Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Antic'

English Word: antic

Key Russian Translations:

• шалость [ˈʂaləsʲtʲ] - [Informal, Often used for playful behavior]
• выходка [ˈvɨxətkə] - [Neutral, Used for odd or unexpected actions]
• проказы [prɐˈkazɨ] - [Informal, Plural, Often used for mischievous acts]

Frequency: Medium (not extremely common, often context-specific)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шалость: [ˈʂaləsʲtʲ]

Note on шалость: The initial 'ш' is a soft, hissing sound unique to Russian; stress is on the first syllable.

выходка: [ˈvɨxətkə]

Note on выходка: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, not found in English.

проказы: [prɐˈkazɨ]

Note on проказы: Stress is on the second syllable; often used in plural form.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Playful or Funny Behavior (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шалость - Often refers to playful or childish antics in a lighthearted context.
• проказы - Used for mischievous or naughty behavior, often by children.

Usage Examples:

• Его шалость всех рассмешила.

  His antic made everyone laugh.

• Дети устраивали проказы весь день.

  The children were up to antics all day.

• Эта шалость была безобидной.

  This antic was harmless.

2. Strange or Unexpected Action (as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• выходка - Refers to an odd, unexpected, or eccentric action, sometimes with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Его выходка удивила всех на вечеринке.

  His antic surprised everyone at the party.

• Такая выходка недопустима в обществе.

  Such an antic is unacceptable in society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

шалость (noun, feminine): Follows regular feminine noun declension patterns in Russian.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	шалость	шалости
Genitive	шалости	шалостей
Dative	шалости	шалостям
Accusative	шалость	шалости
Instrumental	шалостью	шалостями
Prepositional	о шалости	о шалостях

выходка (noun, feminine): Follows similar feminine declension patterns; singular and plural forms vary by case.

проказы (noun, feminine, often plural): Commonly used in plural form; follows regular declension for plural nouns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for шалость/проказы (playful behavior):

• озорство
• баловство

Note: 'озорство' often implies a slightly naughtier tone than 'шалость'.

Synonyms for выходка (odd behavior):

• чудачество
• эксцентричность

Antonyms:

• серьёзность (seriousness)
• сдержанность (restraint)

Related Phrases:

• устроить шалость - to pull off an antic (playful act)
• детские проказы - children's antics (mischievous behavior)
• глупая выходка - foolish antic (odd or inappropriate action)

Usage Notes:

• The choice between 'шалость', 'выходка', and 'проказы' depends heavily on context and tone. 'шалость' and 'проказы' are more playful, often used for children, while 'выходка' can carry a neutral or negative connotation for eccentric or inappropriate behavior.
• 'проказы' is frequently used in the plural form, especially when describing repeated or varied mischievous acts.
• These words do not directly translate to 'antic' in all English contexts; they are closer to specific senses like 'prank' or 'odd behavior'.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'выходка' for playful, harmless antics.
  Incorrect: Его выходка была смешной. (Intended: His antic was funny.)
  Correct: Его шалость была смешной.
  Explanation: 'выходка' often implies something odd or negative, not necessarily funny or playful.
• Error: Using singular 'проказа' instead of plural 'проказы'.
  Incorrect: У него была проказа.
  Correct: У него были проказы.
  Explanation: 'проказы' is almost always used in plural when referring to antics.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, playful antics ('шалость' or 'проказы') are often associated with childhood innocence and are generally viewed positively unless they cross boundaries of respect. On the other hand, 'выходка' might be used to describe behavior that defies social norms, sometimes critically.

Related Concepts:

• озорство (mischief)
• баловство (fooling around)
• чудачество (eccentricity)