Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unbind'

English Word: unbind

Key Russian Translations:

• развязать [rɐzvʲɪˈzatʲ] - [Informal, Used for physical or literal unbinding]
• освободить [ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Used in broader contexts like releasing from constraints]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly used in everyday language, especially in contexts involving physical actions or metaphors, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "to be" or "to go").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the basic conjugations, but mastering nuances and inflections may require practice. For "развязать," it's slightly easier; for "освободить," it aligns with B1 due to its formal tone.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

развязать: [rɐzvʲɪˈzatʲ]

Note on развязать: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'z' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

освободить: [ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ]

Note on освободить: Stress falls on the third syllable; the 'o' in the first syllable is reduced in fast speech, which is typical in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To release from physical bonds or restraints

Translation(s) & Context:

• развязать - Commonly used in everyday scenarios involving literal untying, such as ropes or knots, in informal speech or writing.

Usage Examples:

• Я развязал узел на пакете. (Ya razvyazal uzel na pakete.)

  I unbound the knot on the package. (This example shows the verb in a simple past tense for a physical action.)

• Дети развязали все ленты на подарках. (Deti razvyazali vse lenty na podarkakh.)

  The children unbound all the ribbons on the gifts. (Illustrates plural subject and object in a festive context.)

• Он быстро развязал верёвку, чтобы освободить птицу. (On bystro razvyazal verjovku, chtoby osvobodit' ptitsu.)

  He quickly unbound the rope to free the bird. (Demonstrates sequential actions in a narrative.)

• Развязать шнурки – это простая задача. (Razvyazat' shnurki – eto prostaya zadacha.)

  Unbinding shoelaces is a simple task. (Used in an infinitive form for general instructions.)

Meaning 2: To release from metaphorical or abstract constraints

Translation(s) & Context:

• освободить - Applied in formal or abstract contexts, such as liberating from obligations, often in literature or official language.

Usage Examples:

• Эта реформа освободит людей от бюрократических ограничений. (Eta reforma osvobodit' ljudej ot biurokraticheskikh ogranichenij.)

  This reform will unbind people from bureaucratic restrictions. (Shows future tense in a policy discussion.)

• Мы освободили его от обязательств по контракту. (My osvobodili ego ot obyazatel'stv po kontraktu.)

  We unbound him from the contract obligations. (Illustrates past tense in a legal context.)

• Освободить разум от страхов – это ключ к успеху. (Osvobodit' razum ot strahov – eto klyuch k uspekhu.)

  Unbinding the mind from fears is the key to success. (Used in an infinitive form for philosophical advice.)

• Она освободила себя от старых привычек. (Ona osvobodila sebya ot starikh privychik.)

  She unbound herself from old habits. (Demonstrates reflexive use in personal development contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "развязать" and "освободить" are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. Russian verbs are imperfective or perfective; these are perfective verbs, indicating a completed action.

For "развязать" (perfective):

For "освободить" (perfective):

These verbs are regular but note that past tense endings change based on gender (e.g., развязала for feminine). They do not change in imperative forms beyond standard conjugation rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отвязать [ɐtʲvʲɪˈzatʲ] - Similar to развязать but more specific to untying from something attached.
  • распутать [rɐspʊˈtatʲ] - For untangling, with a slight nuance of resolving complexity.
• Antonyms:
  • связать [svʲɪˈzatʲ] - To bind or tie.
  • ограничить [ɐgraniˈtʲitʲ] - To restrict or limit.

Related Phrases:

• Развязать руки [rɐzvʲɪˈzatʲ rʊˈkʲi] - Literally "to unbind hands," metaphorically meaning to give freedom or remove restrictions. (Used in contexts of empowerment or policy.)
• Освободить путь [ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ pʊtʲ] - To clear the way or unblock a path. (Common in navigation or problem-solving scenarios.)

Usage Notes:

"Unbind" corresponds closely to "развязать" for physical actions and "освободить" for abstract ones. Choose "развязать" in informal, everyday contexts to sound natural, while "освободить" is better for formal writing or discussions involving liberation. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: these are perfective verbs, so they imply completion. English speakers often err by not pairing with imperfective counterparts like "развязывать" for ongoing actions.

• Grammar note: Always conjugate based on subject gender in past tense.
• Context tip: In Russian culture, these words can carry idiomatic weight, so use them carefully in metaphorical speech.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "развязать" with "освободить" and use them interchangeably, but this can lead to awkward phrasing. For example:

• Error: Using "развязать" in a formal context like "развязать от долга" (incorrect for unbinding from debt; it sounds too literal).
• Correct: "освободить от долга" [Correct usage: Osvobodit' ot dolga] - Explanation: "Освободить" is more appropriate for abstract obligations, as it conveys release without implying physical action.
• Another error: Forgetting gender agreement in past tense, e.g., saying "развязала" for a male subject.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "развязать руки" often appear in historical or literary contexts, symbolizing freedom from oppression, as seen in Soviet-era narratives. This reflects Russia's emphasis on themes of liberation in its history, helping users understand the emotional depth beyond literal translation.

Related Concepts:

• свобода [svɐˈbodə] - Freedom
• ограничение [ɐgraniˈtʲenʲije] - Restriction
• узел [ˈuzʲel] - Knot (often paired with unbinding actions)