Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Conceal'

English Word: Conceal

Key Russian Translations:

• скрывать [ˈskrɨvətʲ] - [Formal, Informal]
• утаивать [ʊtɐˈivətʲ] - [Formal, Often used for withholding information]
• прятать [ˈprʲætətʲ] - [Informal, Often used for physical hiding]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "скрывать" and "прятать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "утаивать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

скрывать: [ˈskrɨvətʲ]

Note on скрывать: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ы" sound is unique to Russian and does not exist in English; it is a vowel pronounced between "i" and "u".

утаивать: [ʊtɐˈivətʲ]

Note on утаивать: Stress on the second syllable. The soft "т" sound requires a slight palatalization.

прятать: [ˈprʲætətʲ]

Note on прятать: Stress on the first syllable. The "р" is rolled, and "я" is a soft vowel sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To hide something physically

Translation(s) & Context:

• прятать - Used when hiding objects or people in a physical sense (e.g., under a bed, behind a door).

Usage Examples:

• Я прячу подарок под кроватью.

  I am hiding the gift under the bed.

• Она прячет свои игрушки в шкафу.

  She hides her toys in the closet.

• Мы прячемся от дождя в кафе.

  We are hiding from the rain in a café.

2. To keep something secret (information, feelings)

Translation(s) & Context:

• скрывать - General term for concealing information, emotions, or intentions.
• утаивать - More specific to withholding or suppressing information, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Он скрывает свои истинные чувства.

  He conceals his true feelings.

• Она не может скрывать свою радость.

  She can't conceal her joy.

• Почему ты утаиваешь правду?

  Why are you concealing the truth?

• Они утаивают важные детали от нас.

  They are concealing important details from us.

• Скрывать свои намерения иногда необходимо.

  Concealing one's intentions is sometimes necessary.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs and follow regular conjugation patterns for imperfective verbs in Russian. Below is the conjugation table for "скрывать" (to conceal) as an example:

Note: "утаивать" and "прятать" follow similar conjugation patterns as Type 1 verbs. Perfective forms like "скрыть", "утаить", and "спрятать" exist for completed actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "скрывать":

• утаивать
• замалчивать (to hush up)
• маскировать (to mask)

Note: "замалчивать" often implies deliberate silence on an issue, while "маскировать" can refer to disguising something.

Antonyms for "скрывать":

• раскрывать (to reveal)
• обнаруживать (to uncover)

Related Phrases:

• скрывать правду - To conceal the truth.
• прятать лицо - To hide one's face (literally or figuratively, e.g., from shame).
• утаивать доходы - To conceal income (often in a legal or tax context).

Usage Notes:

• "скрывать" is the most versatile and commonly used term for "conceal" in Russian, applicable to both tangible and intangible things (e.g., objects, emotions, information).
• "утаивать" often carries a negative connotation, implying deceit or withholding critical information.
• "прятать" is mostly used for physical concealment and can also be reflexive ("прятаться" - to hide oneself).
• When choosing between these verbs, consider the context: physical hiding often calls for "прятать", while abstract or secretive contexts suit "скрывать" or "утаивать".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "прятать" for abstract concepts like emotions or secrets. Incorrect: "Я прячу свои чувства." Correct: "Я скрываю свои чувства." (I conceal my feelings.) Explanation: "прятать" is primarily for physical objects.
• Error: Misusing "утаивать" in neutral contexts. Incorrect: "Он утаивает свои планы." Correct: "Он скрывает свои планы." (He conceals his plans.) Explanation: "утаивать" often implies intentional deceit, so use "скрывать" for neutral or ambiguous contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concealing emotions or intentions ("скрывать") is sometimes seen as a sign of restraint or tact, especially in formal or unfamiliar settings. However, "утаивать" (withholding information) can be viewed negatively, as honesty and directness are often valued in close relationships.

Related Concepts:

• тайна (secret)
• маскировка (disguise)
• сокрытие (concealment, formal)