Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'untie'

English Word: untie

Key Russian Translations:

• развязать [IPA: rɐzvʲɪˈzatʲ] - [Informal, commonly used for undoing knots or ties]
• распутать [IPA: rɐspʊˈtatʲ] - [Informal, specifically for untangling or unraveling something complex]
• освободить [IPA: ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts involving liberation from restraints]

Frequency: Medium (This verb and its variants are encountered in everyday conversations and literature, but not as frequently as basic verbs like "to go" or "to eat".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and aspectual pairs in Russian. For "развязать", it's straightforward; for "освободить", it may vary slightly in nuance.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

развязать: rɐzvʲɪˈzatʲ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'z' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

распутать: rɐspʊˈtatʲ (Emphasize the 'u' as in "put"; the initial 'r' is rolled.)

освободить: ɐsvɐˈbodʲɪtʲ (The 'o' sounds like the 'a' in "about"; palatalization in 'dʲ' is key.)

Note on развязать: This word has a perfective aspect, so pronunciation may shift slightly in conjugated forms. Pay attention to the soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To undo a knot, tie, or something fastened

Translation(s) & Context:

• развязать - Used in everyday scenarios, such as untying shoelaces or packages; informal contexts like casual conversations.
• распутать - Applied when dealing with tangled items, like cords or hair; often in problem-solving contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я быстро развязал узел на сумке. (Ya bystro razvyazal uzel na sumke.)

  I quickly untied the knot on the bag. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context, perfective aspect.)

• Ему пришлось распутать провода, чтобы подключить компьютер. (Yemu prishlos' rasputat' provoda, chtoby podkluchit' komp'yuter.)

  He had to untangle the wires to connect the computer. (Illustrates usage in a technical or everyday problem-solving scenario.)

• Дети развязали шнурки на своих ботинках. (Deti razvyazali shnurki na svoikh botinkakh.)

  The children untied the laces on their boots. (Demonstrates plural subject and common action in a familial setting.)

• Она распутала запутанный клубок шерсти. (Ona rasputala zaputannyy klubok shersti.)

  She untangled the knotted ball of yarn. (Shows the verb with an object in a creative or domestic context.)

• Мужчина развязал верёвку, фиксирующую груз. (Muzhchina razvyazal veriovku, fiksiruyushchuyu gruz.)

  The man untied the rope securing the load. (Highlights usage in a practical, outdoor scenario.)

To free or release from restraint

Translation(s) & Context:

• освободить - More formal, used in emotional or literal liberation contexts, such as freeing an animal or person.

Usage Examples:

• Врач освободил пациента от пут. (Vrach osvobodil patsienta ot put.)

  The doctor freed the patient from restraints. (This shows a medical or emergency context with perfective aspect.)

• Она освободила птицу из клетки. (Ona osvobodila ptitsu iz kletki.)

  She released the bird from the cage. (Illustrates a compassionate action in a simple sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "развязать" (a perfective verb), it follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns. It is irregular in some aspects due to its perfective form. Below is a conjugation table for the present tense (though perfective verbs like this are often used in past or future forms):

For "распутать" (another perfective verb), similar conjugation applies, e.g., 1st person singular: распутаю (rasputayu). "Освободить" is more regular and doesn't have significant irregularities.

If the word is used as an infinitive or in imperative, it remains unchanged: развязать (infinitive), развяжи! (imperative singular).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • расплести (rasplesti) - More specific to braids or woven items; differs by implying a weaving action.
  • отвязать (otvyazat') - Used for detaching something tied, often to a fixed point.
• Antonyms:
  • завязать (zavyazat') - To tie or knot something.
  • связать (svyazat') - To bind or connect.

Related Phrases:

• Развязать узел - To untie a knot (Common in literal or metaphorical contexts, like solving problems).
• Распутать ситуацию - To untangle a situation (Refers to resolving complications; English equivalent: "to sort out a mess").
• Освободить от оков - To free from shackles (Used in historical or dramatic contexts; implies liberation from oppression).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "развязать" directly corresponds to "untie" in physical contexts but often pairs with perfective aspects to indicate completion. Choose "распутать" for more complex entanglements and "освободить" for formal or emotional releases. Be mindful of aspect: use perfective for completed actions. In informal speech, these verbs are versatile but avoid them in highly formal writing where more precise synonyms might be preferred.

• Grammar note: These are all transitive verbs, requiring an object (e.g., "развязать узел").
• Context guide: "Untie" in phone etiquette doesn't directly translate; use "алло" instead.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse the perfective and imperfective aspects. For example, they might incorrectly use "развязывать" (imperfective, ongoing action) when "развязать" (perfective, completed) is needed: Wrong: "Я развязываю узел каждый день" (implying continuous action, but if it's a one-time event, say "Я развязал узел"). Correct: "Я развязал узел" for a finished action. Another error is overusing "освободить" in casual contexts; it's more formal, so in everyday talk, opt for "развязать".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "развязать узел" can metaphorically refer to resolving personal or historical conflicts, such as in literature (e.g., in Tolstoy's works, where untying emotional knots symbolizes freedom). This reflects Russia's emphasis on endurance and liberation in its history, like during revolutionary periods.

Related Concepts:

• связать (svyazat') - To tie or bind.
• узел (uzel) - Knot.
• освобождение (osvobozhdenie) - Liberation or release.