Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unscrew'

English Word: unscrew

Key Russian Translations:

• открутить [ɐtkrʊˈtʲitʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday mechanical or DIY contexts]
• развинтить [rɐzvʲɪnˈtʲitʲ] - [Formal, preferred in technical or precise descriptions, such as engineering]

Frequency: Medium - This verb is encountered in practical, hands-on situations but not in everyday casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding verb conjugations and context; for 'открутить', it's B1, while 'развинтить' may lean towards B2 due to its technical nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

открутить: [ɐtkrʊˈtʲitʲ]

развинтить: [rɐzvʲɪnˈtʲitʲ]

Note on открутить: The stress falls on the third syllable ('tʲitʲ'), which can be tricky for learners due to the palatalized 't' sound; be careful with the initial 'o' which softens to [ɐ] in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To loosen or remove something, such as a screw, by turning it.

Translation(s) & Context:

• открутить - Used in informal, everyday scenarios, like home repairs or simple mechanical tasks.
• развинтить - Applied in more formal or technical contexts, such as machinery assembly or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Я открутил винт, чтобы открыть крышку.

  I unscrewed the screw to open the lid.

• Не забудь развинтить все болты перед разборкой.

  Don't forget to unscrew all the bolts before disassembling.

• Она быстро открутила лампочку в ванной.

  She quickly unscrewed the lightbulb in the bathroom.

• Механик развинтил двигатель для ремонта.

  The mechanic unscrewed the engine for repair.

• Дети помогли открутить колеса велосипеда.

  The kids helped unscrew the wheels of the bicycle.

Meaning 2: Figuratively, to undo or unravel something complex (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• открутить - In metaphorical use, such as in problem-solving, but rare and informal.

Usage Examples:

• Мне пришлось открутить эту проблему шаг за шагом.

  I had to unscrew this problem step by step.

• Он открутил запутанную историю в разговоре.

  He unscrewed the tangled story in the conversation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'открутить' and 'развинтить' are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns for imperfective aspects. They are imperfective verbs, often paired with perfective counterparts like 'открутить' (imperfective) and 'открутить' can imply completion in context. Below is a table for 'открутить' in present tense; 'развинтить' follows similar rules.

Note: For past tense, 'открутить' becomes 'открутил' (masc.), 'открутила' (fem.), etc. It does not change in infinitive form and is regular, making it straightforward for learners.

For 'развинтить': Similar table applies, e.g., 1st person singular: развинчиваю.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отвернуть - Similar but more general for turning off.
  • распустить - In a looser, metaphorical sense.
• Antonyms:
  • завинтить - Means to screw in or tighten.

Related Phrases:

• открутить крышку - Unscrew the cap (e.g., on a bottle; used in daily life for opening containers).
• развинтить механизм - Unscrew the mechanism (common in technical repairs, implying disassembly).
• открутить болт - Unscrew the bolt (a standard phrase in hardware or automotive contexts).

Usage Notes:

'Открутить' is the most direct and idiomatic translation for 'unscrew' in casual English-Russian contexts, while 'развинтить' is better for formal or technical scenarios. Be mindful of the verb's aspect: Russian verbs often require perfective/imperfective pairs, so pair 'открутить' with 'открутить' for completed actions. In spoken Russian, it's common in imperative forms like 'открути!' (unscrew it!), which is direct and informal. Choose based on context to avoid sounding overly technical.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'открутить' in formal writing where 'развинтить' is more appropriate. For example, learners might say 'Я открутил машину' instead of 'Я развинтил механизм машины' in a technical report. Correct: Use 'развинтить' for precision. Explanation: 'Открутить' can sound too casual or vague in professional settings.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying 'открутил' for feminine subjects without changing to 'открутила'. Correct: 'Она открутила винт'. Explanation: Russian verbs agree in gender, number, and case in past tense, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like 'открутить' are often associated with the DIY ethos prevalent in everyday life, especially in rural or suburban settings where people frequently repair items themselves due to historical resourcefulness from Soviet times. This reflects a broader cultural value of practicality and self-reliance.

Related Concepts:

• винт (screw)
• болт (bolt)
• разобрать (disassemble)