Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'delude'

English Word: delude

Key Russian Translations:

• обманывать [ɐbˈmanɨvətʲ] - [Neutral, Commonly Used]
• вводить в заблуждение [vnʲɪˈdʲitʲ v zəblʊʐˈdʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Idiomatic]
• морочить [mɐˈrotʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Colloquial]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts of deception or illusion)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обманывать: [ɐbˈmanɨvətʲ]

Note on обманывать: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ы" sound is a distinct Russian vowel, often challenging for English speakers.

вводить в заблуждение: [vnʲɪˈdʲitʲ v zəblʊʐˈdʲenʲɪjə]

Note on вводить в заблуждение: A multi-word phrase; stress is on "ди" in "вводить" and "де" in "заблуждение".

морочить: [mɐˈrotʲɪtʲ]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To deceive someone intentionally (mislead or trick)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обманывать - General term for deceiving or lying to someone.
• вводить в заблуждение - More formal, often used in written or official contexts to mean "to mislead".

Usage Examples:

• Он обманывал её много лет о своих чувствах.

  He deceived her about his feelings for many years.

• Не вводите людей в заблуждение ложными фактами.

  Do not mislead people with false facts.

• Его слова обманывали всех вокруг.

  His words deceived everyone around him.

2. To fool or delude in a playful or less serious way

Translation(s) & Context:

• морочить - Informal, often implies fooling or confusing someone playfully or annoyingly.

Usage Examples:

• Перестань морочить мне голову своими шутками!

  Stop fooling me with your jokes!

• Он морочил её, притворяясь, что не знает ответа.

  He deluded her by pretending he didn’t know the answer.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

обманывать (Verb, Imperfective): Regular verb of the first conjugation. Below is the present tense conjugation:

вводить в заблуждение (Phrasal Verb, Imperfective): The verb "вводить" conjugates similarly to "обманывать", but the phrase as a whole remains fixed.

морочить (Verb, Imperfective): Regular verb with similar conjugation patterns to "обманывать".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for обманывать:

• лгать (to lie)
• дурачить (to fool)
• обольщать (to seduce or charm deceptively)

Note: "лгать" focuses on lying, while "дурачить" is more playful or mocking.

Antonyms for обманывать:

• раскрывать (to reveal)
• говорить правду (to tell the truth)

Related Phrases:

• обманывать доверие - to betray trust (lit. to deceive trust)
• вводить в заблуждение умышленно - to deliberately mislead
• морочить голову - to confuse or mess with someone’s head (colloquial)

Usage Notes:

• "обманывать" is the most neutral and versatile translation of "delude", suitable for most contexts involving deception.
• "вводить в заблуждение" is more formal and often used in intellectual or serious discussions about misleading someone.
• "морочить" is informal and may carry a lighter or more irritating tone, often used in personal or casual interactions.
• Be mindful of aspect: "обманывать" (imperfective) refers to ongoing or repeated deception, while its perfective form "обмануть" refers to a one-time act.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "морочить" in formal contexts. Incorrect: "Компания морочит клиентов." Correct: "Компания вводит клиентов в заблуждение." (Explanation: "морочить" is too colloquial for formal business contexts.)
• Error: Confusing "обманывать" with "лгать". While both mean deception, "лгать" specifically means lying verbally. Incorrect: "Он лгал её чувствами." Correct: "Он обманывал её чувства." (Explanation: "лгать" cannot take a direct object like feelings.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, deception or misleading (especially in personal relationships) can carry strong negative connotations. Phrases like "обманывать доверие" (to betray trust) are often used in emotional or moral discussions, reflecting the high value placed on honesty and trust.

Related Concepts:

• ложь (lie)
• обман (deception)
• иллюзия (illusion)