Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unbalance'

English Word: unbalance

Key Russian Translations:

• несбалансировать [nʲɪs.ba.lan.sʲi.rə.'vatʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• нарушить равновесие [na.'ru.ʂʲitʲ ra.vɐ.'vʲe.sʲje] - [Informal, Idiomatic expression]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal vocabulary for 'несбалансировать', while 'нарушить равновесие' may be slightly easier at B1)

Pronunciation (Russian):

несбалансировать: [nʲɪs.ba.lan.sʲi.rə.'vatʲ]

Note on несбалансировать: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('si'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the 'щ' sound as a soft, hissing 'sh'.

нарушить равновесие: [na.'ru.ʂʲitʲ ra.vɐ.'vʲe.sʲje]

Note on нарушить равновесие: The 'ш' in 'нарушить' is a soft 'sh' sound, and 'равновесие' has stress on the third syllable. This phrase is more fluid in spoken Russian.

Audio: Listen to 'несбалансировать' | Listen to 'нарушить равновесие'

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To make something unsteady, unequal, or disrupt equilibrium (e.g., in physics, emotions, or systems).

Translation(s) & Context:

• несбалансировать - Used in formal, technical, or scientific contexts, such as describing physical forces or economic instability.
• нарушить равновесие - More idiomatic and versatile, often in everyday or metaphorical contexts, like emotional states or social dynamics.

Usage Examples:

• Эта внешняя сила может несбалансировать всю систему, вызвав хаос.

  This external force can unbalance the entire system, causing chaos. (Context: Technical/scientific, showing verb in a sentence with direct object.)

• Его неожиданные слова нарушили равновесие в комнате, и все замолчали.

  His unexpected words unbalanced the room, and everyone fell silent. (Context: Metaphorical/emotional, demonstrating idiomatic use in interpersonal scenarios.)

• Если не сбалансировать бюджет, то несбалансированные расходы нарушат равновесие экономики.

  If the budget isn't balanced, unbalanced expenses will disrupt the economy's equilibrium. (Context: Financial/economic, illustrating both translations in a complex sentence.)

• Ветер легко может несбалансировать лодку, если не принять меры предосторожности.

  The wind can easily unbalance the boat if precautions aren't taken. (Context: Everyday practical scenario, showing verb with potential outcomes.)

• Стресс иногда нарушает равновесие в жизни, делая её менее предсказуемой.

  Stress sometimes unbalances life, making it less predictable. (Context: Psychological/personal, highlighting idiomatic expression in reflective language.)

Meaning 2: To cause emotional or mental instability (less common, more figurative).

Translation(s) & Context:

• нарушить равновесие - Preferred in emotional or psychological contexts, as it's more natural for figurative speech.

Usage Examples:

• Потеря работы нарушила равновесие в его мыслях, вызвав депрессию.

  Losing his job unbalanced his thoughts, causing depression. (Context: Emotional/psychological, focusing on mental impact.)

• Несбалансированный рацион питания может нарушить равновесие в организме.

  An unbalanced diet can unbalance the body. (Context: Health-related, blending physical and emotional meanings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Несбалансировать' is a regular first-conjugation verb in Russian, following standard patterns for verbs ending in -овать. It inflects based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Нарушить равновесие' is a phrase where 'нарушить' is also a regular verb, but 'равновесие' is a neuter noun that declines according to standard patterns.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms, making them relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расшатать (to shake or destabilize; often used for physical objects)
  • разрушить стабильность (to destroy stability; more formal and emphatic)
• Antonyms:
  • сбалансировать (to balance; direct opposite in technical contexts)
  • восстановить равновесие (to restore equilibrium; idiomatic for emotional recovery)

Related Phrases:

• потерять равновесие - To lose balance; often used metaphorically for emotional instability. (Explains a common extension of the concept.)
• несбалансированная система - An unbalanced system; refers to technical or organizational setups. (Highlights noun forms in context.)
• нарушить гармонию - To disrupt harmony; similar but with a focus on relationships or aesthetics. (Emphasizes interpersonal applications.)

Usage Notes:

'Несбалансировать' directly corresponds to the English 'unbalance' in formal or scientific settings, but it's less common in casual speech; opt for 'нарушить равновесие' for everyday or idiomatic use. Be mindful of context: Russian verbs often require perfective/imperfective aspects, so 'несбалансировать' is perfective (completed action). In sentences, ensure subject-verb agreement and proper case usage, as Russian grammar is highly inflected. When choosing between translations, use 'несбалансировать' for precise, technical descriptions and 'нарушить равновесие' for broader, metaphorical ones to sound more natural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'сбалансировать' instead of 'несбалансировать' due to confusion with the prefix. Correct: 'Несбалансировать систему' (To unbalance the system) vs. Incorrect: 'Сбалансировать систему' (To balance the system). Explanation: The prefix 'не-' negates the action, so always include it for 'unbalance'.

• Error: Forgetting to decline 'равновесие' in phrases, e.g., saying 'нарушить равновесие' in genitive contexts. Correct: 'Нарушить равновесие в комнате' (To unbalance the equilibrium in the room) vs. Incorrect: 'Нарушить равновесия'. Explanation: Nouns like 'равновесие' must change based on case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'равновесие' (equilibrium) often tie into philosophical or literary traditions, such as in works by Tolstoy, where emotional unbalance reflects internal conflict. This isn't unique to Russia but emphasizes the value placed on stability in Slavic thought, influenced by historical upheavals.

Related Concepts:

• стабильность
• гармония
• дисбаланс