Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'weigh'

English Word: weigh

Key Russian Translations:

• взвешивать [vzɪˈvʲeʂɨvətʲ] - [Formal, often used in precise or professional contexts]
• весить [ˈvʲesʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, everyday usage]

Frequency: Medium - Commonly encountered in daily life, scientific discussions, and commerce, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to be" or "to go".

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp basic conjugations, but the verb's imperfective aspect and contextual nuances may require practice. For 'взвешивать', it might be slightly more challenging due to its formal tone, while 'весить' is closer to A2 for simple uses.

Pronunciation (Russian):

взвешивать: [vzɪˈvʲeʂɨvətʲ]

Note on взвешивать: This verb has stress on the second syllable ('взве-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the Russian 'ш' sound (like 'sh' in "shoe"). Pay attention to the soft 'в' at the beginning.

весить: [ˈvʲesʲɪtʲ]

Note on весить: Stress is on the first syllable; the 'е' is pronounced like 'ye' in "yes", and the ending '-ить' softens in speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To determine the weight of an object (e.g., using scales)

Translation(s) & Context:

• взвешивать - Used in formal or technical settings, such as in laboratories, stores, or medical environments, where precision is key.

Usage Examples:

• Я взвешиваю багаж перед поездкой, чтобы убедиться, что он не превышает лимит.

  I am weighing the luggage before the trip to make sure it doesn't exceed the limit.

• Врачи взвешивают пациентов на каждом приеме для мониторинга здоровья.

  Doctors weigh patients at every appointment to monitor their health.

• В лаборатории мы взвешиваем образцы с помощью электронных весов.

  In the laboratory, we weigh samples using electronic scales.

• Продавец взвешивает овощи и фрукты на рынке, чтобы точно рассчитать цену.

  The seller weighs vegetables and fruits at the market to calculate the price accurately.

Meaning 2: To have a certain weight or to be heavy (intransitive sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• весить - Informal and everyday contexts, such as describing personal weight or object heaviness.

Usage Examples:

• Эта коробка весит больше 10 килограммов, так что мне нужна помощь.

  This box weighs more than 10 kilograms, so I need help.

• Мой рюкзак весит слишком много для длительной прогулки.

  My backpack weighs too much for a long walk.

• Ребенок весит 5 килограммов на момент рождения.

  The child weighs 5 kilograms at birth.

• Эта сумка весит меньше, чем ожидалось, так что я могу взять ее в самолет.

  This bag weighs less than expected, so I can take it on the plane.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'взвешивать' and 'весить' are imperfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. 'Взвешивать' is more formal and often used in perfective-imperfective pairs (e.g., with 'взвесить' as its perfective counterpart). 'Весить' has straightforward conjugations but no perfective pair in common usage.

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the present tense but do in the past. They are invariant in aspect for basic uses.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • измерить вес (to measure weight) - More precise, often used interchangeably with взвешивать in scientific contexts.
  • взвешивать (for взвешивать itself, but can pair with other terms like определять вес for variety).
• Antonyms:
  • освобождать от веса (to lighten) - Implies reducing weight.
  • не весить (to not weigh, though not a direct antonym, it's conceptual).

Related Phrases:

• взвешивать на весах - Weigh on scales; used in contexts like checking produce weight. (Context: Common in shopping or health checks.)
• весить слишком много - To weigh too much; often in dieting or fitness discussions. (Context: Relates to personal health.)
• взвешивать решение - To weigh a decision (metaphorical use, meaning to consider carefully). (Context: Extended metaphor from physical weighing.)

Usage Notes:

Russian translations of 'weigh' like 'взвешивать' and 'весить' correspond closely to the English verb but emphasize aspect: 'взвешивать' is imperfective and ongoing, while its perfective form 'взвесить' implies completion. Use 'взвешивать' in formal scenarios (e.g., professional or scientific) and 'весить' for casual descriptions. Be mindful of context; in Russian, weight discussions often involve the metric system, so pair with units like 'килограммы'. When choosing between translations, opt for 'весить' in everyday speech to sound more natural.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'взвешивать' with 'весить' and using 'взвешивать' in informal settings. Incorrect: "Я взвешиваю яблоко дома." (Too formal for home use.) Correct: "Я весю яблоко дома." (More natural.) Explanation: 'Взвешивать' implies a precise, often professional action, while 'весить' is for general weighing.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugations, e.g., saying "он взвешивать" instead of "он взвешивает". Incorrect: "Он взвешивать пакет." Correct: "Он взвешивает пакет." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number, unlike English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, weighing is often tied to practical daily life, such as in markets or health routines, reflecting a historical emphasis on agriculture and physical labor. For instance, traditional Russian markets (rynki) involve verbal interactions around weighing produce, symbolizing community and barter traditions. Metaphorically, phrases like 'взвешивать решение' highlight Russia's literary heritage, where careful consideration is valued, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• вес (weight)
• масса (mass)
• измерять (to measure)
• баланс (balance)