Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'disguise'

English Word: disguise

Key Russian Translations:

• маскировка [mɐskʲɪˈrovkə] - [Formal, Noun; used in contexts like espionage or camouflage]
• маскировать [mɐskʲɪˈravatʲ] - [Formal, Verb; used for actions involving concealment]
• переодевание [pʲɪrʲɪɐdʲɪˈvanʲjə] - [Informal, Noun; common in everyday scenarios like costumes or parties]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations appear regularly in literature, media, and everyday conversation, especially in contexts involving security or entertainment.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp basic usage, but mastering inflections and contextual nuances may require further practice. For "маскировать" as a verb, it might be slightly more challenging due to verb conjugations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

маскировка: [mɐskʲɪˈrovkə]

маскировать: [mɐskʲɪˈravatʲ]

переодевание: [pʲɪrʲɪɐdʲɪˈvanʲjə]

Note on маскировать: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft sign (ʲ) which affects pronunciation in rapid speech. Variations may occur in dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To change one's appearance or hide something to conceal identity or purpose

Translation(s) & Context:

• маскировать - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as military operations or detective work, where deception is strategic.
• переодевание - More casual, often in social or theatrical settings, like Halloween or theater performances.

Usage Examples:

• Шпион маскировал своё лицо, чтобы избежать обнаружения.

  The spy disguised his face to avoid detection.

• Во время маскировки они изменили одежду и прическу.

  During the disguise, they changed their clothes and hairstyle.

• Она использовала переодевание для участия в карнавальном параде.

  She used a disguise to participate in the carnival parade.

• Чтобы маскировать правду, он придумал elaborate alibi.

  To disguise the truth, he came up with an elaborate alibi.

• Переодевание в костюм героя сделало вечеринку незабываемой.

  Disguising as a hero character made the party unforgettable.

Meaning 2: Something that conceals or alters the true nature of something

Translation(s) & Context:

• маскировка - Applied in metaphorical senses, like hiding emotions or facts in psychological or everyday discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его улыбка была лишь маскировкой для внутренней боли.

  His smile was just a disguise for his inner pain.

• Маскировка продукта помогла компании скрыть его недостатки.

  The disguise of the product helped the company hide its flaws.

• В политике маскировка намерений часто приводит к конфликтам.

  In politics, disguising intentions often leads to conflicts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "маскировка" (feminine noun, 1st declension):

For "маскировать" (verb, imperfective aspect):

"Переодевание" follows similar noun inflections as "маскировка" but is invariant in some contexts due to its neuter form in certain usages.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: скрывать (to hide; more general concealment), camouflage (камуфляж; specific to visual hiding), фальсифицировать (to falsify; for deceptive alterations)
• Antonyms: разоблачать (to reveal), обнажать (to expose; literal or figurative)

Related Phrases:

• Маскировка под кого-то - Disguising as someone; used in acting or espionage contexts.
• Переодеться в костюм - To change into a costume; common in festive or theatrical settings.
• Маскировка правды - Disguising the truth; implies deception in conversations or media.

Usage Notes:

"Маскировка" directly corresponds to "disguise" in formal English contexts, such as military or strategic hiding, while "переодевание" is better for casual or social disguises. Be mindful of the aspect in verbs like "маскировать" (imperfective, ongoing action) versus its perfective counterpart "замаскировать" (completed action). In Russian, these words often carry a neutral or serious tone, so avoid using them in overly lighthearted situations unless paired with informal language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "маскировать" with "маскировка" by using the noun as a verb. Incorrect: "Я маскировка лицо" (grammatically wrong). Correct: "Я маскирую лицо". Explanation: "Маскировка" is a noun; use the verb form for actions.
• Error: Overusing in informal speech. Incorrect: Using "маскировка" in casual chats about parties. Correct: Opt for "переодевание" for everyday contexts. Explanation: This maintains appropriate register and avoids sounding overly formal.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "маскировка" often evokes themes from literature and history, such as in espionage novels or World War II stories, where camouflage played a key role. It symbolizes deception in a pragmatic sense, reflecting Russia's historical emphasis on strategic ingenuity in conflicts.

Related Concepts:

• камуфляж
• скрытность
• фальшивка