Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bedaub'

English Word: bedaub

Key Russian Translations:

• мазать [ˈmazətʲ] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• запачкать [zəpɐˈʧʲkətʲ] - [Informal, Emphasizes accidental smearing]

Frequency: Medium - The verb "мазать" is commonly used in daily Russian conversation, but "bedaub" as a specific English concept is less frequent in translation contexts.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Requires understanding of basic verb conjugation; "мазать" is straightforward for intermediates, while "запачкать" may vary slightly in nuance and is also B1 level.

Pronunciation (Russian):

мазать: [ˈmazətʲ]

запачкать: [zəpɐˈʧʲkətʲ]

Note on мазать: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'tʲ' sound, which is common in Russian verbs and can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on запачкать: Pronounce the 'ч' as a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in "loch"; this verb often has a prefix that alters pronunciation slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To smear or cover with a sticky substance (primary meaning of 'bedaub')

Translation(s) & Context:

• мазать - Used in informal contexts for applying or spreading substances like paint, cream, or food, often intentionally.
• запачкать - Applied in situations involving accidental or messy smearing, such as getting dirty with mud or paint.

Usage Examples:

• Он мажет краску на стену. (He is applying paint to the wall.)

  He is applying paint to the wall. (Shows basic transitive use in a home improvement context.)

• Дети запачкали руки в грязи. (The children smeared their hands with mud.)

  The children smeared their hands with mud. (Illustrates accidental smearing in a playful scenario.)

• Она мажет масло на хлеб каждое утро. (She spreads butter on bread every morning.)

  She spreads butter on bread every morning. (Demonstrates routine, everyday application.)

• Не запачкай одежду этой краской! (Don't smear this paint on your clothes!)

  Don't smear this paint on your clothes! (Emphasizes a warning in an informal setting.)

• Художник мажет кистью цвета на холст. (The artist is smearing colors on the canvas with a brush.)

  The artist is smearing colors on the canvas with a brush. (Shows artistic or creative context with varied grammar.)

To imply excessive or messy application (secondary, metaphorical meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• запачкать - Often used metaphorically for overdoing something messy, like in criticism.

Usage Examples:

• Он запачкал репутацию компании скандалом. (He smeared the company's reputation with a scandal.)

  He smeared the company's reputation with a scandal. (Figurative use in a professional context.)

• Не мажь слишком много крема на лицо. (Don't smear too much cream on your face.)

  Don't smear too much cream on your face. (Advisory context emphasizing excess.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "мазать" and "запачкать" are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which follow regular patterns but require attention to aspects (perfective/imperfective). "Мазать" is imperfective, while "запачкать" is perfective (from "пачкать").

Note: These verbs are regular, but Russian verbs change based on aspect, gender, number, and tense, which is invariant for non-conjugated forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • намазывать - Similar to "мазать" but often implies a more careful application; used in contexts like spreading jam.
  • покрывать - Means "to cover," but less messy; suitable for formal descriptions.
• Antonyms:
  • очищать - Means "to clean" or "to remove."
  • смывать - Means "to wash off."

Related Phrases:

• намазать крем - (To apply cream) - A common phrase for skincare routines.
• запачкать в грязи - (To get dirty with mud) - Used in contexts involving outdoor activities or accidents.
• мазать краску - (To spread paint) - Typical in artistic or DIY scenarios.

Usage Notes:

"Bedaub" corresponds most closely to "мазать" for intentional smearing and "запачкать" for accidental or negative connotations. In Russian, choose "мазать" for ongoing actions (imperfective aspect) and "запачкать" for completed ones. Be mindful of formal contexts; "мазать" is informal and might sound casual in professional settings. Grammar note: Always conjugate based on subject gender and number, e.g., use feminine forms like "мазала" for female subjects.

• When translating 'bedaub' metaphorically, "запачкать" is preferred for its negative undertone.
• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to select the appropriate aspect.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse verb aspects, e.g., using "мазать" when "запачкать" is needed for a completed action. Incorrect: "Я запачкал вчера" (should be "Я запачкался вчера" to reflect reflexive if applicable). Correct: "Я запачкался вчера" - Add the reflexive particle if the action is on oneself. Another error is mispronouncing the soft consonants, like saying [ˈmazat] instead of [ˈmazətʲ], which can change the word's meaning or make it sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like "мазать" and "запачкать" often appear in everyday expressions related to hospitality or messiness, such as in cooking or child-rearing. For instance, smearing food is common in family settings, reflecting a casual, warm approach to daily life, unlike more formal English equivalents.

Related Concepts:

• красть (to paint)
• грязь (dirt)
• покрытие (covering)