Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'subdivide'

English Word: subdivide

Key Russian Translations:

• подразделить [pɐd.rʊˈz.dʲe.lʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in technical or administrative contexts]
• разделить [rɐz.dʲeˈlʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, general use, but less precise for hierarchical division]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in business, legal, and scientific contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and context-specific usage; "подразделить" may be more challenging due to its formal nature)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подразделить: [pɐd.rʊˈz.dʲe.lʲɪtʲ]

разделить: [rɐz.dʲeˈlʲɪtʲ]

Note on подразделить: The stress falls on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the 'д'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To divide something into smaller, more specific parts or subsections.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подразделить - Used in formal settings like organizational structures or legal documents to imply a structured division.
• разделить - Applied in everyday contexts for general splitting, but may not convey the hierarchical aspect.

Usage Examples:

• Мы решили подразделить компанию на несколько отделов для лучшей эффективности.

  We decided to subdivide the company into several departments for better efficiency.

• В отчёте необходимо подразделить затраты по категориям.

  In the report, it is necessary to subdivide the expenses by categories.

• Если разделить задачу, она станет проще в выполнении.

  If you subdivide the task, it will become easier to accomplish.

• Правительство планирует подразделить территорию на зоны для развития.

  The government plans to subdivide the territory into zones for development.

• В учебнике автор разделил главу, чтобы подразделить материал по темам.

  In the textbook, the author divided the chapter to subdivide the material by topics.

Secondary Meaning: To create subdivisions in a broader sense, such as in mapping or planning.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подразделить - Preferred in technical or geographical contexts for precise division.

Usage Examples:

• Геологи подразделили регион на мелкие секции для детального анализа.

  Geologists subdivided the region into smaller sections for detailed analysis.

• Чтобы упростить навигацию, мы подразделим карту на квадраты.

  To simplify navigation, we will subdivide the map into squares.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "подразделить" and "разделить" are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but can have irregularities in certain forms. "Подразделить" is a prefixed verb based on "разделить".

Note: These verbs are aspectual; "подразделить" is perfective, implying completion, while imperfective forms like "подразделять" exist for ongoing actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • разделить (more general, often interchangeable in informal contexts)
  • фрагментировать (to fragment, used in technical contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • объединить (to unite or combine)
  • сливать (to merge)

Fine distinctions: "Разделить" is a close synonym but lacks the hierarchical nuance of "подразделить", which is better for organizational structures.

Related Phrases:

• Подразделить на части - To subdivide into parts (used when breaking down complex systems).
• Разделить территорию - To subdivide territory (common in legal or geographical discussions).
• Подразделение компании - Subdivision of a company (a nominal phrase derived from the verb, meaning a department or branch).

Usage Notes:

"Подразделить" is the more precise translation for "subdivide" in contexts involving structured or hierarchical division, such as in business or administration, while "разделить" suits everyday splitting. English speakers should note that Russian verbs often require perfective/imperfective pairs; use "подразделить" for completed actions. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, prefer "подразделить" over "разделить" to match the exact connotation. If the division is not hierarchical, "разделить" might be more appropriate.

• Grammar tip: Always conjugate based on subject gender and number in the past tense.
• Choose between translations based on formality; "подразделить" is safer for professional English equivalents.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "подразделить" with "разделить", using the latter in formal contexts where hierarchy is implied. For example:

• Error: "Я разделил компанию" (incorrect if emphasizing structured subdivision).
• Correct: "Я подразделил компанию" – This better conveys the subdivided structure. Explanation: "Разделить" implies simple division, while "подразделить" adds a layer of organization, avoiding ambiguity.
• Another error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "подразделить" in the present tense without adjusting for person, like "Он подразделить" instead of "Он подразделяет". Always match the verb form to the subject.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture and bureaucracy, words like "подразделить" reflect a historical emphasis on hierarchical structures, stemming from Soviet-era administrative practices. This can imply not just physical division but also organizational efficiency, which is valued in Russian professional environments.

Related Concepts:

• разделение
• структурирование
• организация