Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vibrate'

English Word: vibrate

Key Russian Translations:

• вибрировать [vʲibrʲiravatʲ] - [Formal, Technical]
• трясти [trʲastʲi] - [Informal, Everyday]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, scientific, or modern contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and borrowed words from English.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вибрировать: [vʲibrʲiravatʲ]

трясти: [trʲastʲi]

Note on вибрировать: The stress is on the second syllable (виб-ри-ро-вать). Pay attention to the soft 'р' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of moving back and forth rapidly, often in a rhythmic or mechanical manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вибрировать - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing machines, phones, or scientific phenomena.
• трясти - Used in informal contexts for shaking or vibrating objects, like in daily life or casual descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Мой телефон вибрирует на столе во время звонка.

  My phone is vibrating on the table during the call.

• Двигатель машины начинает вибрировать при высокой скорости.

  The car's engine starts vibrating at high speed.

• Врачи используют устройства, которые вибрируют для массажа мышц.

  Doctors use devices that vibrate to massage muscles.

• Иногда ветер трясет листья деревьев, как будто они вибрируют.

  Sometimes the wind shakes the tree leaves as if they are vibrating.

• В лабораторных экспериментах вещества вибрируют под воздействием звука.

  In laboratory experiments, substances vibrate under the influence of sound.

Another meaning: To cause something to shake or tremble emotionally (less common, metaphorical use).

Translation(s) & Context:

• вибрировать - In metaphorical contexts, such as emotions or abstract concepts, though rare.
• трясти - More common for emotional shaking, e.g., in idiomatic expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Его голос вибрировал от волнения во время речи.

  His voice vibrated with excitement during the speech.

• Страх может трясти человека, заставляя его вибрировать внутри.

  Fear can shake a person, making them vibrate inside.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs. "Вибрировать" is a first-conjugation verb (borrowed from English/French), while "трясти" is irregular and follows standard Russian verb patterns. Below are the key inflections:

Note: "Вибрировать" is regular and doesn't have many irregularities, making it easier for learners. "Трясти" has more variations based on aspect (imperfective).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • качать (kachatʲ) - To swing or oscillate; often used for broader movements.
  • дрожать (drozhátʲ) - To tremble; implies a finer, involuntary vibration.
• Antonyms:
  • замереть (zamerétʲ) - To freeze or stop moving entirely.
  • успокоиться (uspokóitʲsya) - To calm down or become still.

Related Phrases:

• вибрировать на высокой частоте - Vibrating at a high frequency; used in technical or scientific contexts to describe rapid oscillations.
• трясти как в лихорадке - Shaking like in a fever; an idiomatic phrase for intense trembling due to illness or excitement.
• вызывать вибрацию - To cause vibration; often in engineering or everyday scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Вибрировать" directly corresponds to the English "vibrate" and is preferred in formal or technical settings, such as describing phone notifications or machinery. In contrast, "трясти" is more versatile for informal use and can imply a stronger, less controlled motion. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs: "вибрировать" is imperfective, focusing on ongoing action, while related perfective forms like "вибрировать" might pair with prefixes for completion. Choose based on context—use "вибрировать" for precise, scientific descriptions and "трясти" for everyday shaking. Grammar note: These verbs require agreement with subject in person and number.

Common Errors:

• Mistaking the conjugation: English learners often say "вибрирует" incorrectly as "вибрируйт" for plural subjects. Correct: Use "вибрируют" for plural (They vibrate). Error example: "Они вибрируйт" (wrong) vs. "Они вибрируют" (correct) – The ending must match the subject.
• Overusing in informal contexts: Beginners might use "вибрировать" everywhere, but it's too formal for casual talk. Instead, opt for "трясти" in daily conversations. Error example: Saying "Мой стакан вибрирует" when "Мой стакан трясет" might be more natural for a simple shake.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "вибрировать" are often associated with modern technology and urban life, reflecting Russia's advancements in engineering and science. However, "трясти" can evoke traditional or folkloric imagery, such as shaking in cold weather or emotional states, which ties into Russia's literary heritage (e.g., in works by Tolstoy, where trembling symbolizes inner turmoil).

Related Concepts:

• вибрация
• тремор
• дрожь