Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'undermine'

English Word: undermine

Key Russian Translations:

• подрывать (/pɐd.rɨ'vatʲ/) - [Formal, Verb, Used in contexts involving gradual weakening or erosion]
• ослаблять (/ɐs.lɐ'blʲatʲ/) - [Informal, Verb, Used when emphasizing general weakening, less specific to foundations]
• саботировать (/sɐ.bɐ.tɨ'ravatʲ/) - [Formal, Verb, Used in deliberate or subversive contexts, e.g., in politics or strategy]

Frequency: Medium (The verb forms are commonly used in written and spoken Russian, especially in news, literature, and discussions, but not as everyday as basic verbs like 'делать').

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances. For 'подрывать' and 'саботировать', it's B2 due to more advanced vocabulary; 'ослаблять' is B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

подрывать: /pɐd.rɨ'vatʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a short 'i'.)

Note on подрывать: Be cautious with the soft 'тʲ' ending, which softens the preceding consonant; common in verbs. Variations in fast speech may reduce the 'р' sound.

ослаблять: /ɐs.lɐ'blʲatʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'лʲ' is palatalized, making it sound softer.)

саботировать: /sɐ.bɐ.tɨ'ravatʲ/ (Stress on the fourth syllable; borrowed from French, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward but watch for the rolled 'р'.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To weaken or damage something gradually, especially its foundation or base.

Translation(s) & Context:

• подрывать - Used in formal contexts like politics or engineering, where gradual erosion is implied (e.g., undermining trust or structures).
• ослаблять - Applied in everyday or informal settings for general weakening, but less emphasis on subversion.

Usage Examples:

• Эта пропаганда подрывает доверие к правительству. (This propaganda is undermining trust in the government.)

  Translation: This propaganda is undermining trust in the government. (Shows verb in a political context with direct object.)

• Постоянные задержки ослабляют нашу команду. (Constant delays are weakening our team.)

  Translation: Constant delays are weakening our team. (Illustrates informal use in a business or team setting.)

• Вода подрывает основание моста со временем. (Water is undermining the foundation of the bridge over time.)

  Translation: Water is undermining the foundation of the bridge over time. (Demonstrates literal, physical context.)

• Экономические санкции ослабляют страну изнутри. (Economic sanctions are weakening the country from within.)

  Translation: Economic sanctions are weakening the country from within. (Highlights gradual impact in global affairs.)

Meaning 2: To erode confidence, authority, or support deliberately.

Translation(s) & Context:

• саботировать - Best for intentional acts of subversion, such as in espionage or internal conflicts.
• подрывать - Used when the action is more subtle and long-term, like in psychological or social contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он саботирует проект, чтобы подорвать лидерство начальника. (He is sabotaging the project to undermine the boss's leadership.)

  Translation: He is sabotaging the project to undermine the boss's leadership. (Combines translations to show related usage.)

• Ложные новости подрывают общественное мнение. (Fake news is undermining public opinion.)

  Translation: Fake news is undermining public opinion. (Example in media and social contexts.)

• Сотрудник саботировал встречу, чтобы ослабить переговоры. (The employee sabotaged the meeting to weaken the negotiations.)

  Translation: The employee sabotaged the meeting to weaken the negotiations. (Shows interplay with other meanings.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Подрывать' and 'ослаблять' are imperfective verbs, while 'саботировать' is often used in perfective forms. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns but have irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These verbs do not change in the infinitive form and are invariable in some compound tenses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: разрушать (to destroy), эродировать (to erode), подтачивать (to whittle away; subtle difference: more gradual than 'подрывать')
• Antonyms: укреплять (to strengthen), поддерживать (to support; used in contexts of building up rather than breaking down)

Related Phrases:

• Подрывать авторитет (To undermine authority) - A common phrase in discussions of leadership or social status.
• Ослаблять позиции (To weaken positions) - Often used in military or strategic contexts to indicate eroding advantages.
• Саботировать планы (To sabotage plans) - Refers to deliberate disruption, especially in organizational or personal schemes.

Usage Notes:

'Подрывать' is the most direct equivalent to 'undermine' in Russian, capturing both literal and figurative senses, but it's more formal and often implies a strategic element. Choose 'ослаблять' for everyday weakening without subversion. 'Саботировать' is ideal for intentional acts but carries a negative connotation. In grammar, these verbs require accusative objects and can be used in perfective-imperfective pairs (e.g., 'подорвать' as perfective). Limit to formal writing or speech to avoid overuse in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'подрывать' with 'подрывать' in the wrong tense, e.g., using present tense incorrectly as 'подрывать' instead of 'подрываю'. Correct: Always conjugate based on subject (e.g., 'я подрываю'). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number, unlike English.
• Error: Overusing 'саботировать' for general weakening, e.g., saying 'саботировать здоровье' when 'ослаблять' is more appropriate. Correct: Use 'саботировать' only for deliberate actions. Explanation: This word implies intent, so it doesn't fit passive or natural processes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'подрывать' often appear in historical or political contexts, such as during the Soviet era, where undermining authority was a theme in literature and propaganda. It reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience against external threats, as seen in works by authors like Solzhenitsyn.

Related Concepts:

• саботаж
• эрозия
• укрепление