Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bask'

English Word: bask

Key Russian Translations:

• греться [ˈɡrʲetʲsə] - [Informal, Used for physical warmth or sunlight]
• нежиться [ˈnʲeʐɨtʲsə] - [Informal, Often implies relaxation or enjoyment]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

греться: [ˈɡrʲetʲsə]

Note on греться: Stress falls on the first syllable. The soft 'r' sound is typical in Russian and may require practice for non-native speakers.

нежиться: [ˈnʲeʐɨtʲsə]

Note on нежиться: The 'ж' sound is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in 'measure'. Stress is on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To enjoy warmth or sunlight

Translation(s) & Context:

• греться - Commonly used for basking in the sun or near a heat source.

Usage Examples:

• Кот греется на солнце.

  The cat is basking in the sun.

• Мы грелись у костра всю ночь.

  We basked by the campfire all night.

• Она любит греться на пляже.

  She loves to bask on the beach.

2. To take pleasure in something (often metaphorically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• нежиться - Used for enjoying a pleasant situation, often with a sense of relaxation or indulgence.

Usage Examples:

• Он нежится в лучах славы.

  He is basking in the glow of fame.

• Она нежилась в тёплой ванне.

  She basked in the warm bath.

• Мы нежились в воспоминаниях о лете.

  We basked in memories of summer.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

греться (to bask/warm oneself) - This is a reflexive verb of the 1st conjugation, often used with the preposition 'на' (e.g., на солнце - in the sun). It follows regular conjugation patterns.

нежиться (to bask/enjoy oneself) - Also a reflexive verb of the 1st conjugation, with a similar conjugation pattern to 'греться'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for греться:

• согреваться (to warm up - more neutral)
• отогреваться (to warm up - often after being cold)

Synonyms for нежиться:

• наслаждаться (to enjoy - broader usage)
• расслабляться (to relax - less specific to basking)

Antonyms:

• мёрзнуть (to freeze - opposite of warming oneself)
• страдать (to suffer - opposite of enjoying)

Related Phrases:

• греться на солнышке - to bask in the little sun (affectionate, informal way to say basking in the sun)
• нежиться в постели - to bask in bed (to linger comfortably in bed)
• греться у огня - to bask by the fire (common expression for warming up near a fire)

Usage Notes:

• 'Греться' is more commonly used when referring to physical warmth or sunlight, while 'нежиться' often carries a connotation of relaxation or indulgence, and can be used metaphorically.
• Both verbs are reflexive in Russian (ending with -ся), which reflects the action being directed at oneself. English learners should remember to include this suffix in conjugation.
• When choosing between the two, consider the context: use 'греться' for literal warmth and 'нежиться' for a more emotional or metaphorical enjoyment.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive -ся ending, e.g., saying 'грею' instead of 'греюсь'.
  Explanation: 'Грею' means 'I warm (something)', while 'греюсь' means 'I warm myself'. Always use the reflexive form for 'bask'.
• Error: Using 'нежиться' in contexts of physical warmth without a sense of enjoyment, e.g., 'нежиться у костра' when simply warming up.
  Explanation: Use 'греться' unless there’s a clear sense of relaxation or pleasure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, basking in the sun or warmth ('греться на солнце') is often associated with relaxation during short summers, especially in colder regions. The concept of 'нежиться' may also evoke a sense of leisurely indulgence, which is highly valued in personal downtime or vacations.

Related Concepts:

• солнце (sun)
• тепло (warmth)
• отдых (rest/relaxation)