Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unison'

English Word: unison

Key Russian Translations:

• унисон /uˈnison/ - [Formal, Music-related; used in contexts of simultaneous sounds or harmony]
• в унисон /v uˈnison/ - [Informal, Figurative; used to describe acting in harmony or agreement]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in specialized contexts like music; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with musical terminology or basic Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

унисон: /uˈnison/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as in "oo" in "boot")

в унисон: /v uˈnison/ (Similar to above, with 'в' as in "v" in "victory"; note the preposition 'в' softens the flow)

Note on унисон: This word is a borrowing from English/French, so pronunciation is relatively straightforward for English speakers, but be mindful of the Russian stress pattern to avoid sounding unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Music-related meaning: Simultaneous sounding of notes or voices at the same pitch

Translation(s) & Context:

• унисон - Used in formal musical contexts, such as describing orchestra performances or singing.
• в унисон - Used figuratively for harmony in group activities, like choral singing.

Usage Examples:

• В оркестре инструменты играют в унисон, создавая мощный звук.

  In the orchestra, the instruments play in unison, creating a powerful sound.

• Певцы запели в унисон, чтобы подчеркнуть эмоциональный пик песни.

  The singers began singing in unison to emphasize the emotional peak of the song.

• Во время марша солдаты шагали в унисон, демонстрируя дисциплину.

  During the march, the soldiers stepped in unison, demonstrating discipline.

• Группа протестующих скандировала лозунги в унисон, выражая единство.

  The group of protesters chanted slogans in unison, expressing unity.

• В этой пьесе скрипки и виолончели звучат в унисон на протяжении всего пассажа.

  In this piece, the violins and cellos sound in unison throughout the passage.

Figurative meaning: Harmony or agreement in action or thought

Translation(s) & Context:

• в унисон - Used in everyday or informal contexts to describe synchronized actions or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Друзья выразили свои мнения в унисон, поддерживая друг друга.

  The friends expressed their opinions in unison, supporting each other.

• Команда работала в унисон, чтобы завершить проект вовремя.

  The team worked in unison to complete the project on time.

• В дискуссии все участники заговорили в унисон, соглашаясь с предложением.

  In the discussion, all participants spoke in unison, agreeing with the proposal.

• Семья праздновала Новый год в унисон, повторяя традиции предков.

  The family celebrated New Year's in unison, following ancestral traditions.

• Политики выступили в унисон против реформы, объединившись для протеста.

  The politicians spoke out in unison against the reform, uniting for protest.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"унисон" is a masculine noun (from French origin) and follows the standard third declension pattern for Russian nouns. It is indeclinable in most cases due to its foreign status, meaning it does not change form in different cases. However, when used with prepositions or in compounds, it remains stable.

For "в унисон", the phrase is invariable as a whole, with "в" being a preposition.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гармония (harmony; more general, often used for musical or emotional accord)
  • синхронность (synchrony; emphasizes timing and coordination)
• Antonyms:
  • диссонанс (dissonance; opposite in musical contexts)
  • несогласие (disagreement; for figurative uses)

Related Phrases:

• Играть в унисон - To play in unison; used in music to describe simultaneous performance.
• Двигаться в унисон - To move in unison; refers to synchronized physical actions, like in dance or military drills.
• Говорить в унисон - To speak in unison; implies agreement in speech or opinion, common in debates.

Usage Notes:

"Унисон" directly corresponds to the English "unison" in musical contexts but is less common in everyday Russian speech. For general harmony, "в унисон" is preferred in figurative senses. Be cautious with formality: use it in professional or artistic settings, as it's not idiomatic in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "унисон" for literal music terms and "в унисон" for metaphors. Grammatically, it functions as a noun and can be modified by adjectives, e.g., "идеальный унисон" (perfect unison).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "унисон" without proper context, e.g., saying "Мы в унисон" instead of "Мы действуем в унисон" (We act in unison).
  Correct: Ensure it's paired with verbs like "играть" or "говорить" for clarity.
  Explanation: This can make the sentence incomplete; Russian requires more explicit structure for actions.
• Mistake: Mispronouncing as /uˈni-zon/ instead of /uˈnison/.
  Correct: Stress the second syllable and use a soft "s" sound.
  Explanation: English speakers often carry over their pronunciation, leading to confusion in listening comprehension.
• Mistake: Confusing with "унификация" (unification).
  Correct: Use "унисон" only for harmony, not broader concepts.
  Explanation: These are related but distinct; mixing them can alter the intended meaning in discussions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "унисон" is often associated with collective activities like choral singing or Soviet-era performances, symbolizing unity and discipline. It reflects historical emphasis on group harmony in art and propaganda, making it a subtle nod to communal values in modern contexts.

Related Concepts:

• гармония
• ритм
• синхронизация