Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Daunt'

English Word: daunt

Key Russian Translations:

• запугивать [zəpʊˈɡʲivətʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• обескураживать [əbʲɪskʊˈraʐɨvətʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• пугать [pʊˈɡatʲ] - [Informal, Verb]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "запугивать" and "обескураживать"; B1 (Beginner-Intermediate) for "пугать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

запугивать: [zəpʊˈɡʲivətʲ]

Note on запугивать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ги" combination is pronounced softly as [ɡʲi].

обескураживать: [əbʲɪskʊˈraʐɨvətʲ]

Note on обескураживать: Stress is on the fourth syllable. The "ж" sound is a retroflex fricative, unique to Russian.

пугать: [pʊˈɡatʲ]

Note on пугать: Stress is on the second syllable. Simple and commonly used verb.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To discourage or intimidate someone

Translation(s) & Context:

• запугивать - Often used in formal or serious contexts, implying a deliberate act of intimidation.
• обескураживать - Focuses on disheartening or causing someone to lose confidence, often emotionally.

Usage Examples:

• Его угрозы не смогли запугивать нас.

  His threats could not daunt us.

• Неудачи не должны обескураживать тебя.

  Failures should not daunt you.

• Её строгий взгляд может запугивать новичков.

  Her stern look can daunt newcomers.

2. To scare or frighten in a general sense

Translation(s) & Context:

• пугать - More informal and general, used for scaring or frightening in everyday contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Темнота всегда пугала её.

  The darkness always daunted her.

• Не пытайся пугать меня своими историями.

  Don’t try to daunt me with your stories.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

запугивать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present Tense	Past Tense (M/F/N)	Future Tense
1st Singular	запугиваю	запугивал / запугивала / запугивало	буду запугивать
3rd Plural	запугивают	запугивали	будут запугивать

обескураживать (Imperfective Verb): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns.

пугать (Imperfective Verb): Regular conjugation, widely used.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for запугивать/обескураживать/пугать:

• страшить
• устрашать
• тревожить

Note: "страшить" and "устрашать" are more formal and intense, while "тревожить" implies causing worry rather than fear.

Antonyms:

• ободрять (to encourage)
• вдохновлять (to inspire)

Related Phrases:

• запугивать угрозами - to daunt with threats
• обескураживать словами - to daunt with words
• пугать детей - to daunt/scare children

Usage Notes:

• "запугивать" is often used in contexts of deliberate intimidation, such as in political or authoritative scenarios.
• "обескураживать" emphasizes emotional discouragement and is more nuanced, often used in personal or motivational contexts.
• "пугать" is the most general and informal of the three, suitable for everyday conversations about fear or scaring.
• Choose based on the tone and context: formal (запугивать), emotional (обескураживать), or casual (пугать).

Common Errors:

1. Confusing "пугать" with "запугивать": English learners often use "пугать" in formal contexts where "запугивать" is more appropriate. For example, saying "пугать врагов" (scaring enemies) sounds too casual in a military context; "запугивать врагов" (intimidating enemies) is correct.

2. Misusing "обескураживать": Learners might overuse it for physical fear, but it’s better suited for emotional or psychological discouragement. Incorrect: "обескураживать темнотой" (daunt with darkness); Correct: "пугать темнотой".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of fear or intimidation (like "запугивать") can sometimes carry historical or political connotations, especially in contexts related to authority or control. Be mindful of the tone when using such terms in formal discussions.

Related Concepts:

• страх (fear)
• угроза (threat)
• тревога (anxiety)