Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'simulate'

English Word: simulate

Key Russian Translations:

• симулировать [sʲɪmʊˈlʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Used in technical or scientific contexts]
• имитировать [ɪmʲɪtʲɪˈravatʲ] - [Formal, Common in everyday and professional language]

Frequency: Medium (Frequently used in scientific, technological, and educational contexts, but less common in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage. For 'симулировать', it may be slightly more advanced due to its specialized connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

симулировать: [sʲɪmʊˈlʲirəvətʲ]

имитировать: [ɪmʲɪtʲɪˈravatʲ]

Note on симулировать: The stress falls on the third syllable ('lʲir'), which can be tricky for beginners; ensure proper emphasis to avoid miscommunication.

Note on имитировать: Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech, with the initial 'и' sounding more like a short 'i'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To imitate or replicate something, often in a controlled or artificial manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• симулировать - Used in scientific experiments or simulations, such as in computer modeling or medical training.
• имитировать - Applied in broader contexts, like role-playing or replicating real-world scenarios in education.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: В лаборатории мы симулируем землетрясение, чтобы протестировать здания.

  English: In the laboratory, we simulate an earthquake to test buildings.

• Русский: Этот тренажер имитирует полет самолета для обучения пилотов.

  English: This simulator imitates flying a plane for pilot training.

• Русский: В компьютерной игре игроки симулируют исторические битвы с высокой степенью реализма.

  English: In the computer game, players simulate historical battles with a high degree of realism.

• Русский: Актеры имитируют эмоции, чтобы сделать сцену более убедительной.

  English: Actors imitate emotions to make the scene more convincing.

• Русский: Ученые симулируют климатические изменения, используя сложные модели.

  English: Scientists simulate climate changes using complex models.

To pretend or feign something, such as an illness

Translation(s) & Context:

• симулировать - Often used in medical or psychological contexts, implying deception.
• имитировать - Less common for this meaning; prefer in non-deceptive scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Русский: Он симулировал болезнь, чтобы избежать работы.

  English: He simulated illness to avoid work.

• Русский: В фильме персонаж имитирует страх, но на самом деле он хладнокровен.

  English: In the movie, the character imitates fear, but he is actually cold-blooded.

• Русский: Пациент симулировал боль, но врач быстро это разоблачил.

  English: The patient simulated pain, but the doctor quickly uncovered it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'симулировать' and 'имитировать' are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which follow regular patterns but have complexities in aspect and conjugation. They are imperfective verbs, often paired with perfective counterparts for complete usage.

Perfective forms: 'симулировать' pairs with 'симулировать' in some contexts, but more commonly uses 'имитировать' with perfective 'имитировать' in extended senses. These verbs do not change irregularly but require attention to aspect for accurate usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • подражать (to mimic, often with a connotation of copying behavior)
  • копировать (to copy, more literal in replication)
  • моделировать (to model, especially in scientific contexts; slight difference in precision)
• Antonyms:
  • оригинал (original, as in not simulated)
  • реализовывать (to realize or actualize, implying authenticity)

Related Phrases:

• Симулировать ситуацию - To simulate a situation (Used in training or testing environments)
• Имитировать поведение - To imitate behavior (Common in psychology or animal studies)
• Компьютерное моделирование - Computer simulation (A fixed phrase in tech contexts)

Usage Notes:

'Симулировать' is more precise for scientific or technical simulations, while 'имитировать' is versatile and can be used in everyday language. English users should note that Russian verbs require aspect consideration; for example, use the imperfective for ongoing actions. In formal writing, 'симулировать' might be preferred for accuracy, but 'имитировать' is safer in general contexts to avoid sounding overly technical.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'симулировать' with 'имитировать' and using them interchangeably without context. Correct: Use 'симулировать' for controlled experiments (e.g., "Мы симулируем реакцию."). Incorrect: "Мы имитируем реакцию" might imply a less precise imitation. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in professional settings where precision matters.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "Я симулирует" instead of "Я симулирую". Correct: Always match the subject with the proper ending. Explanation: Russian verbs change based on person and number, unlike English, so learners must practice conjugations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'симулировать' are prominent in scientific and educational contexts, reflecting Russia's strong emphasis on engineering and space exploration (e.g., in programs like those of Roscosmos). This word often carries a neutral connotation but can imply deception in everyday use, as seen in literature like Chekhov's works, where feigned emotions are explored.

Related Concepts:

• моделировать
• эмулировать
• реконструировать