Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Behave'

English Word: Behave

Key Russian Translations:

• вести себя [ˈvʲesʲtʲi sʲɪˈbʲa] - [Neutral, General Usage]
• держаться [dʲɪrˈʐatʲsə] - [Formal, Often in Specific Contexts]
• поведение [pəvʲɪˈdʲenʲɪjə] - [Noun Form, Refers to Behavior]

Frequency: High (Commonly used in everyday conversations)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "вести себя"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "держаться" due to nuanced usage

Pronunciation (Russian):

вести себя: [ˈvʲesʲtʲi sʲɪˈbʲa]

Note on вести себя: Stress falls on the first syllable of "вести" and the second syllable of "себя".

держаться: [dʲɪrˈʐatʲsə]

Note on держаться: The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

поведение: [pəvʲɪˈdʲenʲɪjə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To act in a particular way (General Behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вести себя - Used to describe how someone acts or behaves in general or specific situations.

Usage Examples:

• Ты должен вести себя прилично на вечеринке.

  You should behave properly at the party.

• Она всегда ведёт себя очень вежливо с гостями.

  She always behaves very politely with guests.

• Дети вели себя шумно в классе.

  The children behaved noisily in class.

2. To conduct oneself with restraint or dignity (Formal Behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• держаться - Often used in formal or specific contexts to imply maintaining composure or dignity.

Usage Examples:

• Он держался уверенно во время интервью.

  He behaved confidently during the interview.

• Она держалась спокойно, несмотря на стресс.

  She behaved calmly despite the stress.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

вести себя (Verb, Reflexive): This verb is conjugated irregularly and always used with the reflexive pronoun "себя". Below is the present tense conjugation:

держаться (Verb, Reflexive): Also reflexive, conjugated regularly in most tenses, implying holding oneself in a certain manner.

поведение (Noun): A neuter noun, declined according to the second declension pattern. Singular and plural forms are used depending on context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "вести себя":

• действовать
• поступать

Note: "действовать" is more about actions in general, while "поступать" often implies moral or ethical behavior.

Antonyms for "вести себя":

• безобразничать (to misbehave)

Related Phrases:

• вести себя как дома - To behave as if at home (to feel comfortable).
• держаться стойко - To behave steadfastly (to remain resolute).
• хорошее поведение - Good behavior (often used in formal or educational contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "вести себя" is the most common and neutral way to express "behave" in Russian, suitable for most contexts.
• "держаться" is more formal and often implies maintaining a certain demeanor or composure, frequently used in professional or stressful situations.
• Remember that "вести себя" is always reflexive and requires "себя", which must agree with the subject in case (always accusative in this context).

Common Errors:

• Error: Omitting "себя" when using "вести себя". Incorrect: *Ты должен вести прилично.* Correct: Ты должен вести себя прилично. (Explanation: The reflexive pronoun is mandatory.)
• Error: Using "держаться" in casual contexts. Incorrect: *Он держался весело на вечеринке.* Correct: Он вёл себя весело на вечеринке. (Explanation: "держаться" is formal and not suitable for casual or emotional contexts.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, behavior ("поведение") is often emphasized in social and educational settings. Polite and restrained behavior, especially in public or formal situations, is highly valued. The verb "держаться" often carries a connotation of stoicism, reflecting a cultural appreciation for composure under pressure.

Related Concepts:

• вежливость (politeness)
• приличие (decency)
• манеры (manners)