Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cheat'

English Word: cheat

Key Russian Translations:

• обманывать [ɐbmɐˈnɨvətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• обмануть [ɐbmɐˈnutʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Perfective]
• жульничать [ʐulʲˈnʲitɕətʲ] - [Colloquial, Verb, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in informal contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "обманывать" and "обмануть"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "жульничать" due to colloquial tone

Pronunciation (Russian):

обманывать: [ɐbmɐˈnɨvətʲ]

Note on обманывать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ы" sound is unique to Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

обмануть: [ɐbmɐˈnutʲ]

Note on обмануть: Stress on the second syllable. This is the perfective form, indicating a completed action.

жульничать: [ʐulʲˈnʲitɕətʲ]

Note on жульничать: The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, and stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To deceive or trick someone

Translation(s) & Context:

• обманывать/обмануть - Used when deceiving someone, often in personal or business contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он обманул меня, пообещав вернуть деньги.

  He cheated me by promising to return the money.

• Не обманывай своих друзей, это плохо.

  Don't cheat your friends, it's wrong.

• Она обманула всех, сказав, что больна.

  She cheated everyone by saying she was sick.

2. To act dishonestly, especially in games or exams

Translation(s) & Context:

• жульничать - Commonly used in the context of cheating in games, sports, or exams.

Usage Examples:

• Он жульничал во время игры в карты.

  He cheated during the card game.

• Ученики жульничали на экзамене, используя шпаргалки.

  The students cheated on the exam using cheat sheets.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обманывать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	обманываю [ɐbmɐˈnɨvəju]
Ты (You, informal)	обманываешь [ɐbmɐˈnɨvəɪʂ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	обманывает [ɐbmɐˈnɨvəɪt]

обмануть (Perfective Verb): Used for completed actions. Conjugates regularly in past and future tenses.

жульничать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation, often used colloquially.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обманывать/обмануть:

• одурачивать
• надувать

Note: "надувать" is more colloquial and often implies trickery for personal gain.

Antonyms for обманывать/обмануть:

• быть честным (to be honest)

Related Phrases:

• обмануть доверие - To betray trust.
• жульничать в игре - To cheat in a game.

Usage Notes:

• "обманывать" (imperfective) is used for ongoing or repeated deception, while "обмануть" (perfective) indicates a single, completed act of cheating.
• "жульничать" is more colloquial and often used in contexts like games or informal competitions. Avoid using it in formal settings.
• Pay attention to verb aspects in Russian, as they significantly affect meaning when translating "cheat."

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "обманывать" when a completed action is meant. For example, saying "Я обманываю его вчера" instead of "Я обманул его вчера." Explanation: Use the perfective "обмануть" for past completed actions.
• Error: Confusing "жульничать" with formal contexts. For example, using it in a business fraud context. Explanation: Reserve "жульничать" for informal or playful cheating.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, cheating, especially in academic or competitive settings, might carry a stronger negative connotation than in some Western contexts. Terms like "жульничать" can imply dishonesty and lack of integrity, so they should be used carefully in sensitive discussions.

Related Concepts:

• ложь (lie)
• мошенничество (fraud)
• нечестность (dishonesty)