Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wield'

English Word: wield

Key Russian Translations:

• владеть [vlɐˈdʲetʲ] - [Formal, used for exercising control or skill]
• размахивать [rɐzmɐˈxivatʲ] - [Informal, specifically for swinging or handling an object like a weapon]
• использовать [ɪspɐˈlʲzəvɐtʲ] - [Neutral, broader context for utilizing tools or power]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and formal contexts, less so in everyday spoken Russian)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations, but basic forms are accessible to learners at this level. For 'размахивать', it may be B2 due to its action-oriented usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

владеть: [vlɐˈdʲetʲ]

размахивать: [rɐzmɐˈxivatʲ]

использовать: [ɪspɐˈlʲzəvɐtʲ]

Note on владеть: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'дʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on размахивать: This verb has a rolling 'р' sound; practice it for fluidity in action descriptions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To hold and use (a weapon, tool, etc.) effectively, often implying skill or control.

Translation(s) & Context:

• размахивать - Used in physical or action-oriented contexts, such as in combat or sports; informal and vivid.
• владеть - Applied in contexts involving mastery or control, like wielding a sword in a historical narrative.

Usage Examples:

• Воин размахивал мечом, отбивая атаки врагов.

  The warrior wielded his sword, fending off enemy attacks.

• Она умело владеет кистью, создавая шедевры.

  She wields the brush skillfully, creating masterpieces.

• В бою он размахивал топором, как профессионал.

  In battle, he wielded the axe like a professional.

• Рыцарь владел щитом, защищаясь от стрел.

  The knight wielded his shield, defending against arrows.

• Мастер размахивал молотком, формируя металл.

  The master wielded the hammer, shaping the metal.

Meaning 2: To exercise or have influence over something, such as power or authority.

Translation(s) & Context:

• владеть - Common in formal or abstract contexts, like wielding political power; implies possession and control.
• использовать - More general, for leveraging influence in professional or everyday situations.

Usage Examples:

• Президент владеет значительной властью в стране.

  The president wields significant power in the country.

• Она использует свое влияние, чтобы изменить политику.

  She wields her influence to change policy.

• Бизнесмен владеет сетью компаний, управляя ими эффективно.

  The businessman wields a network of companies, managing them effectively.

• Влиятельный лидер использует свою позицию для реформ.

  The influential leader wields his position for reforms.

• Директор владеет авторитетом, чтобы мотивировать команду.

  The director wields authority to motivate the team.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Владеть' and 'размахивать' are imperfective verbs, while 'использовать' can be used in both imperfective and perfective forms (e.g., использовать/использовать).

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form but conjugate fully in other tenses. 'Владеть' is irregular in some aspects due to its stem changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • управлять (upravlyatʲ) - More about controlling or managing.
  • обладать (oblɐˈdatʲ) - Similar to possessing or wielding power, with a nuance of ownership.
  • манипулировать (mɐnɪpʊˈlɪrəvatʲ) - For wielding in a manipulative context.
• Antonyms:
  • отказываться (ɐtkɐˈzɨvɐtʲ) - To relinquish or give up.
  • терять (tʲɪˈrʲatʲ) - To lose control or possession.

Related Phrases:

• владеть оружием - Wielding a weapon; context: military or historical scenarios.
• размахивать флагом - Waving or wielding a flag; used in patriotic or protest contexts.
• использовать власть - To wield power; common in political discussions, with the implication of influence.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'владеть' is the closest equivalent to 'wield' when emphasizing control or skill, but it often implies possession more than active handling. Choose 'размахивать' for physical actions to ensure a more dynamic translation. Be mindful of formal contexts where 'владеть' fits best, as 'использовать' is more neutral and versatile. Grammatically, these verbs require agreement with the subject in person and number, and they often pair with accusative objects (e.g., "владеть мечом"). For English learners, note that Russian verbs have aspects (imperfective for ongoing actions), which can affect nuance when translating 'wield'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'владеть' with 'иметь' (to have), leading to incorrect usage like "Я имею меч" instead of "Я владею мечом". Correct: Use 'владеть' for active wielding; explanation: 'Иметь' means simple possession, while 'владеть' conveys skill or control.

• Error: Overusing 'размахивать' in non-physical contexts, e.g., saying "Он размахивает властью" when 'владеть' is more appropriate. Correct: "Он владеет властью"; explanation: 'Размахивать' is for literal swinging, not abstract influence, to avoid sounding unnatural.

• Error: Neglecting verb aspects, such as using the imperfective form in perfective contexts. Correct: For a completed action, pair with perfective verbs like 'взять в руки' (to take in hand); explanation: This ensures the sentence reflects the action's completion, as Russian aspect is crucial for precise meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like 'владеть' often appear in historical or literary contexts, such as in tales of knights or leaders, reflecting themes of power and heroism from Russian folklore (e.g., in stories by Pushkin). This can carry a sense of legacy and authority, differing from English where 'wield' might be more neutral.

Related Concepts:

• власть (power)
• оружие (weapon)
• управление (management/control)