Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Converse'

English Word: converse

Key Russian Translations:

• разговаривать [rɐzɡɐˈvarʲɪvətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective]
• беседовать [bʲɪˈsʲedəvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

разговаривать: [rɐzɡɐˈvarʲɪvətʲ]

Note on разговаривать: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

беседовать: [bʲɪˈsʲedəvətʲ]

Note on беседовать: Stress on the second syllable. The soft "б" sound requires palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To talk or engage in conversation (verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• разговаривать - Used in casual, everyday conversations.
• беседовать - Used in more formal or intellectual discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Мы разговаривали о погоде.

  We were talking about the weather.

• Он любит разговаривать по телефону.

  He likes to talk on the phone.

• Учителя беседовали о литературе.

  The teachers were conversing about literature.

• Мы беседовали с директором о проекте.

  We conversed with the director about the project.

• Они долго разговаривали на улице.

  They talked for a long time on the street.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

разговаривать (Imperfective Verb): Follows regular conjugation for verbs ending in -ать. Below is the present tense conjugation:

беседовать (Imperfective Verb): Also follows regular conjugation for verbs ending in -овать. Present tense conjugation is similar in structure to above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• говорить (to speak - more general)
• общаться (to communicate - broader context)

Note: "говорить" is more general and can be used in most contexts, while "общаться" often implies mutual interaction.

Antonyms:

• молчать (to be silent)

Related Phrases:

• разговаривать по душам - to have a heart-to-heart talk.
• беседовать наедине - to converse in private.
• разговаривать на повышенных тонах - to talk in a raised voice (argue).

Usage Notes:

• "разговаривать" is the go-to choice for informal, everyday conversations, while "беседовать" is more appropriate for formal or serious discussions.
• Both verbs are imperfective, meaning they describe ongoing or habitual actions. For completed conversations, perfective forms like "поговорить" (from "разговаривать") or "побеседовать" (from "беседовать") are used.
• Pay attention to prepositions: "разговаривать с кем-то" (to talk with someone) vs. "разговаривать о чём-то" (to talk about something).

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "беседовать" in casual settings. Example: *Я беседую с друзьями каждый день.* (Incorrect, sounds overly formal). Correct: Я разговариваю с друзьями каждый день.
• Error: Omitting prepositions with "разговаривать". Example: *Я разговариваю друзья.* (Incorrect). Correct: Я разговариваю с друзьями.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, conversations often play a significant role in building relationships. Using "беседовать" in formal settings shows respect, especially when speaking with elders or in professional environments. Long, meaningful conversations ("разговоры по душам") are a cherished tradition in Russian social life.

Related Concepts:

• диалог (dialogue)
• общение (communication)
• разговор (conversation)