Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'unveil'

English Word: unveil

Key Russian Translations:

• раскрывать [rɐˈskrɨvətʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts of revealing or disclosing information]
• представить [prʲɪdstəˈvʲitʲ] - [Formal, Informal; often used when introducing or launching something new]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in news, business, and formal writing, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage, as per CEFR standards)

Pronunciation (Russian):

раскрывать: [rɐˈskrɨvətʲ] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the rolled 'р' and palatalized consonants.)

представить: [prʲɪdstəˈvʲitʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the soft 'т' and the vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.)

Note on раскрывать: This verb has variations in pronunciation based on regional accents, such as in Moscow vs. St. Petersburg dialects, where the 'ы' sound may be more pronounced.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To reveal or make something known that was previously hidden (e.g., in a ceremonial or formal context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскрывать - Used in formal settings like events or announcements, emphasizing the act of disclosure.
• представить - Applied in contexts of introduction or unveiling products, often in business or media.

Usage Examples:

• Компания раскроет новый смартфон на выставке. (The company will unveil a new smartphone at the exhibition.)

  English: The company will unveil a new smartphone at the exhibition.

• Художник раскроет свою картину на церемонии открытия. (The artist will unveil his painting at the opening ceremony.)

  English: The artist will unveil his painting at the opening ceremony.

• Правительство решило представить реформы в прямом эфире. (The government decided to unveil the reforms live on air.)

  English: The government decided to unveil the reforms live on air.

• Во время пресс-конференции ученые раскроют результаты исследования. (During the press conference, scientists will unveil the research results.)

  English: During the press conference, scientists will unveil the research results.

Meaning 2: To remove a cover or veil from something, metaphorically or literally

Translation(s) & Context:

• раскрывать - In literal or metaphorical senses, such as revealing secrets or uncovering objects.

Usage Examples:

• Она раскроет тайну в конце истории. (She will unveil the secret at the end of the story.)

  English: She will unveil the secret at the end of the story.

• Музей раскроет древний артефакт для посетителей. (The museum will unveil an ancient artifact for visitors.)

  English: The museum will unveil an ancient artifact for visitors.

• Репортер раскроет коррупционный скандал в своей статье. (The reporter will unveil the corruption scandal in his article.)

  English: The reporter will unveil the corruption scandal in his article.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow standard Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Раскрывать" is an imperfective verb, while "представить" can be perfective in some contexts. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender.

Note: These verbs are regular in most aspects, but "раскрывать" may have irregularities in perfective forms like "раскрыть". If the verb is used in compounds, inflections adjust accordingly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • открывать (otkryvat') - More literal, meaning to open or expose.
  • обнаруживать (obnaruzhivat') - Emphasizes discovery, with subtle differences in formality.
• Antonyms:
  • скрывать (skryvat') - Used for hiding or concealing.
  • замалчивать (zamalchivat') - Specifically for suppressing information in media or official contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Раскрыть карты (raskryt' karty) - Meaning: To reveal one's plans or intentions (like "to show one's cards" in English).
• Представить публике (predstavit' publike) - Meaning: To unveil to the public, often in artistic or performance contexts.
• Раскрыть тайну (raskryt' taynu) - Meaning: To unveil a secret, commonly in storytelling or investigations.

Usage Notes:

"Unveil" corresponds closely to "раскрывать" in formal or ceremonial contexts, but "представить" is preferred for introductions or launches. Be mindful of the aspect: use imperfective forms like "раскрывать" for ongoing actions and perfective like "раскрыть" for completed ones. In Russian, these verbs often require specific prepositions (e.g., "раскрыть перед" for "unveil before"). Choose based on context—e.g., business settings favor "представить" for a polished tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "раскрывать" interchangeably with "открывать" without considering nuance. Correct: "Открывать" is for physical opening, while "раскрывать" is for revealing ideas. Example of error: *Я открываю секрет* (incorrect for unveiling a secret); Correct: Я раскрываю секрет.

• Error: Neglecting verb aspect, e.g., using perfective "раскрыть" for ongoing processes. Correct: For habitual actions, use imperfective "раскрывать". Example of error: *Я раскрою каждый день* (implies a single event); Correct: Я раскрываю каждый день.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, unveiling (e.g., "раскрывать") often carries historical connotations, such as in art exhibitions or political revelations during the Soviet era. For instance, unveiling monuments or secrets can symbolize transparency in post-Soviet reforms, reflecting a cultural emphasis on truth and disclosure in public life.

Related Concepts:

• открытие (otkrytie) - Discovery or opening.
• секрет (sekret) - Secret.
• презентация (prezentatsiya) - Presentation.