Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'solve'

English Word: solve

Key Russian Translations:

• решить (reshit') [rʲɪˈʂɪtʲ] - [Formal, used for solving problems or making decisions]
• разрешить (razreshit') [rɐˈzrʲɛʂɪtʲ] - [Formal, often in legal or conflict resolution contexts]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversation, literature, and professional settings in Russian-speaking regions).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and basic sentence structures, but accessible to learners beyond beginner level. For 'решить', it's B1; for 'разрешить', it might lean towards B2 due to more nuanced usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

решить: [rʲɪˈʂɪtʲ] (The 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'she', but more emphatic; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on решить: Be careful with the soft 'р' and the palatalized 'тʲ'; common mispronunciation by English speakers involves over-emphasizing the 'r' sound.

разрешить: [rɐˈzrʲɛʂɪtʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the prefix 'раз-' can vary slightly in speed based on regional dialects.)

Note on разрешить: The initial 'р' is rolled, which might be challenging for non-native speakers; practice with native audio for fluidity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To find a solution to a problem or puzzle.

Translation(s) & Context:

• решить - Used in everyday problem-solving contexts, such as math or personal dilemmas (e.g., in informal or formal discussions).
• разрешить - Applied in contexts involving conflicts, permissions, or official resolutions (e.g., legal or administrative scenarios).

Usage Examples:

• Я смог решить эту задачу за пять минут. (Ya smoh resh-it' etu zadachu za pyat' minut.)

  I was able to solve this task in five minutes. (Demonstrates basic verb usage in a simple sentence.)

• Нам нужно решить проблему с транспортом. (Nam nuzhno resh-it' problemu s transportom.)

  We need to solve the transportation problem. (Shows usage in a practical, real-world context.)

• Судья решил разрешить спор между сторонами. (Sud'ya resh-il razresh-it' spor mezhdu storonami.)

  The judge decided to resolve the dispute between the parties. (Illustrates the nuanced difference with 'разрешить' in a formal setting.)

• Дети решили загадку вместе. (Deti resh-ili zagadku vmeste.)

  The children solved the riddle together. (Highlights plural subject and collaborative context.)

• Инженеры смогли разрешить техническую неисправность. (Inzhenery smogli razresh-it' tekhnicheskuyu neisprawnost'.)

  The engineers were able to fix the technical malfunction. (Emphasizes professional or technical usage.)

Meaning 2: To resolve or settle an issue (e.g., a conflict).

Translation(s) & Context:

• разрешить - Preferred in contexts involving authority or mediation (e.g., interpersonal or official disputes).
• решить - Used more broadly for personal or intellectual resolution.

Usage Examples:

• Они смогли разрешить конфликт мирным путём. (Oni smogli razresh-it' konflikt mirnym putem.)

  They were able to resolve the conflict peacefully. (Focuses on peaceful negotiation.)

• Я решил не вмешиваться в их спор. (Ya resh-il ne vmeshivat'sya v ikh spor.)

  I decided not to get involved in their argument. (Shows decision-making aspect in a neutral context.)

• Правительство решило разрешить забастовку. (Pravitel'stvo resh-ilo razresh-it' zabastovku.)

  The government decided to end the strike. (Demonstrates official usage.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'решить' and 'разрешить' are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. 'Решить' is a perfective verb, often used for completed actions, while 'разрешить' can be similar but with a focus on permission.

For 'решить' (infinitive):

For 'разрешить', it follows a similar pattern but with irregularities in some forms due to the prefix. It is also perfective. Note: These verbs do not change in the imperative or other moods without additional context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уладить (uladit') - More formal, implies smoothing over issues.
  • исправить (ispravit') - Specifically for fixing errors or mistakes.
• Antonyms:
  • усугубить (usugubit') - To worsen or complicate.
  • осложнить (oslozhnit') - To make more difficult.

Related Phrases:

• Решить проблему (Reshit' problemu) - To solve a problem; common in daily life for addressing challenges.
• Разрешить вопрос (Razreshit' vopros) - To resolve an issue; often used in professional or bureaucratic contexts.
• Найти решение (Nayti resheniye) - To find a solution; a fixed phrase for problem-solving strategies.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'решить' directly corresponds to the English 'solve' for intellectual or practical problems, but it's often paired with nouns like 'проблему' to specify. 'Разрешить' is better for situations involving permission or conflict, making it less direct. Always consider the aspect: Russian verbs have perfective (completed) and imperfective (ongoing) forms, so 'решить' is perfective—use 'решать' for ongoing actions. In formal writing, opt for 'разрешить' to convey authority.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'решить' with 'разрешить': English learners might use 'решить' in legal contexts where 'разрешить' is more appropriate. Error: "Я решу спор" (incorrect for formal resolution). Correct: "Я разрешу спор". Explanation: 'Решить' implies personal solving, while 'разрешить' involves granting permission.
• Incorrect conjugation: Forgetting gender agreement in past tense, e.g., saying "Она решал" instead of "Она решила". Explanation: Past tense verbs agree with the subject's gender; always match the ending accordingly.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'решить' often reflect a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, influenced by historical contexts such as Soviet-era engineering and resilience. For instance, in literature like Dostoevsky's works, resolving internal conflicts ('решить') symbolizes personal growth, highlighting the cultural emphasis on introspection and resolution in the face of adversity.

Related Concepts:

• проблема (problema) - Problem
• решение (resheniye) - Solution
• конфликт (konflikt) - Conflict