Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Congratulate'

English Word: Congratulate

Key Russian Translations:

• поздравить [pɐzdrɐˈvʲitʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Perfective]
• поздравлять [pɐzdrɐˈvlʲætʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Imperfective]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

поздравить: [pɐzdrɐˈvʲitʲ]

Note on поздравить: Stress falls on the second syllable. The perfective form often implies a one-time action.

поздравлять: [pɐzdrɐˈvlʲætʲ]

Note on поздравлять: Stress also on the second syllable. The imperfective form suggests a repeated or ongoing action.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To express joy or praise for someone's achievement or good fortune

Translation(s) & Context:

• поздравить - Used for a specific, one-time congratulatory act (e.g., on a specific occasion).
• поздравлять - Used for general or repeated congratulatory expressions.

Usage Examples:

• Я хочу поздравить тебя с днём рождения!

  I want to congratulate you on your birthday!

• Мы поздравляем всех с Новым годом!

  We congratulate everyone on the New Year!

• Он поздравил её с успехом на экзамене.

  He congratulated her on her success in the exam.

• Она всегда поздравляет друзей с праздниками.

  She always congratulates her friends on holidays.

• Поздравляю с новой работой!

  Congratulations on the new job!

Russian Forms/Inflections:

поздравить (Perfective Verb): This verb is perfective and indicates a completed action. Below is the conjugation in the past, present, and future tenses for reference:

поздравлять (Imperfective Verb): This verb is imperfective and indicates an ongoing or repeated action. Conjugation follows a similar pattern but is used differently in context.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• приветствовать (to greet, often in a formal congratulatory sense)
• фелиситировать (rare, very formal congratulation)

Note: "приветствовать" is broader and can mean "to welcome" as well as "to congratulate."

Antonyms:

• осуждать (to condemn)
• критиковать (to criticize)

Related Phrases:

• поздравить с праздником - Congratulate on a holiday.
• поздравить с успехом - Congratulate on success.
• поздравить от души - Congratulate sincerely/from the heart.

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "поздравить" (perfective) and "поздравлять" (imperfective) depends on the aspect of the action. Use "поздравить" for a specific, one-time act of congratulation, and "поздравлять" for habitual or ongoing actions.
• In spoken Russian, "поздравляю" (1st person singular of "поздравлять") is often used as a standalone expression equivalent to "Congratulations!"
• Both verbs typically require the preposition "с" (with) followed by the instrumental case to indicate the reason for congratulations (e.g., "с днём рождения" - on your birthday).

Common Errors:

• Incorrect Aspect Usage: English speakers often mix up "поздравить" and "поздравлять." For example, saying "Я поздравляю тебя вчера" (I congratulate you yesterday) is incorrect because "поздравляю" (imperfective) does not fit with a specific past time like "yesterday." Correct: "Я поздравил тебя вчера."
• Preposition Error: Forgetting the preposition "с" or using the wrong case after it. Incorrect: "Поздравляю день рождения." Correct: "Поздравляю с днём рождения."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, congratulating someone on holidays or personal achievements is very important and often accompanied by gifts, toasts, or cards. Verbal congratulations are frequently followed by wishes for health, happiness, or success, making the act more elaborate than a simple "congratulations" in English.

Related Concepts:

• праздник (holiday)
• успех (success)
• радость (joy)