Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Conspire'

English Word: Conspire

Key Russian Translations:

• сговариваться [sgɐvɐˈrʲivətʲsə] - [Informal, Often used for secret agreements]
• заговаривать [zəgɐˈvarʲivətʲ] - [Formal, Often used in context of plotting]
• составлять заговор [sɐstɐˈvlʲætʲ zɐˈgovɐr] - [Formal, Literal for "to form a conspiracy"]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "сговариваться" and "заговаривать"; C1 (Advanced) for "составлять заговор"

Pronunciation (Russian):

сговариваться: [sgɐvɐˈrʲivətʲsə]

Note on сговариваться: Stress falls on the third syllable; the reflexive ending "-ся" is pronounced softly.

заговаривать: [zəgɐˈvarʲivətʲ]

Note on заговоривать: Stress on the third syllable; the prefix "за-" may be slightly reduced in rapid speech.

составлять заговор: [sɐstɐˈvlʲætʲ zɐˈgovɐr]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To secretly plan something harmful or illegal (Primary Meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• сговариваться - Often used for informal or secretive agreements among individuals.
• заговаривать - More formal, used in contexts of plotting or scheming with intent.
• составлять заговор - Explicitly refers to forming a conspiracy, often in legal or political contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Они сговорились обмануть учителя.

  They conspired to deceive the teacher.

• Группа заговорила о свержении власти.

  The group conspired to overthrow the government.

• Они составили заговор против лидера.

  They formed a conspiracy against the leader.

• Мы не должны сговариваться за спиной других.

  We shouldn’t conspire behind others’ backs.

• Историки утверждают, что заговор был составлен втайне.

  Historians claim the conspiracy was formed in secret.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сговариваться (Imperfective Verb, Reflexive): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for reflexive verbs in the imperfective aspect. Below is the present tense conjugation:

заговаривать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation for imperfective verbs. Often paired with perfective "заговорить".

составлять заговор: The verb "составлять" (to form/compose) is imperfective and regular; "заговор" (conspiracy) is a masculine noun with standard declension (e.g., Genitive: заговора).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• договариваться (to come to an agreement, less secretive)
• строить планы (to make plans, often neutral)

Antonyms:

• сотрудничать (to collaborate openly)
• раскрывать (to reveal/disclose)

Related Phrases:

• сговариваться за спиной - to conspire behind someone’s back
• составить тайный заговор - to form a secret conspiracy
• заговаривать о планах - to conspire about plans

Usage Notes:

• "сговариваться" is the most colloquial of the translations and often implies a secretive or informal agreement. Use it in casual contexts.
• "заговаривать" carries a slightly more formal tone and is often used in literary or serious discussions of plotting.
• "составлять заговор" is the most explicit and formal, directly referring to the act of forming a conspiracy, often in historical or legal contexts.
• Be mindful of aspect: "сговариваться" and "заговаривать" are imperfective (ongoing action), while their perfective counterparts (e.g., "сговориться") imply a completed action.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "договариваться" instead of "сговариваться" when secrecy is implied. "Договариваться" is more neutral and lacks the secretive connotation.
  Incorrect: Они договорились обмануть учителя. (They agreed to deceive the teacher - lacks secrecy nuance)
  Correct: Они сговорились обмануть учителя. (They conspired to deceive the teacher)
• Error: Misusing aspects by using perfective forms in ongoing contexts.
  Incorrect: Они сговорились каждый день. (They conspired every day - incorrect aspect)
  Correct: Они сговариваются каждый день. (They conspire every day)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of conspiracy ("заговор") often carries historical weight, referencing political intrigues or secret plots, especially in the context of Soviet history or Tsarist coups. The term "заговор" may evoke strong imagery of betrayal or underground movements.

Related Concepts:

• предательство (betrayal)
• тайна (secret)
• интрига (intrigue)