Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Churn'

English Word: Churn

Key Russian Translations:

• взбивать [vzbɨˈvatʲ] - [Formal, Used for physical churning or whipping]
• перемешивать [pʲɪrʲɪmʲɪˈʂɨvatʲ] - [Neutral, Used for mixing or stirring]
• крутить [kruˈtʲitʲ] - [Informal, Often metaphorical for turning or churning]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "взбивать" and "перемешивать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for metaphorical uses of "крутить"

Pronunciation (Russian):

взбивать: [vzbɨˈvatʲ]

Note on взбивать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "вз" cluster can be tricky for non-native speakers; pronounce it as a quick, sharp combination.

перемешивать: [pʲɪrʲɪmʲɪˈʂɨvatʲ]

Note on перемешивать: Stress on the fourth syllable. The soft "р" sound requires a rolled tongue with palatalization.

крутить: [kruˈtʲitʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Churning (e.g., butter or liquids)

Translation(s) & Context:

• взбивать - Used specifically for whipping or churning liquids like cream or butter.
• перемешивать - Used for general mixing or stirring of ingredients.

Usage Examples:

• Она взбивает сливки для торта.

  She is churning cream for the cake.

• Нужно перемешивать суп, чтобы он не пригорел.

  You need to stir the soup so it doesn’t burn.

• Бабушка взбивает масло вручную.

  Grandma churns butter by hand.

2. Metaphorical Churning (e.g., emotions, thoughts, or processes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крутить - Used metaphorically for turning over ideas or feelings in one’s mind.

Usage Examples:

• Он крутит эту мысль в голове уже несколько дней.

  He has been churning this thought in his mind for several days.

• Мои эмоции крутятся, как в водовороте.

  My emotions are churning like a whirlpool.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

взбивать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Person	Conjugation
Я (I)	взбиваю [vzbɨˈvaju]
Ты (You, singular)	взбиваешь [vzbɨˈvajeʂ]
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	взбивает [vzbɨˈvajet]
Мы (We)	взбиваем [vzbɨˈvajem]
Вы (You, plural)	взбиваете [vzbɨˈvajete]
Они (They)	взбивают [vzbɨˈvajut]

перемешивать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows a similar regular conjugation pattern. Perfective form: перемешать.

крутить (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation; often used with reflexive form "крутиться" for metaphorical churning. Perfective form: крутнуть.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for взбивать:

• взбалтывать (more colloquial, often for shaking liquids)
• сбивать (used for whipping or knocking together)

Synonyms for крутить:

• вертеть (similar metaphorical use, slightly more casual)

Antonyms:

• успокаивать (to calm, opposite of emotional churning)

Related Phrases:

• взбивать пену - "to whip up foam" (often used for creating froth or metaphorically stirring up excitement)
• крутить в голове - "to churn in one’s head" (to obsess over a thought or idea)
• перемешивать карты - "to shuffle cards" (literal and metaphorical for mixing things up)

Usage Notes:

• "взбивать" is the most precise translation for the physical act of churning butter or cream, but it’s less common in everyday speech for general mixing.
• "перемешивать" is broader and more neutral, often used in cooking or blending contexts.
• "крутить" is frequently metaphorical and should be chosen when referring to emotional or mental "churning." Be cautious with its informal tone.
• Russian verbs of motion and action often require aspectual distinction (imperfective vs. perfective), so learners should note whether the action is ongoing or completed.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "крутить" for physical churning of butter.
  Incorrect: Я кручу масло. (I churn butter.)
  Correct: Я взбиваю масло. (I churn butter.)
  Explanation: "крутить" implies rotation or turning, not the specific action of churning liquids or solids into butter.
• Error: Ignoring verb aspects.
  Incorrect: Я взбил суп. (I whipped the soup – implies completion with wrong verb.)
  Correct: Я перемешивал суп. (I was stirring the soup.)
  Explanation: Use imperfective verbs like "перемешивать" for ongoing actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the act of "churning butter" (взбивать масло) is historically significant, tied to rural traditions and self-sufficiency. It often evokes imagery of village life or folklore. Metaphorical uses of "крутить" can reflect the Russian tendency to describe emotional turmoil with vivid, dynamic imagery, such as spinning or whirling.

Related Concepts:

• сбивать (to whip or knock together)
• мешать (to mix or stir)
• вертеть (to spin or turn)