Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'bicker'

English Word: bicker

Key Russian Translations:

• спорить [ˈsporʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Neutral]
• ссориться [ˈsːorʲɪtʲsə] - [Informal, Often Emotional]
• пререкаться [prʲɪrʲɪˈkatʲsə] - [Informal, Slightly Disapproving]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "спорить" and "ссориться"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "пререкаться"

Pronunciation (Russian):

спорить: [ˈsporʲɪtʲ]

Note on спорить: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "р" sound is rolled.

ссориться: [ˈsːorʲɪtʲsə]

Note on ссориться: Double "с" is pronounced with a slight emphasis. Stress on the first syllable.

пререкаться: [prʲɪrʲɪˈkatʲsə]

Note on пререкаться: Stress on the third syllable. The prefix "пре-" softens the tone of disagreement.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To argue about small or unimportant matters

Translation(s) & Context:

• спорить - Used for general arguments or debates, often over minor issues.
• пререкаться - Implies a back-and-forth petty argument, often with a negative tone.

Usage Examples:

• Они всегда спорят из-за мелочей.

  They always bicker over trivial things.

• Дети спорят, кто первый сядет в машину.

  The children are bickering over who gets to sit in the car first.

• Не пререкайтесь с учителем!

  Don't bicker with the teacher!

2. To quarrel or have a minor conflict

Translation(s) & Context:

• ссориться - Used for emotional quarrels, often implying personal disagreement.

Usage Examples:

• Мы часто ссоримся, но быстро миримся.

  We often bicker, but we make up quickly.

• Они ссорятся из-за пустяков каждый день.

  They bicker over trifles every day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

спорить (to argue/bicker): This is a regular verb of the second conjugation. It follows standard conjugation patterns.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (Masculine/Feminine/Neuter)
Я (I)	спорю	спорил / спорила / спорило
Ты (You, singular)	споришь	спорил / спорила / спорило
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	спорит	спорил / спорила / спорило
Мы (We)	спорим	спорили
Вы (You, plural)	спорите	спорили
Они (They)	спорят	спорили

ссориться (to quarrel/bicker): Reflexive verb, also regular. Always used with the reflexive suffix "-ся". Conjugation follows a similar pattern to "спорить".

пререкаться (to bicker/argue back and forth): Reflexive verb with a slightly irregular stress pattern in some forms. Commonly used in imperative or infinitive forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• дискутировать (more formal discussion)
• ругаться (more intense, closer to quarreling)

Antonyms:

• соглашаться (to agree)
• мириться (to make peace)

Note: "дискутировать" is more formal and less emotional than "спорить", while "ругаться" often implies stronger conflict than "ссориться".

Related Phrases:

• спорить до хрипоты - to argue until hoarse (used for heated, prolonged arguments)
• ссориться из-за пустяков - to bicker over trifles (common for minor, petty quarrels)
• не пререкайся! - don't argue back! (used as a reprimand, often to children)

Usage Notes:

• "спорить" is the most neutral and widely used term for "bicker", suitable for most contexts involving minor arguments or debates.
• "ссориться" carries a more emotional tone and is often used for personal disagreements, even if they are minor.
• "пререкаться" has a slightly negative connotation, often implying unnecessary or petty back-and-forth arguing, and is less common in formal contexts.
• Be mindful of reflexive forms like "ссориться" and "пререкаться", which always require the "-ся" suffix in conjugation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive suffix "-ся" in "ссориться" or "пререкаться". Example: *Я ссорить* (incorrect) instead of *Я ссорюсь* (correct). Explanation: These verbs are always reflexive in Russian and require the suffix.
• Error: Using "спорить" in highly emotional contexts where "ссориться" would be more appropriate. Example: *Мы спорим каждый день с женой* (less natural) vs. *Мы ссоримся каждый день с женой* (more natural for personal quarrels). Explanation: "спорить" is more intellectual or neutral, while "ссориться" fits emotional disputes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, open arguments or bickering, especially in public, can sometimes be perceived as less polite than in some Western cultures. While "спорить" might be acceptable in a debate context, using "ссориться" or "пререкаться" in public may suggest a lack of restraint or decorum. Russians often value maintaining harmony in social settings, so bickering over small matters might be discouraged or resolved privately.

Related Concepts:

• конфликт (conflict)
• разногласие (disagreement)
• дебаты (debate)