Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Blink'

English Word: Blink

Key Russian Translations:

• моргать [mɐrˈɡatʲ] - [Informal, General Use]
• мигать [mʲɪˈɡatʲ] - [General Use, Often for Repeated Blinking or Flashing]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

моргать: [mɐrˈɡatʲ]

Note on моргать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'r' is rolled slightly, typical of Russian pronunciation.

мигать: [mʲɪˈɡatʲ]

Note on мигать: Stress on the second syllable. The initial 'm' is palatalized due to the following 'i' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To close and open eyes quickly (Physical Action)

Translation(s) & Context:

• моргать - Used for a single or natural blink, often involuntary.
• мигать - Can imply repeated blinking or a deliberate action.

Usage Examples:

• Я моргнул, чтобы убрать пыль из глаз.

  I blinked to get the dust out of my eyes.

• Она мигает, когда нервничает.

  She blinks when she’s nervous.

• Не моргай, когда смотришь в телескоп!

  Don’t blink when looking through the telescope!

• Он мигал глазами от яркого света.

  He was blinking his eyes because of the bright light.

• Моргни, если понял меня.

  Blink if you understand me.

2. To flash intermittently (e.g., lights)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мигать - Commonly used for lights or signals blinking/flashing.

Usage Examples:

• Сигнал мигает красным светом.

  The signal is blinking red.

• Фонарь мигал в темноте.

  The lantern was blinking in the dark.

• Индикатор мигает, значит, устройство включено.

  The indicator is blinking, meaning the device is on.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

моргать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in the present, past, and future tenses. Below is the present tense conjugation:

мигать (Verb, Imperfective): Similarly regular conjugation. Present tense shown below:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for моргать/мигать:

• щуриться (to squint - closer to моргать in specific contexts)
• мерцать (to flicker - closer to мигать for lights)

Antonyms:

• уставиться (to stare without blinking)

Related Phrases:

• мигать глазами - to blink one’s eyes (often due to surprise or emotion)
• моргнуть и не заметить - to blink and miss something (used figuratively for missing a moment)
• мигать светом - to flash a light (used for signals or warnings)

Usage Notes:

• While both "моргать" and "мигать" can mean "to blink," "моргать" is more commonly used for a single, natural blink of the eyes, whereas "мигать" often implies repetition or can refer to flashing lights.
• "мигать" is the preferred term when describing mechanical or electronic blinking (e.g., a turn signal or indicator light).
• Neither verb is typically used in formal writing unless describing a specific action; instead, descriptive phrases might be used.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "моргать" for flashing lights. Incorrect: "Свет моргает" (The light blinks). Correct: "Свет мигает."
• Error: Confusing the verbs in idiomatic expressions. For example, saying "моргнуть глазами" instead of "мигать глазами" for emotional blinking. Explanation: "моргнуть" (perfective form of моргать) can be used for a single blink, but "мигать" fits better for repeated emotional actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, blinking is sometimes associated with surprise or disbelief, and the phrase "мигать глазами" (to blink one’s eyes) can imply astonishment or confusion. Additionally, in literature or storytelling, a character’s blinking might be described to emphasize innocence or nervousness.

Related Concepts:

• взгляд (gaze/look)
• глаза (eyes)
• смотреть (to look/watch)