Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dissemble'

English Word: dissemble

Key Russian Translations:

• притворяться - /prʲɪtˈvorʲɪt͡sə/ - [Informal, Verb; commonly used in everyday conversations]
• диссимулировать - /dʲɪssʲɪˈmulʲɪrəvatʲ/ - [Formal, Verb; used in academic or professional contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The verb is encountered in literature and casual speech but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to be" or "to go").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb aspects and reflexive forms, suitable for upper-intermediate learners per CEFR standards).

Pronunciation (Russian):

притворяться: /prʲɪtˈvorʲɪt͡sə/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'r' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on притворяться: This is an imperfective verb; the pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the 'т' softening before vowels.

диссимулировать: /dʲɪssʲɪˈmulʲɪrəvatʲ/ (Stress on the third syllable; the initial 'dʲ' is a soft 'd', common in borrowed words.)

Note on диссимулировать: As a borrowed word from Latin via French, it retains a more precise enunciation in formal settings.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or identity (primary meaning of 'dissemble')

Translation(s) & Context:

• притворяться: Used in informal contexts to describe everyday deception, such as faking emotions in social interactions.
• диссимулировать: Applied in formal or psychological contexts, like in discussions of behavior in professional or diplomatic settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он притворяется, что всё в порядке, чтобы не волновать друзей.

  He dissembles that everything is fine to not worry his friends.

• В политике часто приходится диссимулировать свои истинные намерения.

  In politics, one often has to dissemble their true intentions.

• Она притворяется больной, чтобы избежать встречи.

  She dissembles by pretending to be sick to avoid the meeting.

• Чтобы выиграть переговоры, ему пришлось диссимулировать интерес к предложению.

  To win the negotiations, he had to dissemble his interest in the proposal.

• Дети иногда притворяются спящими, чтобы подслушать разговоры взрослых.

  Children sometimes dissemble by pretending to be asleep to eavesdrop on adults' conversations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, with "притворяться" being an imperfective reflexive verb and "диссимулировать" a perfective verb borrowed from Western languages. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, mood, person, and number. Below is a table for key inflections:

Note: "притворяться" is irregular in its reflexive form and commonly used in imperfective aspects to describe ongoing actions. "диссимулировать" follows standard conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -овать but is less flexible in aspect.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • скрывать (to hide; more neutral and direct, often used for physical concealment)
  • маскировать (to mask; implies deliberate obfuscation, similar to dissemble in strategic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • открывать (to reveal; direct opposite, emphasizing transparency)
  • быть честным (to be honest; a phrase rather than a single word, highlighting sincerity)

Related Phrases:

• притворяться другом - Pretend to be a friend (used for feigning relationships in social or deceptive scenarios).
• диссимулировать эмоции - Dissemble emotions (common in psychological or theatrical contexts to hide feelings).
• притворяться невинным - Pretend to be innocent (often in legal or everyday accusations to avoid blame).

Usage Notes:

Use "притворяться" for informal, everyday situations where someone is actively pretending, as it captures the ongoing nature of dissimulation in Russian. "Диссимулировать" is more formal and aligns closely with the English "dissemble" in professional or intellectual contexts, but it's less common in spoken language. Be mindful of verb aspects: choose imperfective for habitual actions and perfective for completed ones. English learners should note that Russian often requires specifying the object or context more explicitly to avoid ambiguity.

• When translating "dissemble," opt for "притворяться" in casual speech and "диссимулировать" in written or formal English equivalents.
• Grammar note: Both verbs can take direct objects, but "притворяться" is reflexive, so it often pairs with adverbs like "искусно" (skillfully) to enhance meaning.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "притворяться" with "лгать" (to lie), thinking they are synonyms, but "притворяться" implies deception through actions rather than direct falsehoods. For example:

• Error: Using "лгать" when meaning "dissemble" in a situational context, e.g., "Он лжет, чтобы скрыть правду" (incorrect if the intent is to pretend rather than state a falsehood).
• Correct: "Он притворяется, чтобы скрыть правду" - This better captures the essence of dissemble by focusing on pretense.
• Another error: Forgetting reflexive particles, e.g., saying "притворять" instead of "притворяться," which changes the meaning entirely. Explanation: Always include "-ся" for reflexive verbs to maintain accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of dissimulation, as in "притворяться," often appears in literature like Chekhov's works, where characters hide emotions to conform to social norms. This reflects a historical emphasis on stoicism and indirect communication in Russian society, particularly during the Soviet era, where open expression could be risky.

Related Concepts:

• маскировка (masking)
• обман (deception)
• интрига (intrigue)