Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Covet'

English Word: Covet

Key Russian Translations:

• желать [ʐɨˈlatʲ] - [Neutral, General Use]
• жаждать [ˈʐaʐdətʲ] - [Intense, Often Emotional or Figurative]
• завидовать [zəvʲɪˈdovatʲ] - [With Envy, Informal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "желать" and "жаждать"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "завидовать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

желать: [ʐɨˈlatʲ]

Note on желать: The stress is on the second syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

жаждать: [ˈʐaʐdətʲ]

Note on жаждать: Stress on the first syllable. Pay attention to the soft "тʲ" sound at the end.

завидовать: [zəvʲɪˈdovatʲ]

Note on завидовать: Stress on the third syllable. The "вʲ" is palatalized, a common feature in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To Desire Something Strongly (General Desire)

Translation(s) & Context:

• желать - Used for a general or neutral desire for something, often without negative connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Я желаю иметь такой дом.

  I wish to have a house like that.

• Он желает успеха в этом деле.

  He desires success in this matter.

• Мы желаем лучшего для наших детей.

  We desire the best for our children.

2. To Crave Intensely (Emotional or Figurative Desire)

Translation(s) & Context:

• жаждать - Implies a stronger, often emotional longing or craving, sometimes used metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• Она жаждет свободы.

  She craves freedom.

• Он жаждет мести после предательства.

  He covets revenge after the betrayal.

• Мы жаждем новых впечатлений.

  We long for new experiences.

3. To Envy or Covet with Jealousy (Negative Connotation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• завидовать - Specifically implies envy or jealousy, often with a negative tone.

Usage Examples:

• Она завидует его успеху.

  She envies his success.

• Не завидуй чужому счастью.

  Don’t covet other people’s happiness.

• Он всегда завидует тем, кто богаче.

  He always covets those who are wealthier.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

желать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation in the first conjugation group. Below is the present tense conjugation:

Person	Singular	Plural
1st	желаю	желаем
2nd	желаешь	желаете
3rd	желает	желают

жаждать (Verb, Imperfective): Also follows regular first conjugation rules. Similar structure to "желать."

завидовать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular second conjugation verb. Requires dative case for the object of envy.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for желать:

• хотеть
• стремиться

Note: "хотеть" is more neutral and common, while "стремиться" implies striving toward a goal.

Antonyms for желать:

• отказываться
• избегать

Related Phrases:

• желать добра - To wish well (used to express goodwill).
• жаждать крови - To thirst for blood (figurative, intense desire for revenge).
• завидовать по-чёрному - To envy bitterly (informal, strong negative emotion).

Usage Notes:

• "желать" is the safest and most neutral choice for translating "covet" when the context is a simple desire or wish.
• "жаждать" should be used when there is an intense, almost desperate longing, often in literary or emotional contexts.
• "завидовать" specifically conveys envy and should only be used when there is a clear element of jealousy or resentment.
• Note that "завидовать" requires the dative case for the object of envy, a common grammatical pitfall for learners.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "завидовать" without the dative case. Incorrect: *Я завидую его машина.* Correct: Я завидую его машине. (I envy his car.)
• Error: Confusing "желать" and "жаждать" in neutral contexts. Incorrect: *Я жаждю чашку чая.* Correct: Я желаю чашку чая. (I would like a cup of tea.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, openly expressing envy ("завидовать") can be seen as impolite or negative. Instead, phrases like "желать" are often used to express admiration or aspiration without the negative connotation of jealousy.

Related Concepts:

• ревность (jealousy)
• желание (desire)
• мечта (dream)