Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'symbolise'

English Word: symbolise

Key Russian Translations:

• символизировать [sʲɪm.vɐ.lʲɪ.zɨ.rʲə.vatʲ] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, literary, and philosophical contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding complex verb conjugations and formal vocabulary; suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

символизировать: [sʲɪm.vɐ.lʲɪ.zɨ.rʲə.vatʲ]

Note on символизировать: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("зи"), and the initial "с" is palatalized. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech, where some consonants may soften.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To represent or be a symbol of something (e.g., to embody an abstract idea through a concrete form).

Translation(s) & Context:

• символизировать - Used in formal writing, discussions, or artistic contexts to describe something that stands for a deeper meaning, such as in literature or philosophy.

Usage Examples:

• Эта статуя символизирует мужество и стойкость народа.

  This statue symbolizes the courage and resilience of the people.

• В этой картине цветок символизирует надежду в трудные времена.

  In this painting, the flower symbolizes hope during difficult times.

• Флаг символизирует единство и независимость страны.

  The flag symbolizes the unity and independence of the country.

• Автор использует метафоры, чтобы символизировать внутренние конфликты персонажа.

  The author uses metaphors to symbolize the internal conflicts of the character.

• В древних мифах животные часто символизируют человеческие качества, такие как хитрость или мудрость.

  In ancient myths, animals often symbolize human qualities, such as cunning or wisdom.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Символизировать is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most forms, but as a longer verb derived from foreign roots, it may feel irregular to beginners. It is intransitive and can be conjugated across tenses, aspects, moods, and persons. Below is a table outlining key inflections:

Note: This verb does not have perfective counterparts in standard usage, so it remains in its imperfective form for ongoing or general actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • персонифицировать (to personify; more specific to giving human qualities)
  • изображать (to depict; often used in artistic contexts with subtle differences)
  • выражать (to express; implies conveying through symbols indirectly)
• Antonyms:
  • отвергать (to reject; implies denying symbolic meaning)
  • сокрывать (to conceal; opposite in the sense of hiding rather than revealing)

Related Phrases:

• символизировать свободу (symbolize freedom) - A common phrase in discussions of national symbols or art, referring to representing liberty and independence.
• символизировать перемены (symbolize change) - Used in contexts like politics or literature to denote transformation or progress.
• символизировать надежду (symbolize hope) - Often appears in motivational or poetic language, emphasizing optimism in challenging situations.

Usage Notes:

Символизировать is a direct equivalent to 'symbolise' in English, particularly in formal or abstract contexts, but it is less common in casual speech. English speakers should note that Russian often requires more explicit context for abstract concepts, so pair it with nouns like 'свободу' or 'надежду' for clarity. It is typically used in written Russian, such as essays or analyses, and can be aspectually imperfective, meaning it describes ongoing or habitual symbolization. When choosing between synonyms like 'персонифицировать', opt for символизировать if the focus is on general representation rather than human-like qualities.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the verb in the wrong tense, e.g., confusing present and past forms like saying "он символизирует" when past tense is needed. Correct: Use "он символизировал" for past actions. Explanation: Russian verbs require precise tense agreement, unlike English where context can imply time.

• Error: Overusing in informal settings, e.g., saying "Это символизирует" in casual chat instead of simpler words like "Это значит". Correct: In everyday talk, use "представлять" or rephrase. Explanation: This makes speech sound overly formal and unnatural for native speakers.

• Error: Mispronouncing the palatalized 'с' as a hard 's'. Correct Pronunciation: [sʲɪm.vɐ.lʲɪ.zɨ.rʲə.vatʲ], with a soft, almost 'sh'-like sound. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings, as palatalization is key in Russian phonetics.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like символизировать often appear in discussions of national symbols, such as the use of the bear to symbolize Russia or the birch tree in folklore, reflecting themes of resilience and national identity. This reflects Russia's rich literary tradition, influenced by writers like Tolstoy, where symbols are used to convey deeper philosophical or emotional layers.

Related Concepts:

• метафора (metaphor)
• аллегория (allegory)
• эмблема (emblem)