Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'brag'

English Word: brag

Key Russian Translations:

• хвастаться [ˈxvastatʲsʲə] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• похваляться [pəxvaˈlʲatʲsʲə] - [Formal/Neutral, Verb, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

хвастаться: [ˈxvastatʲsʲə]

Note on хвастаться: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'х' sound is a voiceless velar fricative, unfamiliar to many English speakers; practice pronouncing it like a strong 'h' from the back of the throat.

похваляться: [pəxvaˈlʲatʲsʲə]

Note on похваляться: Stress on the third syllable. The 'пох-' prefix softens the tone compared to 'хвастаться'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To boast or speak proudly about one's achievements

Translation(s) & Context:

• хвастаться - Commonly used in casual or informal settings to describe boasting.
• похваляться - More neutral or formal, often used in written or polite contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда хвастается своими успехами.

  He always brags about his achievements.

• Она хвасталась новой машиной перед друзьями.

  She was bragging about her new car to her friends.

• В письме он похвалялся своими знаниями.

  In the letter, he bragged about his knowledge.

• Не стоит хвастаться, это выглядит некрасиво.

  You shouldn't brag; it looks unattractive.

• Они похвалялись своим новым домом на вечеринке.

  They bragged about their new house at the party.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

хвастаться (Imperfective Verb): Reflexive verb, conjugated regularly in the imperfective aspect. Often used with instrumental case for what one brags about (e.g., хвастаться успехом - brag about success).

похваляться (Imperfective Verb): Similar reflexive structure, slightly more formal tone. Follows the same conjugation patterns as хвастаться.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• выпендриваться (more colloquial, slightly negative)
• кичиться (formal, often negative connotation)

Antonyms:

• скромничать (to be modest)

Note: 'выпендриваться' is more slangy and often implies showing off in an annoying way, while 'кичиться' carries a sense of arrogance.

Related Phrases:

• хвастаться достижениями - to brag about achievements
• похваляться успехами - to boast about successes (more formal)
• хвастаться направо и налево - to brag to everyone (idiomatic, informal)

Usage Notes:

• 'хвастаться' is more commonly used in everyday speech and can have a slightly negative connotation if overused, implying arrogance.
• 'похваляться' is less frequent in spoken language but appears in formal or literary contexts, often with a neutral tone.
• Both verbs are imperfective, focusing on the ongoing act of bragging. Perfective forms like 'похвастаться' imply a completed act of boasting.
• These verbs often pair with the instrumental case to indicate what is being bragged about (e.g., хвастаться чем-то - to brag about something).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'хвастаться' without the reflexive suffix '-ся' (e.g., *хвастать).
  Explanation: 'хвастать' alone is incorrect in modern Russian; it must always include the reflexive particle '-ся'. Correct: Он хвастается (He brags). Incorrect: *Он хвастает.
• Error: Misusing the case after 'хвастаться' (e.g., *хвастаться успех).
  Explanation: It requires the instrumental case. Correct: хвастаться успехом (brag about success). Incorrect: *хвастаться успех.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, excessive bragging (хвастовство) is often frowned upon, as modesty (скромность) is a valued trait. Boasting might be seen as impolite or arrogant, especially in formal or professional settings. However, subtle or humorous self-praise can be acceptable among close friends.

Related Concepts:

• скромность (modesty)
• гордость (pride)
• самоуверенность (self-confidence)