Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'blab'

English Word: blab

Key Russian Translations:

• болтать [bɐlˈtatʲ] - [Informal, used for casual chatting or gossiping]
• разболтать [rəzbɐlˈtatʲ] - [Informal, specifically for revealing secrets or spilling information]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations but not in formal writing)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and informal contexts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

болтать: [bɐlˈtatʲ]

Note on болтать: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 't' sound, which is palatalized in Russian.

Audio: []

разболтать: [rəzbɐlˈtatʲ]

Note on разболтать: The prefix 'раз-' adds a sense of dispersion; pronounce the 'r' with a slight roll for authenticity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To talk idly, gossip, or chat casually without purpose.

Translation(s) & Context:

• болтать - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as among friends or in relaxed social settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда болтает о пустяках во время обеда.

  He always blabs about trifles during lunch.

• Дети болтают в парке, не замечая времени.

  The kids are blabbing in the park, oblivious to the time.

• Не болтай так много; лучше сосредоточься на работе.

  Don't blab so much; better focus on work.

• Она болтает по телефону часами, обсуждая сплетни.

  She blabs on the phone for hours, discussing gossip.

Meaning 2: To reveal secrets or confidential information unintentionally.

Translation(s) & Context:

• разболтать - Applied in contexts involving trust breaches, like sharing private details, often in informal or emotional scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Он случайно разболтал секрет на вечеринке.

  He accidentally blabbed the secret at the party.

• Не разболтай эту информацию; это конфиденциально.

  Don't blab this information; it's confidential.

• Она разболтала план друзьям, и всё пошло наперекосяк.

  She blabbed the plan to friends, and everything went wrong.

• Разболтать такие вещи — это предательство.

  Blabbing such things is a betrayal.

• Он разболтал пароль, и теперь аккаунт взломан.

  He blabbed the password, and now the account is hacked.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "болтать" and "разболтать" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns with irregularities in certain forms.

For "болтать" (infinitive):

For "разболтать" (similar structure, but with prefix):

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the past tense, which is a common feature of Russian imperfective verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: трепаться (more vulgar, for pointless talking), сплетничать (specifically for gossiping) - "трепаться" is often used in very casual contexts with a playful tone.
• Antonyms: молчать (to be silent), умолкнуть (to become quiet)

Related Phrases:

• болтать без умолку - To talk incessantly without stopping (used for someone who chatters nonstop in informal settings).
• разболтать тайну - To blab a secret (implies accidental or careless revelation, common in interpersonal conflicts).
• болтать ерунду - To blab nonsense (refers to talking about trivial or foolish things, often in a light-hearted way).

Usage Notes:

"Blab" corresponds most closely to informal Russian verbs like "болтать" for general chatting and "разболтать" for revealing information. Use these in casual conversations rather than formal writing, as they carry a connotation of indiscretion. For example, choose "болтать" when describing everyday gossip, but opt for "разболтать" when emphasizing betrayal of trust. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these verbs often imply negativity, so they might sound judgmental in professional settings.

• Grammar note: Always conjugate based on the subject for correct agreement.
• Choose between translations based on nuance—e.g., "разболтать" for secrets, "болтать" for idle talk.

Common Errors:

One common error is confusing "болтать" with "говорить" (to speak), which is more neutral and formal. For instance, English learners might say "Я говорю secrets" instead of "Я разболтал секреты," leading to a mismatch in tone. Correct usage: Use "болтать" for informal, chatty contexts, not for serious discussions. Another mistake is incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "болтаюс" instead of "болтаю" for "I blab," which alters the verb form incorrectly—always end with the proper suffix based on person and tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "blabbing" or excessive talking, as with "болтать," can be seen as a sign of sociability in informal groups but rude in formal or professional environments. Historically, in Russian literature (e.g., works by Chekhov), characters who "разболтать" secrets often face consequences, reflecting a cultural emphasis on discretion and trust in relationships.

Related Concepts:

• треп
• сплетни
• болтовня