Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cavil'

English Word: cavil

Key Russian Translations:

• придирка [prʲɪˈdʲi.rkə] - [Noun, Informal, Used in everyday conversations to denote petty criticism]
• придираться [prʲɪˈdʲi.rə.t͡sə] - [Verb, Informal, Used to describe the act of nitpicking or finding fault]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in casual speech but appear in discussions about criticism or debates)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun and verb inflections in Russian, though basic forms are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

придирка: [prʲɪˈdʲi.rkə]

придираться: [prʲɪˈdʲi.rə.t͡sə]

Note on придирка: The stress is on the second syllable ('dʲi'), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronunciation can vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on придираться: This is a reflexive verb, so the '-ся' ending affects pronunciation; ensure the 't͡sə' is soft and fluid. Regional accents may alter the vowel sounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To make petty or unnecessary objections (as a verb in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• придираться - Used in informal settings, such as family arguments or casual critiques, to express ongoing fault-finding.
• придирка - Applied in contexts involving criticism, like product reviews or interpersonal conflicts.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда придирается к мелким деталям в работе. (On vsegda pridirayetsya k melym detalyam v rabote.)

  He always cavils at minor details in the work. (This example shows the verb in a professional context, highlighting habitual behavior.)

• Не стоит придираться к стилю её одежды; это всего лишь её выбор. (Ne stoit pridirayetsya k stilyu yey odezhdy; eto vsego lish yey vybor.)

  Don't cavil at the style of her clothing; it's just her choice. (Illustrates use in social interactions, emphasizing unnecessary criticism.)

• Его придирка к проекту стоила нам лишнего времени. (Yego pridirka k proyektu stoyla nam lishnego vremeni.)

  His cavil with the project cost us extra time. (Demonstrates the noun form in a work-related scenario, showing consequences.)

• Придираясь к каждому слову, она делает обсуждение бессмысленным. (Pridirayas' k kazhdomu slovu, ona delayet obsuzhdeniye bessmyslennym.)

  By caviling at every word, she makes the discussion pointless. (Shows the verb in a debate context, with a reflexive aspect.)

• Придирка в его отзыве была необоснованной. (Pridirka v yego otzyve byla neobosnovannoy.)

  The cavil in his review was unfounded. (Noun usage in evaluative contexts, like reviews or feedback.)

Meaning 2: A trivial objection or criticism (as a noun in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• придирка - Common in informal or semi-formal writing, such as essays or complaints, to refer to specific instances of nitpicking.

Usage Examples:

• Её придирка к цвету мебели была неожиданной. (Yey pridirka k tsvetu mebeli byla neozhidannoy.)

  Her cavil about the furniture color was unexpected. (This highlights the noun in everyday domestic scenarios.)

• Придирка в контракте не стоила внимания. (Pridirka v kontrakte ne stoyla vnimanija.)

  The cavil in the contract wasn't worth attention. (Shows use in legal or business contexts.)

• Каждую придирку нужно анализировать. (Kazhduyu pridirku nuzhno analizirovat'.)

  Every cavil needs to be analyzed. (Demonstrates plural form in a reflective context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For придирка (a feminine noun in the first declension):

For придираться (a reflexive imperfective verb):

It follows standard conjugation patterns for reflexive verbs. Example in present tense:

• Я придираюсь (I cavil)
• Ты придираешься (You [informal singular] cavil)
• Он/Она придирается (He/She cavils)
• Мы придираемся (We cavil)
• Вы придираетесь (You [formal or plural] cavil)
• Они придираются (They cavil)

This verb is irregular in its reflexive form but follows common patterns for -аться verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • привередничать [priverédničat'] - Similar but implies more whining or fussiness.
  • ныть [nyt'] - Used for constant complaining, often in informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • хвалить [xvalit'] - To praise, directly opposite in positive contexts.
  • одобрять [odobrját'] - To approve, contrasting with fault-finding.

Related Phrases:

• Придираться к мелочам (Pridirayetsya k melocham) - To cavil at trifles; used when someone focuses on insignificant details.
• Без придирок (Bez pridirak) - Without cavils; meaning straightforward or without unnecessary objections.
• Придирка из-за ничего (Pridirka iz-za nichego) - A cavil over nothing; implies unfounded criticism in arguments.

Usage Notes:

"Cavil" corresponds closely to "придирка" as a noun and "придираться" as a verb in Russian, but Russian often emphasizes the emotional or relational aspect more than English. Use "придираться" in informal speech to convey ongoing behavior, and reserve "придирка" for specific instances. Be mindful of context: in formal writing, opt for less colloquial alternatives like "критиковать" if the criticism is constructive. Grammatically, reflexive verbs like "придираться" require the "-ся" particle, which English learners might forget.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "придирка" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я придирка" instead of "Я придираюсь". Correct: "Я придираюсь к чему-то". Explanation: "Придирка" is a noun, not a verb, so learners must conjugate properly for actions.

• Error: Omitting the reflexive particle, e.g., saying "придирать" instead of "придираться". Correct: "придираться". Explanation: This changes the meaning entirely, as "придирать" isn't standard Russian.

• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the wrong syllable in "придирка". Correct: Emphasize the second syllable. Explanation: Incorrect stress can make the word sound unnatural or lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "придирка" or "придираться" often reflects a societal value of directness in criticism, as seen in literature like Chekhov's works, where characters engage in petty disputes to highlight human flaws. This can stem from historical contexts where thorough scrutiny was necessary in communal or bureaucratic settings, making such words common in everyday Russian discourse.

Related Concepts:

• критика [kritika] - Criticism
• привередливость [priverédlivost'] - Fussiness
• спор [spor] - Argument