Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chug'

English Word: chug

Key Russian Translations:

• хлебать [xlʲɪˈbatʲ] - [Informal, often used for quick, gulping actions]
• глотать [ɡlɐˈtatʲ] - [Neutral, more general swallowing]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in informal or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and informal expressions, varying slightly by translation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хлебать: [xlʲɪˈbatʲ]

глотать: [ɡlɐˈtatʲ]

Note on хлебать: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a rough 'h' in "loch". Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To drink something quickly and in large gulps (e.g., chugging a drink).

Translation(s) & Context:

• хлебать - Used in informal settings, such as parties or casual descriptions of eating/drinking hastily.
• глотать - Applied in more neutral contexts, like describing rapid consumption without emphasis on informality.

Usage Examples:

• Он хлебал пиво из бутылки, не отрываясь от экрана. (He was chugging beer from the bottle without taking his eyes off the screen.)

  English Translation: He was chugging beer from the bottle without taking his eyes off the screen.

• Дети хлебали сок прямо из пакета во время пикника. (The kids were chugging juice straight from the carton during the picnic.)

  English Translation: The kids were chugging juice straight from the carton during the picnic.

• Она глотала воду большими глотками после пробежки. (She was chugging water in big gulps after her run.)

  English Translation: She was chugging water in big gulps after her run.

• В жару люди хлебали газировку, чтобы быстро утолить жажду. (In the heat, people were chugging soda to quench their thirst quickly.)

  English Translation: In the heat, people were chugging soda to quench their thirst quickly.

• Он глотал кофе на ходу, чтобы не опоздать на встречу. (He was chugging coffee on the go to not be late for the meeting.)

  English Translation: He was chugging coffee on the go to not be late for the meeting.

As a noun, the sound of an engine or rhythmic noise (e.g., the chug of a train).

Translation(s) & Context:

• тарахтеть (as a verb form) - Used for describing mechanical sounds in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Тарахтение старого поезда разбудило всех в вагоне. (The chug of the old train woke everyone in the carriage.)

  English Translation: The chug of the old train woke everyone in the carriage.

• В тишине ночи было слышно тарахтение мотора. (In the silence of the night, the chug of the engine could be heard.)

  English Translation: In the silence of the night, the chug of the engine could be heard.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the verb "хлебать" (imperfective), it follows standard first-conjugation patterns in Russian. It is irregular in some aspects due to phonetic changes. Below is a table of its key inflections:

For "глотать", it is a regular verb with standard inflections and does not have significant irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • пить (pit') - More general, neutral drinking.
  • захлебываться (zaxlɛbəvatʲsə) - Implies overconsumption or enthusiasm.
• Antonyms:
  • пить медленно (pit' mɛd lɛn nə) - To drink slowly.
  • отказываться (ɒt kɐˈzəvatʲsə) - To refuse or abstain.

Related Phrases:

• Хлебать как рыба (Hlebat' kak ryba) - To drink excessively, like a fish; implies rapid and uncontrolled consumption.
• Глотать воздух (Glotat' vozdukh) - To gulp air; used metaphorically for catching breath after exertion.

Usage Notes:

"Chug" as a verb aligns closely with "хлебать" in informal contexts, but "глотать" is a safer, more neutral choice in everyday Russian. Be mindful of the aspect: Russian verbs have perfective and imperfective forms, so pair with perfectives like "выпить" for completed actions. In formal writing, avoid "хлебать" due to its colloquial tone. When choosing between translations, use "хлебать" for vivid, informal descriptions and "глотать" for broader applications.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "хлебать" in formal contexts, e.g., saying "Он хлебал воду на ужине" instead of "Он пил воду на ужине". Correct: "Он пил воду на ужине" – Explanation: "Хлебать" sounds too casual and may imply rudeness in polite settings.
• Mistake: Confusing inflections, e.g., using "хлебает" incorrectly in past tense. Correct: Use "хлебал" for past imperfective; Explanation: Russian verbs require precise tense and aspect agreement to convey ongoing vs. completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, actions like "chugging" drinks are often associated with social gatherings or informal events, such as festivals or family picnics. However, excessive drinking has historical ties to Russian traditions, so phrases like "хлебать" can carry subtle connotations of indulgence, reflecting cultural attitudes toward hospitality and leisure.

Related Concepts:

• пить
• глоток
• тарахтение