Used for intellectual or strategic seizure, like mastering a skill or taking over assets.
• захватить - In contexts involving authority, such as in military or governmental actions.

Usage Examples:

• Армия овладела ключевыми позициями. (The army seized key positions.)

  English: The army took control of key positions. (This highlights 'овладеть' in a military strategy context.)

• Правительство решило овладеть компанией. (The government decided to seize the company.)

  English: The government decided to take possession of the company. (Shows 'овладеть' in a business or legal setting.)

• Он овладел ситуацией и принял правильное решение. (He seized the situation and made the right decision.)

  English: He took control of the situation and made the right decision. (Illustrates metaphorical use of 'овладеть'.)

• Войска захватили город за несколько часов. (The troops seized the city in a few hours.)

  English: The troops captured the city in a few hours. (Emphasizes 'захватить' in warfare.)

• Суд постановил захватить имущество должника. (The court ordered to seize the debtor's property.)

  English: The court ordered the seizure of the debtor's property. (Demonstrates legal application.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Russian verbs have imperfective and perfective aspects; for 'seize', the perfective aspect is often used to indicate completion.

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the infinitive form but do in the past tense. They are irregular in some conjugations, especially in the future tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • захватить - Alternatives: отобрать (to take away), конфисковать (to confiscate; more formal, often legal)
  • схватить - Alternatives: ухватить (to grasp; less intense), поймать (to catch)
  • овладеть - Alternatives: завладеть (to take possession; similar nuance), подчинить (to subdue)
• Antonyms:
  • освободить (to release)
  • отпустить (to let go)
  • покинуть (to abandon)

Related Phrases:

• захватить власть - To seize power; used in political contexts to describe coups or takeovers.
• схватить за руку - To seize by the hand; common in literal or metaphorical expressions of restraint.
• овладеть ситуацией - To seize control of the situation; implies regaining composure or authority.

Usage Notes:

'Seize' in English often implies a sudden, forceful action, which aligns closely with 'схватить' for physical acts and 'захватить' for broader control. Choose 'овладеть' for more intellectual or emotional mastery. Be mindful of the perfective aspect in Russian, which emphasizes completion—e.g., use 'захватить' for a finished event. In formal writing, prefer 'захватить' over 'схватить' to avoid sounding casual. Synonyms like 'конфисковать' may be more appropriate in legal scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspect: Learners often use the imperfective form incorrectly; e.g., saying "я захватываю" instead of "я захватил" for a completed action. Correct: Use perfective for finished events, as in "Я захватил документ" (I seized the document).
• Misapplying context: Mixing up 'схватить' and 'захватить'; e.g., saying "Я схватил власть" when 'захватить власть' is more idiomatic. Error example: "Схватить власть" (incorrect nuance); Correct: "Захватить власть".
• Overusing in informal speech: Beginners might overuse 'схватить' in formal contexts; e.g., "Схватить компанию" instead of "Овладеть компанией". Explanation: 'Схватить' sounds too physical for abstract concepts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'захватить' often carry historical connotations from events such as the Russian Revolution, where seizing power was a central theme. This can add a layer of intensity or drama in literature, reflecting Russia's turbulent history.

Related Concepts:

• контроль (control)
• власть (power)
• плен (captivity)