Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'supervise'

English Word: supervise

Key Russian Translations:

• надзирать (/nədˈzʲirətʲ/) - [Formal, often used in official or professional contexts]
• контролировать (/kəntrəlʲiˈrovətʲ/) - [Informal to Formal, versatile and commonly used in everyday and business settings]

Frequency: Medium - This verb is encountered regularly in professional and educational contexts but not as frequently as basic daily verbs.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the concept with practice, though verb conjugations may pose challenges for beginners.

Pronunciation (Russian):

надзирать: /nədˈzʲirətʲ/ - The stress is on the second syllable; the 'з' sound is soft and palatalized, which is common in Russian verbs.

Note on надзирать: Pay attention to the soft 'зʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to harder consonants. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowel sounds slightly.

контролировать: /kəntrəlʲiˈrovətʲ/ - Stress on the fourth syllable; the 'лʲ' is palatalized, making it sound more fluid.

Note on контролировать: This word often has a rolling 'р' in faster speech, which is a key feature of Russian phonetics. Avoid overemphasizing the vowels.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To oversee or direct the work or activities of others, ensuring proper execution.

Translation(s) & Context:

• надзирать - Used in formal settings like workplaces or institutions, emphasizing watchful oversight without interference.
• контролировать - Applied in both formal and informal contexts, such as managing projects or monitoring progress, with a connotation of active control.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен надзирать за работой команды, чтобы всё было выполнено вовремя.

  I must supervise the team's work to ensure everything is completed on time. (This example shows the verb in a professional context, highlighting oversight.)

• В школе учитель контролирует учеников во время экзамена.

  In school, the teacher supervises the students during the exam. (Here, it demonstrates use in an educational setting with a focus on monitoring.)

• Менеджер надзирает за проектом, чтобы избежать ошибок.

  The manager supervises the project to avoid mistakes. (This illustrates the verb in a managerial role, emphasizing prevention.)

• Родители должны контролировать, как дети используют интернет.

  Parents should supervise how children use the internet. (Shows application in family contexts, with a broader sense of guidance.)

• Инспектор контролирует строительство здания на стройплощадке.

  The inspector supervises the building construction at the site. (This example varies the structure, using it in a regulatory context.)

Meaning 2: To watch over someone or something to maintain order or safety.

Translation(s) & Context:

• надзирать - Particularly in security or supervisory roles, where observation is key without direct involvement.
• контролировать - In situations involving active intervention, such as safety protocols or child care.

Usage Examples:

• В зоопарке смотрители надзирают за животными, чтобы обеспечить их безопасность.

  In the zoo, keepers supervise the animals to ensure their safety. (This highlights use in animal care, focusing on passive oversight.)

• Полиция контролирует толпу во время митинга.

  The police supervise the crowd during the rally. (Demonstrates application in public safety scenarios.)

• Няня надзирает за детьми в парке.

  The nanny supervises the children in the park. (Shows everyday use in childcare.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "надзирать" and "контролировать" are verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. They are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions.

For "надзирать" (imperfective):

For "контролировать" (imperfective), it follows a similar pattern but with slight variations in endings:

These verbs are regular in their conjugations, but past tense endings change based on gender (e.g., -л for masculine, -ла for feminine).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • руководить (rukovodit' - to lead or manage; more authoritative than надзирать)
  • наблюдать (nabljudat' - to observe; less formal and more neutral)
• Antonyms:
  • игнорировать (ignorirovat' - to ignore)
  • оставлять без внимания (ostavljat' bez vnimaniya - to leave unattended)

Related Phrases:

• Под строгим надзором (Pod strogim nadzorom) - Under strict supervision; used in contexts like security or discipline.
• Контролировать процесс (Kontrolirovat' protsess) - To supervise the process; common in business or manufacturing.
• Надзирать за детьми (Nadzirat' za det'mi) - To supervise children; typical in parenting or educational phrases.

Usage Notes:

"Надзирать" is more formal and implies passive observation, making it ideal for professional settings, while "контролировать" suggests active involvement and is versatile for daily use. English speakers should note that Russian verbs often require aspectual pairs (e.g., perfective counterparts like "надзор" for completed actions). Choose based on context: use "надзирать" for oversight without interference, and "контролировать" when direct management is needed. Always consider the imperfective aspect for ongoing supervision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "надзирать" with "наблюдать" and using it interchangeably. Correct: "Надзирать" implies authority, while "наблюдать" is neutral observation. Example of error: *Я наблюдаю за работой* (incorrect if authority is intended); Correct: Я надзираю за работой. Explanation: This mix-up can dilute the sense of control in formal contexts.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation in past tense, e.g., saying "надзиралa" for a masculine subject. Correct: Use gender-appropriate endings. Example of error: *Она надзирал* (wrong); Correct: Она надзирала. Explanation: Russian verbs agree with the subject's gender in the past tense, which is a common pitfall for English learners.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, supervision (e.g., "надзирать") often reflects hierarchical structures, as seen in historical contexts like the Soviet era's emphasis on state oversight. This can carry connotations of authority and accountability, influencing its use in modern professional environments to maintain order and efficiency.

Related Concepts:

• руководство (rukovodstvo - leadership)
• контроль (kontrol' - control)
• наблюдение (nabljudenie - observation)