Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Crawl'

English Word: Crawl

Key Russian Translations:

• ползать [ˈpolzətʲ] - [Informal, General Use]
• ползти [ˈpolztʲi] - [Formal, Often Used in Specific Contexts]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ползать: [ˈpolzətʲ]

Note on ползать: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'a' sound is reduced in unstressed positions.

ползти: [ˈpolztʲi]

Note on ползти: Similar stress pattern as ползать, with a clear 'i' sound at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To move slowly on hands and knees (literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ползать - Used for general crawling, often by babies or animals.
• ползти - Used for directional movement, often implying effort or slowness.

Usage Examples:

• Ребёнок начал ползать по полу.

  The child started crawling on the floor.

• Змея ползёт по земле.

  The snake is crawling on the ground.

• Он полз по грязи, чтобы спрятаться.

  He crawled through the mud to hide.

• Мы ползли вверх по крутому склону.

  We crawled up the steep slope.

• Время ползёт так медленно сегодня.

  Time is crawling so slowly today.

2. To move or progress very slowly (figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ползти - Often used metaphorically for slow progress or time passing.

Usage Examples:

• Проект ползёт без видимого прогресса.

  The project is crawling with no visible progress.

• Часы ползут, когда я жду.

  The hours crawl by when I’m waiting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ползать (Imperfective Verb): This verb denotes a repetitive or ongoing action of crawling. It follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать.

ползти (Imperfective Verb): This verb implies directional movement and is also regular in conjugation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ползать/ползти:

• пресмыкаться (more figurative, often negative connotation of groveling)
• тащиться (informal, slow dragging movement)

Note: "пресмыкаться" often carries a negative or submissive tone compared to "ползать."

Antonyms for ползать/ползти:

• бежать (to run)
• лететь (to fly)

Related Phrases:

• ползти как черепаха - Crawl like a turtle (to move extremely slowly).
• ползать на коленях - Crawl on knees (literal or figurative, to beg or plead).
• время ползёт - Time crawls (time passes very slowly).

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between ползать and ползти: Use "ползать" for general or repetitive crawling without a specific direction (e.g., a baby crawling around). Use "ползти" when implying movement toward a goal or in a specific direction (e.g., crawling up a hill).
• Aspectual Difference: Both verbs are imperfective, but "ползти" often pairs with perfective "проползти" for completed actions, while "ползать" pairs with "поползать" for a short duration of repetitive action.
• Register: Both terms are neutral and can be used in formal or informal contexts, though "ползти" may sound slightly more literary.

Common Errors:

• Mixing ползать and ползти: English speakers often confuse the two due to their similar meanings. For example, saying "Я ползаю на гору" (I crawl on the mountain) is incorrect; it should be "Я ползу на гору" because it implies direction. Use "ползать" only for non-directional movement.
• Incorrect Conjugation: Beginners may forget the irregular present tense forms of "ползти" (e.g., "ползу" for "I crawl"). Avoid using the pattern of "ползать" for "ползти."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the imagery of crawling (especially in phrases like "ползать на коленях") can carry strong connotations of humility, submission, or desperation. Such expressions are often used in literature or speech to emphasize emotional states or social dynamics.

Related Concepts:

• ходить (to walk)
• бежать (to run)
• движение (movement)