Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cram'

English Word: cram

Key Russian Translations:

• впихивать [vpʲɪˈxʲivatʲ] - [Informal, Often used for physical cramming]
• заталкивать [zətɐlˈkʲivatʲ] - [Informal, Emphasizes force or effort]
• набивать [nɐˈbʲivatʲ] - [Neutral, Often used for stuffing or packing]
• учиться усиленно [ʊˈtʃitʲsə ʊˈsʲilʲnə] - [Neutral, Specifically for studying hard or cramming for exams]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context; "учиться усиленно" is common among students)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by verb due to conjugation patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

впихивать: [vpʲɪˈxʲivatʲ]

Note on впихивать: Stress on the second syllable; the soft 'х' sound can be tricky for non-native speakers.

заталкивать: [zətɐlˈkʲivatʲ]

набивать: [nɐˈbʲivatʲ]

учиться усиленно: [ʊˈtʃitʲsə ʊˈsʲilʲnə]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To force or stuff something into a small space

Translation(s) & Context:

• впихивать - Used for physically pushing something into a tight space, often with effort (e.g., cramming clothes into a bag).
• заталкивать - Implies more force or struggle, often with a negative connotation (e.g., cramming people into a crowded bus).
• набивать - Neutral term for stuffing or packing tightly (e.g., cramming a suitcase).

Usage Examples:

• Она впихивала одежду в чемодан перед отъездом.

  She was cramming clothes into the suitcase before leaving.

• Пассажиров заталкивали в переполненный автобус.

  Passengers were being crammed into the overcrowded bus.

• Он набивал рюкзак книгами.

  He was cramming his backpack with books.

2. To study intensively in a short time (e.g., for an exam)

Translation(s) & Context:

• учиться усиленно - Specifically refers to cramming for exams or studying hard under time pressure.

Usage Examples:

• Студенты учились усиленно перед экзаменом.

  The students were cramming before the exam.

• Я всю ночь учился усиленно, чтобы сдать тест.

  I crammed all night to pass the test.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

впихивать, заталкивать, набивать: These are imperfective verbs with regular conjugation patterns in Russian. Below is an example conjugation table for впихивать (present tense):

Person	Conjugation
Я (I)	впихиваю
Ты (You, singular informal)	впихиваешь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	впихивает
Мы (We)	впихиваем
Вы (You, plural/formal)	впихиваете
Они (They)	впихивают

учиться усиленно: "учиться" is a reflexive verb conjugated regularly, while "усиленно" (intensively) is an adverb and does not change.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for впихивать/заталкивать/набивать (physical cramming):

• втискивать
• запихивать

Note: "втискивать" often implies squeezing into a very tight space, while "запихивать" is more colloquial.

Synonyms for учиться усиленно (studying):

• зубрить
• готовиться усиленно

Antonyms (for physical cramming):

• вынимать
• доставать

Related Phrases:

• впихивать с трудом - To cram with difficulty (used for physical effort).
• набивать до отказа - To cram to the brim (used for overfilling something).
• учиться усиленно всю ночь - To cram all night (common among students).

Usage Notes:

• The choice between "впихивать", "заталкивать", and "набивать" depends on the context and tone. "впихивать" and "заталкивать" often imply struggle or force, while "набивать" is more neutral.
• For studying, "учиться усиленно" is the standard phrase, though "зубрить" (to memorize by rote) is a more informal alternative often used by younger speakers.
• Be mindful of verb aspects in Russian. The verbs listed are imperfective; perfective forms like "впихнуть" or "затолкать" are used for completed actions.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "учиться усиленно" for physical cramming. This phrase is strictly for studying.

Incorrect: Я учился усиленно вещи в чемодан. (I crammed things into the suitcase intensively.)

Correct: Я впихивал вещи в чемодан. (I crammed things into the suitcase.)

Error 2: Misusing verb aspects by using imperfective verbs for completed actions.

Incorrect: Я впихиваю книгу в сумку. (Intending to say a completed action.)

Correct: Я впихнул книгу в сумку. (I crammed the book into the bag.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian student culture, "зубрить" or "учиться усиленно" often carries a connotation of last-minute preparation before exams, reflecting a common practice among students. It may also imply a somewhat negative view of rote learning as opposed to deep understanding.

Related Concepts:

• зубрёжка (rote learning)
• переполненность (overcrowding)
• теснота (tightness, cramped space)