Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'transmute'

English Word: transmute

Key Russian Translations:

• Преобразовать [prʲɪ.ɐ.brɐ.ˈza.vatʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used in scientific or transformative contexts]
• Изменить [ɪz.ˈmʲe.nʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Verb, General everyday usage for changes]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical and literary contexts but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Преобразовать: [prʲɪ.ɐ.brɐ.ˈza.vatʲ]

Note on Преобразовать: The stress falls on the third syllable ("za"), and the initial "prʲ" sound is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers. Be careful with the rolling 'r' sound.

Изменить: [ɪz.ˈmʲe.nʲɪtʲ]

Note on Изменить: The 'ɪz' prefix is pronounced with a soft 'z', and the verb often varies in conjugation; focus on the infinitive for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To change the form, nature, or substance of something (e.g., in alchemy or chemistry)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Преобразовать - Used in formal or scientific contexts, such as describing chemical reactions.
• Изменить - Applied in everyday situations for general transformations, but less precise for alchemical meanings.

Usage Examples:

• В алхимии ученые пытались преобразовать свинец в золото.

  In alchemy, scientists tried to transmute lead into gold.

• Этот процесс может преобразовать простые элементы в сложные соединения.

  This process can transmute simple elements into complex compounds.

• Иногда жизнь может изменить нас навсегда, как в историях о трансмутации.

  Sometimes life can transmute us forever, as in stories about transformation.

• Химик использовал реактивы, чтобы изменить структуру молекулы.

  The chemist used reagents to transmute the molecule's structure.

• В фантастике герои часто пытаются преобразовать обычные предметы в магические артефакты.

  In fantasy, heroes often try to transmute ordinary objects into magical artifacts.

Meaning 2: To metaphorically transform or evolve (e.g., personal growth)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Преобразовать - Formal, often in philosophical or literary contexts for profound changes.
• Изменить - Informal, suitable for casual discussions about personal development.

Usage Examples:

• Путешествия могут преобразовать человека, открывая новые перспективы.

  Travel can transmute a person by opening new perspectives.

• Ее опыт войны полностью изменил ее взгляды на жизнь.

  Her experience of war completely transmuted her views on life.

• Медитация помогает преобразовать негативные эмоции в позитивные.

  Meditation helps transmute negative emotions into positive ones.

• Образование способно изменить общество, делая его более прогрессивным.

  Education can transmute society, making it more progressive.

• Этот курс предназначен для того, чтобы преобразовать ваши навыки в профессиональные.

  This course is designed to transmute your skills into professional ones.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Преобразовать" and "Изменить" are verbs, which follow the standard Russian conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. They are imperfective by nature but can have perfective counterparts (e.g., "Преобразовать" pairs with "Преобразить"). Below is a table for "Преобразовать" in the present tense; "Изменить" follows similar rules.

For "Изменить": It is irregular in some aspects but conjugates as follows in present tense: Изменяю, Изменяешь, etc. These verbs do not change in gender or number in their infinitive form but inflect based on tense and aspect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Трансформировать (More technical, often used interchangeably with Преобразовать)
  • Менять (Informal synonym for Изменить, with a focus on exchange or alteration)
• Antonyms:
  • Сохранить (To preserve, opposite in the context of change)
  • Оставить (To leave unchanged, more casual)

Related Phrases:

• Преобразовать материю - To transmute matter (Refers to changing physical substances, common in scientific discussions)
• Изменить судьбу - To change one's fate (Used in literary or philosophical contexts for personal transformation)
• Химическая трансмутация - Chemical transmutation (A fixed phrase in chemistry, emphasizing alchemical roots)

Usage Notes:

"Transmute" aligns closely with "Преобразовать" in formal or scientific English-Russian translations, as it implies a fundamental change. However, in everyday Russian, "Изменить" is preferred for simpler contexts to avoid sounding overly literary. Be mindful of aspect: Use the imperfective form for ongoing actions and perfective for completed ones. When choosing between translations, opt for "Преобразовать" in academic writing and "Изменить" in casual speech to match the appropriate register.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Преобразовать" in place of "Изменить" in informal settings, which can sound pretentious. Correct: In casual conversation, say "Я хочу изменить план" instead of "Я хочу преобразовать план" (I want to transmute the plan). Explanation: "Преобразовать" implies a deeper, more profound change, while "Изменить" is neutral.
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Преобразуетс" instead of "Преобразуется" for reflexive forms. Correct: "Это преобразует себя" (This transmuted itself). Explanation: Russian verbs often require reflexive particles; always check for -ся/-сь endings in reflexive contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of transmutation is deeply tied to historical alchemy and literature, such as in the works of Russian authors like Pushkin, who referenced alchemical ideas. It also appears in modern contexts like Soviet-era science fiction, symbolizing transformation under adversity, which reflects themes of resilience in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• Мутация (Mutation)
• Эволюция (Evolution)
• Альтернатива (Alternative)