Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stonewall'

English Word: stonewall

Key Russian Translations:

• каменная стена [kɐˈmʲenːəjə ˈstenə] - [Noun, Formal, Used in architectural or historical contexts]
• уклоняться [ʊklɐˈnʲat͡ɕɪ] - [Verb, Informal, Used to describe obstruction or evasion in discussions]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "stonewall" as a verb is more common in political or media discussions, while the noun form is less frequent in everyday speech)

Difficulty: B2 for "уклоняться" (requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts), A2 for "каменная стена" (basic vocabulary for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

каменная стена: [kɐˈmʲenːəjə ˈstenə]

Note on каменная стена: The stress falls on the first syllable of "стена." Pronounce the "е" as a soft "ye" sound, common in Russian feminine nouns.

уклоняться: [ʊklɐˈnʲat͡ɕɪ]

Note on уклоняться: This is a verb with potential palatalization; the "ть" ending softens the preceding consonant. Be mindful of the infinitive form's stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A wall made of stone (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• каменная стена - Used in literal descriptions of architecture, history, or physical structures, often in formal or descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• В саду стоит старая каменная стена, окружённая цветами.

  In the garden stands an old stonewall, surrounded by flowers. (This example shows the noun in a descriptive, everyday context.)

• Каменная стена древнего замка устояла против времени.

  The stonewall of the ancient castle withstood the passage of time. (Illustrates use in historical or durable contexts.)

• Они построили каменную стену для защиты от ветра.

  They built a stonewall to protect against the wind. (Demonstrates practical, functional usage.)

• Путешественники любовались высокой каменной стеной на горизонте.

  Travelers admired the tall stonewall on the horizon. (Shows use in narrative or travel descriptions.)

Meaning 2: To obstruct or delay by refusing to answer or cooperate (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уклоняться - Used in contexts like politics, interviews, or negotiations to imply evasion or deliberate obstruction.

Usage Examples:

• Политик начал уклоняться от вопросов журналистов во время пресс-конференции.

  The politician started to stonewall the journalists' questions during the press conference. (This highlights evasion in a formal setting.)

• В переговорах они уклонялись от обсуждения ключевых тем.

  In the negotiations, they stonewalled the discussion of key topics. (Shows use in diplomatic or business contexts.)

• Она уклонялась от ответа, чтобы выиграть время.

  She stonewalled the response to buy some time. (Illustrates personal or informal obstruction.)

• Компания уклонялась от расследований, скрывая документы.

  The company stonewalled the investigations by hiding documents. (Demonstrates use in legal or corporate scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "каменная стена" (feminine noun, first declension):

For "уклоняться" (infinitive verb, imperfective aspect):

This is an imperfective verb that conjugates irregularly in some forms. It does not change in the infinitive but follows standard patterns:

• Present: уклоняюсь (I stonewall), уклоняешься (you stonewall), уклоняется (he/she stonewalls), etc.
• Past: уклонялся (masc.), уклонялась (fem.), уклонялось (neut.)
• Future: буду уклоняться

Note: As an imperfective verb, it indicates ongoing action and requires aspectual pairs for perfective forms (e.g., уклониться for completed action).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • саботировать (to sabotage; implies more active obstruction)
  • блокировать (to block; used in digital or physical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • сотрудничать (to cooperate)
  • отвечать (to respond; directly contrasts with evasion)

Related Phrases:

• Каменная стена молчания - A wall of silence; refers to a deliberate refusal to speak, often in investigations.
• Уклоняться от ответственности - To evade responsibility; commonly used in legal or ethical discussions.
• Построить каменную стену - To build a stonewall; metaphorical for creating barriers in relationships.

Usage Notes:

"Stonewall" as "каменная стена" is a straightforward literal translation, suitable for basic descriptions, but in Russian, it's more common to use this in historical or architectural contexts rather than everyday speech. For the verb form "уклоняться," it captures the evasive nuance but is less formal than English "stonewall"; prefer it in informal or journalistic settings. When choosing between translations, select based on context: use "каменная стена" for physical objects and "уклоняться" for behavioral obstruction. Grammatically, ensure verbs agree with subject gender and number in Russian sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "уклоняться" without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "уклонять" instead of "уклоняться" in infinitive form. Correct: Always use the full infinitive; incorrect example: "Он уклонять вопросы" (wrong). Right: "Он уклоняется от вопросов" (He stonewalls the questions). Explanation: Russian verbs require specific endings for tense and aspect.
• Mistake: Confusing cases with "каменная стена," e.g., using nominative in genitive contexts. Correct: Instead of "Я видел каменная стена" (wrong genitive), say "Я видел каменную стену." Explanation: Learners often overlook declension, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "stonewall" may evoke historical fortifications like the Kremlin walls, symbolizing resilience. Additionally, the term relates to the Stonewall Riots in LGBTQ+ history, translated as "Стоунволлские бунты," which has influenced Russian discussions on human rights, though it's less prominent due to cultural sensitivities.

Related Concepts:

• стена (wall)
• саботаж (sabotage)
• барьер (barrier)