Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Deface'

English Word: deface

Key Russian Translations:

• портить [ˈportʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, General Use]
• уродовать [ʊˈrodəvətʲ] - [Formal, Strong Negative Connotation]
• повреждать [pəvʲrʲɪʐˈdatʲ] - [Neutral, Often for Physical Damage]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "портить"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "уродовать" and "повреждать"

Pronunciation (Russian):

портить: [ˈportʲɪtʲ]

Note on портить: Stress on the first syllable; the "р" is rolled slightly.

уродовать: [ʊˈrodəvətʲ]

Note on уродовать: Stress on the second syllable; often used with a sense of disfigurement.

повреждать: [pəvʲrʲɪʐˈdatʲ]

Note on повреждать: Stress on the last syllable; common in technical or formal contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To damage the appearance of something (e.g., a surface or object)

Translation(s) & Context:

• портить - Used for general spoiling or damaging, often in everyday contexts.
• повреждать - Focuses on physical damage, often in formal or technical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Не порти стену граффити!

  Don't deface the wall with graffiti!

• Он повредил поверхность стола ножом.

  He defaced the surface of the table with a knife.

• Дети испортили книгу, рисуя в ней.

  The children defaced the book by drawing in it.

2. To disfigure or make something ugly (often with emotional or strong connotation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уродовать - Used when implying severe disfigurement or making something ugly, often with emotional weight.

Usage Examples:

• Зачем уродовать такую красивую картину?

  Why deface such a beautiful painting?

• Этот шрам уродовал его лицо.

  This scar defaced his face.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	порчу
Ты (You, informal)	портишь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	портит
Мы (We)	портим
Вы (You, formal/plural)	портите
Они (They)	портят

уродовать (Verb, Imperfective): Follows similar regular conjugation patterns. Perfective form: изуродовать.

повреждать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular conjugation. Perfective form: повредить.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "портить":

• испортить (perfective)
• гадить (colloquial, negative)

Antonyms for "портить":

• улучшать (to improve)
• исправлять (to fix)

Note: Synonyms like "гадить" are more informal and carry a stronger negative tone compared to "портить".

Related Phrases:

• портить настроение - to spoil someone's mood
• уродовать природу - to deface nature (e.g., by pollution)
• повреждать имущество - to damage property

Usage Notes:

• "портить" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "deface" in everyday speech, suitable for both literal and figurative damage.
• "уродовать" carries a stronger emotional connotation and is often used when the act of defacing results in something becoming ugly or disfigured.
• "повреждать" is more neutral and often used in formal or technical contexts to describe physical damage.
• Be mindful of aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) when using these verbs; for completed actions, use perfective forms like "испортить" or "повредить".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "уродовать" in neutral contexts. Incorrect: "Он уродовал стену краской" (He disfigured the wall with paint). Correct: "Он испортил стену краской" (He defaced the wall with paint). Explanation: "уродовать" implies severe disfigurement and is inappropriate for minor or neutral damage.
• Error: Ignoring verb aspect. Incorrect: "Я порчу книгу вчера" (I deface the book yesterday). Correct: "Я испортил книгу вчера" (I defaced the book yesterday). Explanation: Use the perfective form for past completed actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, defacing public property like monuments or historical sites is considered a serious offense and often carries significant social stigma. The term "портить" or "уродовать" might be used in discussions about vandalism, reflecting a strong disapproval of such actions.

Related Concepts:

• вандализм (vandalism)
• разрушение (destruction)
• повреждение (damage)