Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'adulate'

English Word: adulate

Key Russian Translations:

• льстить [ˈlstʲitʲ] - [Informal, often used in everyday conversations for insincere flattery]
• восхвалять [vɐsxvaˈlʲatʲ] - [Formal, typically in written or official contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in literature, media, and daily speech but not as common as basic verbs.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuances in formal vs. informal usage. For 'льстить', it's straightforward; for 'восхвалять', verb forms add complexity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

льстить: [ˈlstʲitʲ] (The 'л' is soft, and the stress is on the first syllable. Note on льстить: Be careful with the palatalized 'тʲ', which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to non-palatal sounds.)

восхвалять: [vɐsxvaˈlʲatʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'хв' combination produces a guttural sound. Note on восхвалять: This word has a more emphatic pronunciation due to its formal nature.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To praise excessively or flatter someone, often insincerely.

Translation(s) & Context:

• льстить - Used in informal settings, such as personal interactions, to describe insincere compliments aimed at gaining favor.
• восхвалять - Applied in formal or literary contexts, like speeches or writings, to denote exaggerated praise with a more positive connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда льстит своим друзьям, чтобы они помогли ему в трудную минуту.

  He always flatters his friends to get their help in times of trouble. (This example shows 'льстить' in an informal, everyday context with a verb in the present tense.)

• В газетах часто восхваляют известных политиков, но это не всегда искренне.

  Newspapers often adulate famous politicians, but it's not always sincere. (Here, 'восхвалять' is used in a formal, written context, illustrating its application in media.)

• Ей нравится, когда коллеги льстят, но она знает, что это из корысти.

  She enjoys it when colleagues adulate her, but she knows it's out of self-interest. (This demonstrates 'льстить' in a workplace scenario, highlighting interpersonal dynamics.)

• В исторических текстах императоров восхваляют за их завоевания.

  In historical texts, emperors are adulated for their conquests. (This uses 'восхвалять' in a literary or historical context, showing its formal structure.)

• Иногда люди льстят начальству, чтобы избежать критики.

  Sometimes people adulate their superiors to avoid criticism. (This example varies the usage of 'льстить' with a purpose clause, emphasizing motivational aspects.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'льстить' and 'восхвалять' are verbs, so they follow Russian conjugation patterns. 'льстить' is an imperfective verb, while 'восхвалять' is also imperfective. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for the present tense conjugations:

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms in the present tense but require attention to aspect (imperfective) for past and future tenses. For example, the perfective forms would be 'полюбезничать' for 'льстить' in some contexts, but that's not directly equivalent.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: подхалимничать (more colloquial, implies sycophantic behavior), хвалить (praise, but less intense)
• Antonyms: критиковать (to criticize, directly opposes excessive praise)

Brief notes: 'Подхалимничать' is often used for blatant flattery with a negative undertone, while 'хвалить' is neutral and can be sincere.

Related Phrases:

• ЛЬстить себе - To flatter oneself (Used when someone overestimates their own abilities, e.g., in self-deception scenarios).
• Восхвалять кого-то чрезмерно - To adulate someone excessively (A phrase emphasizing over-the-top praise in formal settings).
• Подхалимничать перед начальством - To flatter the boss (A common idiomatic expression for workplace sycophancy).

Usage Notes:

'Adulate' corresponds most closely to 'льстить' in informal English-Russian translations, as it carries a connotation of insincerity, whereas 'восхвалять' is better for more neutral or positive excessive praise. Use 'льстить' in everyday conversations or when describing manipulative behavior, but opt for 'восхвалять' in literary or formal contexts to avoid sounding negative. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: these are imperfective verbs, so they describe ongoing actions. When choosing between translations, consider the audience—'льстить' might sound too casual in professional writing.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'льстить' with 'хвалить' and using it interchangeably. Incorrect: Он хвалит босса (implying genuine praise). Correct: Он льстит боссу (for insincere flattery). Explanation: 'Хвалить' lacks the negative nuance, so learners should check context to avoid understating insincerity.
• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying 'льстит' for plural subjects. Incorrect: Они льстит (wrong form). Correct: Они льстят. Explanation: Russian verbs must agree in person and number, which is a common pitfall for English speakers used to less inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, flattery ('льстить') is often viewed with skepticism, as it can be associated with Soviet-era sycophancy or hierarchical structures. However, 'восхвалять' might appear in patriotic contexts, like praising national heroes, reflecting a cultural emphasis on collective pride and rhetoric in literature and media.

Related Concepts:

• подхалимство (sycophancy)
• хвастовство (boasting)
• критика (criticism)