Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Appreciate'

English Word: appreciate

Key Russian Translations:

• ценить [ˈt͡sɛnʲɪtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, General Use]
• оценивать [ɐˈt͡sɛnʲɪvətʲ] - [Formal, Often for Evaluation]
• благодарить [bləɡəˈdarʲɪtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Expressing Gratitude]

Frequency: High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "ценить" and "благодарить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "оценивать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

ценить: [ˈt͡sɛnʲɪtʲ]

Note on ценить: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ц" sound is a unique Russian affricate, pronounced like "ts" in "cats."

оценивать: [ɐˈt͡sɛnʲɪvətʲ]

Note on оценивать: Stress on the second syllable. The initial "о" is reduced to "ɐ" in unstressed position.

благодарить: [bləɡəˈdarʲɪtʲ]

Note on благодарить: Stress on the third syllable. The "г" is voiced, similar to "g" in "go."

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To value or regard highly

Translation(s) & Context:

• ценить - Used when expressing admiration or high regard for something or someone (e.g., personal qualities, efforts).

Usage Examples:

• Я очень ценю твою помощь.

  I really appreciate your help.

• Она ценит дружбу выше всего.

  She values friendship above all else.

• Мы ценим ваше время.

  We appreciate your time.

2. To evaluate or assess

Translation(s) & Context:

• оценивать - Used in contexts of assessment or judgment (e.g., grading, reviewing).

Usage Examples:

• Учитель оценивает работы учеников.

  The teacher appreciates (evaluates) the students' work.

• Как вы оцениваете эту ситуацию?

  How do you appreciate (assess) this situation?

3. To be grateful for something

Translation(s) & Context:

• благодарить - Used to express thanks or gratitude, often interchangeably with "спасибо" in formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Благодарю за ваше внимание.

  I appreciate (thank you for) your attention.

• Мы благодарим вас за поддержку.

  We appreciate (thank you for) your support.

• Благодарю, что вы пришли.

  I appreciate (thank you) that you came.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ценить (verb, imperfective): Follows regular conjugation for verbs ending in -ить (2nd conjugation). Below is the present tense conjugation:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	ценю	ценим
2nd	ценишь	цените
3rd	ценит	ценят

оценивать (verb, imperfective): Regular 1st conjugation verb. Often used with prefixes like "пере-" (переоценивать - to overestimate).

благодарить (verb, imperfective): Regular 2nd conjugation verb. Commonly used in formal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ценить (to value):

• уважать (to respect)
• дорожить (to cherish)

Note: "уважать" often implies respect for a person, while "дорожить" is used for something emotionally valuable.

Antonyms for ценить:

• презирать (to despise)
• игнорировать (to ignore)

Related Phrases:

• ценить по достоинству - to appreciate fully (lit. "to value by merit")
• оценивать на глаз - to appreciate (assess) by eye (informal, for rough estimation)
• благодарить судьбу - to appreciate (thank) fate (for good fortune)

Usage Notes:

• "ценить" is the most direct and versatile translation for "appreciate" when it means to value something or someone. It works in both formal and informal contexts.
• "оценивать" is more specific to evaluation or judgment and is less emotional than "ценить." Use it in academic or analytical contexts.
• "благодарить" overlaps with "thank" in English and should be used when "appreciate" implies gratitude. It is often more formal than "спасибо" (thanks).
• Pay attention to aspect: "ценить" and "оценивать" are imperfective verbs. For completed actions, use perfective forms like "оценить" (to have appreciated/evaluated).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "благодарить" in casual speech instead of "спасибо." Example (Incorrect): Благодарю за кофе. Correct: Спасибо за кофе. Explanation: "Благодарю" sounds overly formal in everyday situations.
• Error: Confusing "ценить" with "оценивать" in emotional contexts. Example (Incorrect): Я оцениваю твою доброту. Correct: Я ценю твою доброту. Explanation: "оценивать" sounds cold and analytical for personal appreciation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing appreciation through "благодарить" or "спасибо" is highly valued, especially in formal or professional settings. Russians often use verbal gratitude to build rapport, and neglecting to say thanks can be seen as impolite. Additionally, "ценить" often carries a deep emotional connotation, reflecting the cultural emphasis on sincerity in valuing relationships or efforts.

Related Concepts:

• уважение (respect)
• благодарность (gratitude)
• оценка (evaluation)