Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bathe'

English Word: bathe

Key Russian Translations:

• купаться [ˈkupətʲsə] - [Informal, Used for swimming or bathing in water]
• мыться [ˈmɨtʲsə] - [Informal, Used for washing oneself]
• принимать ванну [prʲɪnʲɪˈmatʲ ˈvannu] - [Formal, Used for taking a bath]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday contexts)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate, depending on the context and form)

Pronunciation (Russian):

купаться: [ˈkupətʲsə]

Note on купаться: Stress falls on the first syllable. The soft 'т' sound can be challenging for non-native speakers.

мыться: [ˈmɨtʲsə]

Note on мыться: The 'ы' vowel is unique to Russian and often difficult for English speakers to pronounce.

принимать ванну: [prʲɪnʲɪˈmatʲ ˈvannu]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To wash oneself (personal hygiene)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мыться - Used for washing oneself, often in a shower or bath.
• принимать ванну - Specifically refers to taking a bath, more formal or descriptive.

Usage Examples:

• Я люблю мыться утром.

  I like to wash myself in the morning.

• Она принимает ванну каждый вечер.

  She takes a bath every evening.

• Ты мылся сегодня?

  Did you wash yourself today?

2. To swim or immerse in water (recreational)

Translation(s) & Context:

• купаться - Refers to swimming or bathing in a river, lake, or sea, often recreational.

Usage Examples:

• Мы купаемся в озере каждое лето.

  We bathe in the lake every summer.

• Не купайся в холодной воде!

  Don't bathe in cold water!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

купаться (verb, reflexive, imperfective): This verb conjugates regularly in the present, past, and future tenses. It is often used with the preposition "в" (in) to indicate location.

мыться (verb, reflexive, imperfective): Similar conjugation pattern to "купаться," used for personal washing.

принимать ванну (phrase): The verb "принимать" (to take/receive) conjugates, while "ванну" (bath, accusative case of "ванна") remains unchanged.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for купаться:

• плавать (to swim, often interchangeable in recreational contexts)

Synonyms for мыться:

• умываться (to wash face/hands, more specific)

Antonyms: None directly applicable, as the concept of "not bathing" is expressed differently.

Related Phrases:

• купаться в реке - to bathe in the river (recreational swimming)
• принимать горячую ванну - to take a hot bath (for relaxation or hygiene)
• мыться в душе - to wash in the shower (personal hygiene)

Usage Notes:

• "Купаться" is primarily used for recreational bathing or swimming in natural bodies of water, while "мыться" focuses on personal hygiene.
• "Принимать ванну" is a more formal or descriptive way to say "take a bath" and often implies a longer, relaxing activity.
• Be mindful of reflexive forms (ending in -ся) as they are crucial in Russian verbs like "купаться" and "мыться."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "купаться" for personal hygiene. Incorrect: "Я купаюсь в ванной" (I bathe in the bathtub). Correct: "Я принимаю ванну" or "Я моюсь."
• Error: Forgetting the reflexive particle "-ся" in verbs like "купаться" or "мыться." Incorrect: "Я купаю." Correct: "Я купаюсь."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, bathing can have specific connotations, such as the tradition of "баня" (banya), a Russian sauna or steam bath, which is a significant social and cultural activity. While "купаться" or "мыться" may not directly refer to this, understanding the broader context of cleanliness and communal bathing in Russia can enrich your comprehension of related vocabulary.

Related Concepts:

• баня (banya - Russian steam bath)
• душ (dush - shower)
• ванна (vanna - bathtub)