Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'caress'

English Word: caress

Key Russian Translations:

• ласкать [ˈlaskətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used in affectionate contexts]
• гладить [ˈɡladʲɪtʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Often used for physical touch like stroking]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

ласкать: [ˈlaskətʲ]

Note on ласкать: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'л' is soft, which might be challenging for non-native speakers.

гладить: [ˈɡladʲɪtʲ]

Note on гладить: Stress on the first syllable. The 'д' is palatalized, pronounced with a 'y' glide.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To touch or stroke gently in a loving or affectionate manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• ласкать - Used primarily in emotional or intimate contexts to express affection.
• гладить - Often refers to the physical act of stroking, such as petting an animal or a child’s hair.

Usage Examples:

• Она ласкала ребёнка, чтобы успокоить его.

  She caressed the child to calm him down.

• Он гладил кошку, пока она не заснула.

  He caressed the cat until it fell asleep.

• Её слова ласкали моё сердце.

  Her words caressed my heart.

• Мама гладила меня по голове, когда я был маленьким.

  Mom used to caress my head when I was little.

• Ветер ласкал листья деревьев.

  The wind caressed the leaves of the trees.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ласкать (Verb, Imperfective): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs in Russian. It is imperfective, meaning it emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action. Perfective form: приласкать.

гладить (Verb, Imperfective): Another first-conjugation verb, imperfective. Perfective form: погладить.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ласкать:

• нежить
• миловать

Note: "нежить" is more poetic, while "миловать" is archaic or regional.

Synonyms for гладить:

• поглаживать

Antonyms:

• бить (to hit)
• толкать (to push)

Related Phrases:

• ласкать слух - to please the ear (used metaphorically for pleasant sounds or words)
• гладить по шерсти - to stroke the right way (literal or figurative, meaning to please someone)
• гладить против шерсти - to rub the wrong way (literal or figurative, meaning to annoy someone)

Usage Notes:

• "ласкать" often carries a more emotional or affectionate connotation compared to "гладить," which focuses on the physical act of stroking.
• Use "ласкать" in metaphorical contexts (e.g., "ласкать слух" - to please the ear) and "гладить" for literal touch (e.g., petting an animal).
• Be aware of the aspectual pair (imperfective/perfective) when using these verbs. "ласкать/приласкать" and "гладить/погладить" change the nuance of the action’s completion.

Common Errors:

• Mixing "ласкать" and "гладить": English speakers might use "ласкать" for physical touch without emotional context. Incorrect: "Я ласкал собаку" (sounds overly intimate). Correct: "Я гладил собаку" (I stroked the dog).
• Ignoring aspect: Failing to use the perfective form when the action is completed. Incorrect: "Я гладил кошку один раз." Correct: "Я погладил кошку один раз." (I stroked the cat once).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, physical expressions of affection like caressing are often more reserved in public compared to some Western cultures. Using terms like "ласкать" in speech might sound overly sentimental or intimate if not used appropriately. Russians may use "гладить" more frequently for casual descriptions of touch, such as with pets or children.

Related Concepts:

• нежность (tenderness)
• любовь (love)
• прикосновение (touch)