Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'beckon'

English Word: beckon

Key Russian Translations:

• манить [ˈmanʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Often figurative]
• призывать [prʲɪˈzɨvatʲ] - [Formal, Often used in a broader sense]
• махать рукой [mɐˈxatʲ rʊˈkoj] - [Informal, Literal gesture]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "манить" and "махать рукой"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "призывать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

манить: [ˈmanʲɪtʲ]

Note on манить: Stress falls on the first syllable. The soft "н" sound is a common challenge for non-native speakers.

призывать: [prʲɪˈzɨvatʲ]

Note on призывать: Stress on the second syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "ы" is a distinct Russian vowel sound.

махать рукой: [mɐˈxatʲ rʊˈkoj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To signal someone to come closer (literal gesture)

Translation(s) & Context:

• махать рукой - Used for physically waving or gesturing with the hand to call someone over.

Usage Examples:

• Она махала рукой, чтобы позвать меня.

  She waved her hand to call me over.

• Он махнул рукой издалека, чтобы я подошел.

  He beckoned with his hand from a distance for me to come closer.

• Махай рукой, если увидишь его!

  Wave your hand if you see him!

2. To attract or lure (figurative sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• манить - Often used for abstract attraction or temptation, like an idea or opportunity.

Usage Examples:

• Мечта о путешествиях манит меня с детства.

  The dream of traveling has beckoned me since childhood.

• Его манили огни большого города.

  He was beckoned by the lights of the big city.

• Эта идея манит, но кажется рискованной.

  This idea beckons, but it seems risky.

3. To summon or call (formal or broader context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• призывать - Used in formal or serious contexts, often implying a call to action or duty.

Usage Examples:

• Он призывал всех объединиться ради общей цели.

  He beckoned everyone to unite for a common goal.

• Его слова призывали к действию.

  His words beckoned for action.

• Судьба словно призывала его вернуться.

  Fate seemed to beckon him to return.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

манить (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in the first conjugation group. Below is the present tense conjugation:

призывать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation with a stem change in some forms. Consult a full conjugation table for past and future tenses.

махать рукой (Verb Phrase): The verb "махать" is imperfective and conjugates regularly. "Рукой" (instrumental case of "рука") remains unchanged in this context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for манить:

• привлекать (to attract)
• соблазнять (to tempt)

Note: "привлекать" is more neutral, while "соблазнять" often implies temptation with a negative connotation.

Antonyms for манить:

• отталкивать (to repel)
• отпугивать (to scare off)

Related Phrases:

• манить к себе - To draw someone closer, often emotionally or figuratively.
• призывать на помощь - To beckon for help, call for assistance.
• махать рукой на прощание - To wave goodbye, often with a hand gesture.

Usage Notes:

• "манить" is the most direct translation for the figurative sense of "beckon," implying attraction or lure. It is less formal than "призывать."
• "призывать" is often used in serious or formal contexts, such as calling someone to duty or action. It may not always fit casual contexts.
• "махать рукой" is strictly for the physical gesture of beckoning with a hand and does not carry the figurative meaning of "beckon."
• Choose the translation based on whether the context is literal (physical gesture) or figurative (attraction or summoning).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "манить" for a literal hand gesture.
  Incorrect: Он манил рукой.
  Correct: Он махал рукой.
  Explanation: "манить" is mostly figurative and should not be used for physical waving.
• Error: Confusing "призывать" with casual contexts.
  Incorrect: Она призывала меня подойти.
  Correct: Она махала рукой, чтобы я подошел.
  Explanation: "призывать" sounds overly formal for everyday beckoning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, beckoning with a hand ("махать рукой") is often accompanied by direct eye contact to ensure the gesture is noticed. Unlike in some cultures, a subtle gesture might not be enough to call someone over—Russians may use a more pronounced wave or even a verbal call.

Related Concepts:

• привлечение (attraction)
• жест (gesture)
• призыв (call/summons)