Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Dazzle'

English Word: Dazzle

Key Russian Translations:

• ослеплять [ɐsʲlʲɪˈplʲætʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Often figurative or literal blinding]
• поразить [pɐrɐˈzʲitʲ] - [Neutral, Verb, Used for impressing or striking]
• ошеломить [ɐʂɨlɐˈmʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Often emotional or mental impact]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

ослеплять: [ɐsʲlʲɪˈplʲætʲ]

Note on ослеплять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'я' sound is softer in Russian, pronounced with a palatalized 'l'.

поразить: [pɐrɐˈzʲitʲ]

Note on поразить: Stress on the third syllable. The 'р' is rolled lightly.

ошеломить: [ɐʂɨlɐˈmʲitʲ]

Note on ошеломить: Stress on the third syllable. The 'ш' is a retroflex sound, distinct from English 'sh'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To blind with bright light or brilliance (Literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ослеплять - Used literally for blinding light or shine, often from the sun or headlights.

Usage Examples:

• Солнце ослепляет меня, когда я еду на машине.

  The sun dazzles me when I’m driving.

• Фары автомобиля ослепляли прохожих.

  The car headlights dazzled the pedestrians.

• Свет сцены ослеплял актёров.

  The stage lights dazzled the actors.

2. To impress or amaze greatly (Figurative)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поразить - Used for impressing someone with talent, beauty, or achievement.
• ошеломить - Used for stunning or overwhelming someone, often with unexpected news or actions.

Usage Examples:

• Её выступление поразило всех зрителей.

  Her performance dazzled all the spectators.

• Этот дизайн платья просто поразил меня.

  This dress design just dazzled me.

• Его слова ошеломили аудиторию.

  His words dazzled the audience.

• Новость о его успехе ошеломила друзей.

  The news of his success dazzled his friends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

ослеплять (Verb, Imperfective Aspect):

Note: Perfective form is ослепить.

поразить and ошеломить are perfective verbs with similar conjugation patterns but are used only in completed actions. Their imperfective counterparts are поражать and ошеломлять.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for ослеплять (literal):

• заслеплять
• слепить

Note: 'слепить' is more colloquial and often used for temporary blinding by light.

Synonyms for поразить (figurative):

• удивить
• впечатлить

Antonyms:

• разочаровать (to disappoint)
• оставить равнодушным (to leave indifferent)

Related Phrases:

• ослеплять красотой - To dazzle with beauty.
• поразить воображение - To dazzle the imagination.
• ошеломить новостью - To dazzle with news (often shocking or surprising).

Usage Notes:

• ослеплять is primarily used for literal dazzling (e.g., by light) but can be metaphorical in poetic or literary contexts.

• поразить is the most neutral and versatile translation for figurative dazzling, often tied to admiration or awe.

• ошеломить implies a stronger emotional or mental impact, often with a sense of being overwhelmed.

• Be mindful of aspect: Russian verbs distinguish between imperfective (ongoing) and perfective (completed) actions. Use ослеплять/поражать for ongoing actions and ослепить/поразить for one-time or completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using ослеплять in figurative contexts where поразить is more appropriate. For example, saying "Его талант ослепляет" is unnatural; correct usage is "Его талант поражает".

  Explanation: ослеплять is mostly literal, tied to light or vision, while поразить fits abstract amazement.

• Error: Ignoring verb aspect, e.g., using поразить for ongoing actions. Incorrect: "Его слова всегда поразить меня". Correct: "Его слова всегда поражают меня".

  Explanation: Use the imperfective form поражать for repeated or ongoing actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of amazement or being dazzled (e.g., поразить) are often used in contexts of art, literature, or personal achievements. Russians may use such terms more reservedly compared to English speakers, often implying genuine, profound admiration rather than casual praise.

Related Concepts:

• восхищение (admiration)
• удивление (amazement)
• блеск (shine, brilliance)