Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'argue'

English Word: argue

Key Russian Translations:

• спорить [ˈsporʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, General Use]
• дискутировать [dʲɪskʊˈtʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, Academic]
• пререкаться [prʲɪrʲɪˈkatʲsə] - [Informal, Often Negative Connotation]

Frequency: High (especially "спорить")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate for "спорить"; B2 for "дискутировать" and "пререкаться")

Pronunciation (Russian):

спорить: [ˈsporʲɪtʲ]

Note on спорить: Stress falls on the first syllable; the "р" is rolled slightly.

дискутировать: [dʲɪskʊˈtʲirəvətʲ]

Note on дискутировать: Stress on the third syllable; often used in written or formal contexts.

пререкаться: [prʲɪrʲɪˈkatʲsə]

Note on пререкаться: Stress on the third syllable; the prefix "пре-" adds a sense of opposition.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To dispute or disagree (General Argument)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спорить - Commonly used for everyday disagreements or debates.
• пререкаться - Used for petty or heated arguments, often with a negative tone.

Usage Examples:

• Мы часто спорим о политике.

  We often argue about politics.

• Не пререкайся с учителем!

  Don’t argue back with the teacher!

• Они спорили из-за мелочей.

  They argued over trivial things.

2. To discuss formally (Debate or Discussion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дискутировать - Used in formal, academic, or professional discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Студенты дискутировали о будущем технологий.

  The students argued (debated) about the future of technology.

• Мы дискутировали на тему экологии.

  We argued (discussed) the topic of ecology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

спорить (Verb, Imperfective Aspect)

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	спорю [ˈsporʲʊ]
Ты (You, sing.)	споришь [ˈsporʲɪʃ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	спорит [ˈsporʲɪt]
Мы (We)	спорим [ˈsporʲɪm]
Вы (You, pl./formal)	спорите [ˈsporʲɪtʲɪ]
Они (They)	спорят [ˈsporʲət]

Note: Perfective form is "поспорить", used for completed arguments.

дискутировать and пререкаться follow similar conjugation patterns as imperfective verbs. Detailed tables can be provided upon request.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for спорить:

• возражать (to object)
• дебатировать (to debate, formal)

Note: "возражать" often implies objection, while "дебатировать" is closer to formal debate.

Antonyms for спорить:

• соглашаться (to agree)
• договориться (to come to an agreement)

Related Phrases:

• спорить до хрипоты - to argue until hoarse (to argue intensely)
• не о чем спорить - there’s nothing to argue about (used to dismiss a debate)
• пререкаться по пустякам - to bicker over trifles (petty arguments)

Usage Notes:

• "спорить" is the most common and neutral term for "argue", suitable for most informal and semi-formal contexts.
• "дискутировать" is reserved for structured or intellectual discussions, often in academic or professional settings.
• "пререкаться" carries a negative connotation, implying stubbornness or rudeness, and is often used in reprimands.
• Russian verbs of arguing often require the preposition "с" (with) when mentioning the person argued with, e.g., "спорить с другом" (to argue with a friend).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "дискутировать" in casual conversation. Incorrect: "Я дискутировал с другом о фильме." Correct: "Я спорил с другом о фильме." (Explanation: "дискутировать" sounds overly formal for casual arguments.)
• Error: Omitting the preposition "с" when mentioning the opponent. Incorrect: "Я спорил друг." Correct: "Я спорил с другом." (Explanation: The preposition "с" is required to indicate "with whom".)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, arguing (especially using "спорить") can sometimes be seen as a sign of engagement or passion about a topic, particularly in intellectual circles. However, "пререкаться" (bickering) is frowned upon as it suggests disrespect or unnecessary conflict, especially with elders or authority figures.

Related Concepts:

• дебаты (debates)
• конфликт (conflict)
• разногласие (disagreement)