Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'coddle'

English Word: coddle

Key Russian Translations:

• баловать [bɐˈlovətʲ] - [Informal, Often used for pampering someone]
• нежить [ˈnʲeʐɨtʲ] - [Formal, Literary, Often used for gentle care]
• лелеять [lʲɪˈlʲejətʲ] - [Formal, Poetic, Often used metaphorically]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in familial or caregiving contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "баловать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "нежить" and "лелеять"

Pronunciation (Russian):

баловать: [bɐˈlovətʲ]

Note on баловать: Stress is on the second syllable. The 'о' is pronounced as a reduced 'a' sound in unstressed positions.

нежить: [ˈnʲeʐɨtʲ]

Note on нежить: The 'ж' sound is a soft, voiced fricative, unique to Slavic languages.

лелеять: [lʲɪˈlʲejətʲ]

Note on лелеять: Stress is on the second syllable; the 'е' sounds are soft due to palatalization of preceding consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To treat with excessive care or kindness (often overprotectively)

Translation(s) & Context:

• баловать - Used when someone spoils or pampers another, often a child or loved one, in everyday speech.
• нежить - Used in more formal or literary contexts to imply gentle, loving care.

Usage Examples:

• Она всегда балует своих внуков сладостями.

  She always spoils her grandchildren with sweets.

• Мать нежит своего малыша, боясь его расстроить.

  The mother coddles her baby, afraid to upset him.

• Не стоит слишком баловать детей, это может их испортить.

  You shouldn’t coddle children too much; it might spoil them.

2. To cherish or nurture (often metaphorically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• лелеять - Used in poetic or formal contexts to express cherishing a hope, dream, or idea.

Usage Examples:

• Он лелеял надежду на лучшее будущее.

  He coddled the hope for a better future.

• Она лелеет мечту стать писательницей.

  She nurtures the dream of becoming a writer.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

баловать (verb, imperfective): Regular verb of the 1st conjugation. Used in imperfective aspect to indicate ongoing or habitual action. Perfective form: побаловать.

нежить (verb, imperfective): Regular verb with similar conjugation patterns to "баловать." Perfective form: понежить.

лелеять (verb, imperfective): Regular verb, often used in literary contexts. Perfective form: полелеять (rarely used).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for баловать:

• потакать
• избаловать (perfective, stronger)

Note: "потакать" implies indulgence with a negative connotation, while "избаловать" suggests overindulgence resulting in spoiling.

Antonyms for баловать:

• строго воспитывать
• ограничивать

Related Phrases:

• баловать судьбой - "to be spoiled by fate" (to be lucky or favored by circumstances)
• нежить на руках - "to coddle in one’s arms" (to treat someone with extreme care, often literally carrying them)
• лелеять надежду - "to nurture hope" (to hold onto a hope or dream tenderly)

Usage Notes:

• "баловать" is the most common and versatile translation for "coddle," suitable for everyday contexts, especially when referring to pampering children or loved ones.
• "нежить" is less common and carries a more tender, caring connotation, often used in written or formal speech.
• "лелеять" is primarily metaphorical, used for abstract concepts like hopes or dreams rather than physical care.
• Be mindful of the aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) when using these verbs, as it affects the meaning (ongoing vs. completed action).

Common Errors:

1. Mixing up aspects: English learners often confuse imperfective "баловать" (ongoing pampering) with perfective "побаловать" (a one-time act of pampering). Incorrect: *Я побалую тебя каждый день.* Correct: Я буду баловать тебя каждый день. (I will coddle you every day.)

2. Overusing "лелеять" in casual speech: "лелеять" sounds overly poetic in daily conversation. Incorrect: *Я лелею своего сына.* Correct: Я балую своего сына. (I coddle my son.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "баловать" often carries a dual connotation: while it can be seen as a loving act, excessive pampering (especially of children) is sometimes frowned upon as it may lead to spoiled behavior. This reflects a cultural emphasis on balance between care and discipline in upbringing.

Related Concepts:

• забота (care)
• ласка (affection)
• избалованность (being spoiled)