Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'braggart'

English Word: braggart

Key Russian Translations:

• хвастун [xvaˈstun] - [Informal, Masculine noun, Used in everyday conversations to describe someone who boasts excessively]
• самохвал [sɐˈmoxval] - [Formal, Less common, Used in literary or descriptive contexts to emphasize self-praise]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants appear regularly in Russian literature, media, and casual speech, but are not among the most everyday terms.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should grasp the concept after basic noun declensions are understood. For 'хвастун', it's straightforward; for 'самохвал', slight variations may increase difficulty to B2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хвастун: [xvaˈstun] (The 'x' sound is a guttural fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress on the second syllable.)

Note on хвастун: Be cautious with the 'х' sound, as it's a common challenge for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

самохвал: [sɐˈmoxval] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'x' sound is the same as in 'хвастун'.)

Note on самохвал: This word may have slight regional variations in pronunciation, such as in vowel length in informal Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: A person who boasts or brags excessively about their achievements.

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'хвастун' - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations or storytelling, to humorously or critically describe someone's arrogant behavior.
• 'самохвал' - Employed in more formal or written contexts, like essays or critiques, to denote self-aggrandizement with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он такой хвастун, что всегда рассказывает о своих путешествиях, даже если никто не спрашивает.

  He is such a braggart that he always talks about his travels, even if no one asks.

• Мой сосед – типичный самохвал, хвастается своей новой машиной на каждой вечеринке.

  My neighbor is a typical braggart, boasting about his new car at every party.

• В школе был один хвастун, который преувеличивал свои оценки, чтобы impress друзей.

  In school, there was one braggart who exaggerated his grades to impress his friends.

• Самохвал вроде него редко добивается успеха, потому что люди устают от постоянных хвастаний.

  A self-braggart like him rarely achieves success because people get tired of the constant boasting.

• Она не хвастун, но иногда её истории звучат как самохвальство.

  She isn't a braggart, but sometimes her stories sound like self-boasting.

Secondary Meaning: In a broader sense, referring to boastful behavior rather than a person.

Translation(s) & Context:

• 'хвастун' - Can be used metaphorically in informal speech to describe actions or habits.

Usage Examples:

• Его хвастунство выходит из-под контроля, когда он начинает преувеличивать свои навыки.

  His braggart behavior gets out of control when he starts exaggerating his skills.

• В этой компании полно самохвалов, которые только и делают, что хвастаются.

  In this company, there are plenty of braggarts who do nothing but boast.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'хвастун' is a masculine noun (1st declension). It follows standard Russian noun patterns with regular inflections for cases and numbers. Below is a table of its declensions:

'самохвал' is also a masculine noun with similar regular inflections, but it is less commonly inflected in modern usage and often remains unchanged in fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хвастунишка (A diminutive form, implying a less serious or playful braggart; often used affectionately.)
  • бахвал (Similar to 'braggart', but with a more archaic or literary tone.)
• Antonyms:
  • скромный (Modest; used to describe someone who avoids boasting.)
  • бесхвастливый (Unboastful; a direct opposite in behavior.)

Related Phrases:

• Хвастаться направо и налево (To brag left and right; a common idiom meaning to boast excessively in all directions.) - Used to describe someone who shares their achievements indiscriminately.
• Быть хвастуном (To be a braggart; a straightforward phrase for habitual boasting.) - Often in self-reflection or criticism.
• Самохвальство без границ (Self-boasting without limits; implies extreme arrogance.) - Applied in formal or psychological contexts.

Usage Notes:

Both 'хвастун' and 'самохвал' directly correspond to 'braggart' in English, but 'хвастун' is more colloquial and versatile for everyday use, while 'самохвал' carries a formal, sometimes pejorative tone. In Russian, these words are often used in negative contexts to criticize excessive pride. Pay attention to gender agreement in sentences, as they are masculine nouns. When choosing between translations, opt for 'хвастун' in informal speech and 'самохвал' in written or literary settings. Grammatically, ensure proper declension based on sentence structure to avoid errors.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'хвастун' with 'хвастаться' (a verb meaning 'to boast'). Incorrect: "Он хвастун вчера" (wrong, as it should be inflected). Correct: "Он был хвастуном вчера." Explanation: 'Хвастун' is a noun, so it needs proper case endings; learners often misuse it as a verb form.
• Overusing in formal contexts. Incorrect: Using 'хвастун' in a professional essay. Correct: Opt for 'самохвал' for a more elevated tone. Explanation: This can make writing seem too casual; always consider the register.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being a 'хвастун' is often viewed negatively, as it contrasts with the valued trait of modesty ('скромность'). Historically, in Soviet and post-Soviet literature, characters like this appear as comic figures, reflecting societal norms against overt self-promotion, which can be traced back to traditional Russian values emphasizing collective humility over individual pride.

Related Concepts:

• гордый (Proud)
• самоуверенный (Self-confident)
• хвастовство (Boasting)