Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'undulate'

English Word: undulate

Key Russian Translations:

• волновать [vɐlˈnovətʲ] - [Formal; used for wave-like motion in descriptive or scientific contexts]
• извиваться [ɪzʲˈvʲivətsə] - [Informal; often for twisting or serpentine undulation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature, scientific descriptions, and everyday language about natural phenomena)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances, with 'волновать' being slightly easier than 'извиваться' due to its regularity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

волновать: [vɐlˈnovətʲ]

Note on волновать: The stress falls on the second syllable ('no'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to Russian's fixed stress patterns. This verb often softens in informal speech.

Audio: []

извиваться: [ɪzʲˈvʲivətsə]

Note on извиваться: The initial 'и' is palatalized, making it sound like 'eez', and the verb has reflexive forms that alter pronunciation slightly in context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: To move in a smooth, wave-like or wavy motion, often describing natural or fluid movements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• волновать - Used in formal contexts like scientific writing or poetry to describe rhythmic, wave-like actions; e.g., for flags, water, or landscapes.
• извиваться - Applied in informal or vivid descriptions, such as for snakes, rivers, or abstract concepts, emphasizing twisting undulation.

Usage Examples:

• Флаг волнуется на ветру, создавая красивый узор в небе.

  The flag undulates in the wind, creating a beautiful pattern in the sky.

• Волны извиваются у берега, отражая лунный свет.

  The waves undulate along the shore, reflecting the moonlight.

• Дорога волнуется через холмы, делая поездку захватывающей.

  The road undulates through the hills, making the drive exhilarating.

• Змея извивается по земле, ища укрытие.

  The snake undulates across the ground, seeking shelter.

• Ветви деревьев волнуются под порывами ветра во время бури.

  The tree branches undulate under the gusts of wind during the storm.

Secondary meaning: To have a wavy or curved form (more static description).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волновать - In adjectival senses, implying ongoing motion; e.g., in artistic or geographical descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Поля волнуются зелеными волнами, как океан.

  The fields undulate with green waves, like an ocean.

• Ее волосы извиваются в прическе, добавляя шарма.

  Her hair undulates in the hairstyle, adding charm.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'волновать' and 'извиваться' are verbs, with 'волновать' being transitive and 'извиваться' reflexive. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, mood, person, and number. 'Волновать' follows the first conjugation pattern (regular), while 'извиваться' is reflexive and follows similar rules with the addition of '-ся'.

Note: These verbs have imperfective aspects; perfective forms like 'взволновать' or 'изогнуть' may be used for completed actions, but they don't directly align with 'undulate'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: колебаться (kolebatsya; to oscillate, with a back-and-forth motion), качаться (kachatsya; to sway gently)
• Antonyms: замирать (zamarivat; to freeze or stop moving), останавливаться (ostanavlivat'sya; to halt abruptly; note: these imply cessation rather than opposition)

Related Phrases:

• Волноваться по ветру - A phrase meaning "to undulate in the wind"; used poetically for flags or leaves, implying dynamic movement.
• Извиваться как змея - Meaning "to undulate like a snake"; common in descriptions of fluid or evasive motions in literature or everyday talk.

Usage Notes:

'Undulate' corresponds closely to 'волновать' in formal English-Russian translation, especially for natural phenomena, but 'извиваться' is preferred for more organic or twisting motions. Be mindful of context: 'волновать' can also mean "to worry" in other uses, so specify wave-like action to avoid confusion. In Russian, these verbs are aspectually imperfective, making them suitable for ongoing actions. Choose based on formality—'волновать' for written or professional contexts, 'извиваться' for casual speech.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'волновать' with 'волноваться', which means "to worry" emotionally. Incorrect: "Я волнуюсь в ветре" (meaning "I worry in the wind"). Correct: "Флаг волнуется в ветре" (The flag undulates in the wind). Explanation: English learners often mix up transitive and reflexive forms, leading to emotional connotations where none are intended.

• Error: Omitting reflexive particle in 'извиваться'. Incorrect: "Змея извивает" (grammatically incomplete). Correct: "Змея извивается". Explanation: As a reflexive verb, it requires '-ся' to indicate the subject acts on itself.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Pushkin or Tolstoy, verbs like 'волновать' are often used to evoke the vastness of nature, symbolizing the dynamic and unpredictable aspects of Russian landscapes. This reflects a cultural appreciation for the fluidity and rhythm of life, contrasting with more static Western depictions.

Related Concepts:

• Колебание (kolebanie; oscillation)
• Качение (kacheniye; swaying)
• Волна (volna; wave)