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"to attack on a grand scale" in Russian:нападать Vs. атаковать

Posted: Apr 13th, 17, 19:57
by ScottChang
Hi all,
I want to translate the English phrase "to attack on a grand scale" into Russian. In Google Translate, I got "нападать" for this phrase.
(1) I am not sure that "нападать" is a proper Russian word for the English phrase "to attack on a grand scale" or not!
(2) I also want to know the difference between "нападать" and "атаковать" in Russian expression.

Please help, comment/explain, and respond.

Thanks in advance.

Re: "to attack on a grand scale" in Russian:нападать Vs. атаковать

Posted: Apr 14th, 17, 14:45
by Jeremy Katz
Well, there's also a word "наступать", which may be closer to the actual meaning.
Also, I would've used a different structure, like, it would sound more natural to say "проводить широкомасштабное наступление" (to launch a full-on assault) or something like that. Which, pretty much, crosses out the whole question of meaning.
Basically, it's also a matter of style. Like, are you writing a post, or are you speaking with your close friend? Please provide further context so I can specify the word combination.

The difference between these words is pretty much summed up in a difference between "to assault" and "to attack", which is miniscule.

Re: "to attack on a grand scale" in Russian:нападать Vs. атаковать

Posted: Apr 17th, 17, 17:23
by ScottChang
Hi Jeremy Katz, Thanks for your response.
I am thinking to translate the following English sentence into Russian:

Will the USA attack North Korea on a grand scale now?

Please help, translate it, and respond.

Thanks again,

Scott Chang

Re: "to attack on a grand scale" in Russian:нападать Vs. атаковать

Posted: Apr 17th, 17, 21:33
by Jeremy Katz
Here, as well, it depends on a context.
Basically, what I said, "Начнут ли США широкомасштабное наступление на Северную Корею?". But that's not exactly the informal statement, more of a news line. Basically, a metaphrase, a verbatim translation.

If you want informal, you cut off "on a grand scale" and replace "attack" with "assault" - Нападут ли США на Северную Корею? (I know, not exactly the literal meaning of what you wanted to say, yet a more natural sounding sentence to a Russian ear).