Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dare'

English Word: dare

Key Russian Translations:

• осмеливаться [ɐsmʲɪˈlʲivətʲsə] - [Formal, Verb, Imperfective]
• посметь [pɐˈsmʲetʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Perfective]
• дерзать [dʲɪrˈzatʲ] - [Literary, Archaic, Verb, Imperfective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in specific contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by translation - "осмеливаться" B1, "дерзать" B2 due to archaic tone)

Pronunciation (Russian):

осмеливаться: [ɐsmʲɪˈlʲivətʲsə]

Note on осмеливаться: Stress falls on the third syllable. The "и" is pronounced as a short "i".

посметь: [pɐˈsmʲetʲ]

Note on посметь: Stress on the second syllable. The "е" sounds like "ye" after a soft consonant.

дерзать: [dʲɪrˈzatʲ]

Note on дерзать: Stress on the second syllable. Often used in elevated or historical contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To have the courage to do something (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• осмеливаться - Used in formal or cautious contexts to express taking a risk or showing boldness.
• посметь - Common in neutral contexts, often with a sense of defiance or challenge.

Usage Examples:

• Он не осмелился возразить учителю.

  He didn’t dare to contradict the teacher.

• Как ты посмел так говорить со мной?

  How dare you speak to me like that?

• Она осмелилась попросить повышения.

  She dared to ask for a raise.

2. To challenge someone (Verb, often as a noun "a dare")

Translation(s) & Context:

• посметь - Used when implying a challenge or provocation.

Usage Examples:

• Ты посмеешь прыгнуть с этой высоты?

  Do you dare to jump from this height?

• Это был вызов, и он посмел его принять.

  It was a dare, and he dared to accept it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

осмеливаться (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation in the imperfective aspect. Used for ongoing or repeated actions.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)
1st Singular (I)	осмеливаюсь	осмеливался / осмеливалась / осмеливалось
3rd Singular (He/She/It)	осмеливается	осмеливался / осмеливалась / осмеливалось
3rd Plural (They)	осмеливаются	осмеливались

посметь (Perfective Verb): Regular conjugation in the perfective aspect. Used for completed actions.

Person	Future Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)
1st Singular (I)	посмею	посмел / посмела / посмело
3rd Singular (He/She/It)	посмеет	посмел / посмела / посмело
3rd Plural (They)	посмеют	посмели

дерзать (Imperfective Verb): Less common, archaic tone, follows regular conjugation patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• решаться (to venture, often in a decisive sense)
• отваживаться (to take the risk, formal)

Note: "решаться" often implies a decision-making process, while "осмеливаться" focuses on overcoming hesitation.

Antonyms:

• бояться (to be afraid)
• колебаться (to hesitate)

Related Phrases:

• осмелиться на что-то - To dare to do something (often a significant or risky action).
• как ты посмел? - How dare you? (used in confrontational contexts).
• дерзать в мечтах - To dare in dreams (literary, meaning to aspire boldly).

Usage Notes:

• "осмеливаться" is more formal and often used when someone overcomes internal hesitation or fear to act.
• "посметь" carries a tone of defiance or boldness and is frequently used in direct challenges or rhetorical questions like "How dare you?".
• "дерзать" is rarely used in modern Russian, mostly appearing in literature or historical contexts with a poetic or elevated tone.
• Aspect matters: "осмеливаться" (imperfective) is for ongoing or repeated daring, while "посметь" (perfective) is for a single, completed act of daring.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "осмеливаться" in a confrontational context. Incorrect: "Как ты осмелился?" (sounds overly formal or awkward).
  Correct: Use "посметь" instead: "Как ты посмел?"
• Error: Ignoring aspectual differences, e.g., using "посметь" for an ongoing action. Incorrect: "Я посмею каждый день."
  Correct: Use "осмеливаться": "Я осмеливаюсь каждый день."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, daring or boldness (as expressed by "посметь") can sometimes carry a negative connotation if it implies disrespect or overstepping boundaries, especially in hierarchical or formal settings. For example, saying "Как ты посмел?" to an elder or superior is a strong reprimand.

Related Concepts:

• смелость (bravery)
• отвага (courage)
• вызов (challenge)