Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'do'

English Word: do

Key Russian Translations:

• делать [dʲɪˈlatʲ] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• выполнять [vɨˈpolnʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Specific tasks]

Frequency: High (Common in daily conversations and writing)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; basic verb structure easy for new learners, but inflections may require practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

делать: [dʲɪˈlatʲ]

выполнять: [vɨˈpolnʲɪtʲ]

Note on делать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("la"), which is common in Russian imperfective verbs; be careful with the palatalized 'l' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Note on выполнять: The initial 'v' is pronounced as a voiced labiodental fricative, similar to English 'v', but the word has a more formal tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

General action verb (e.g., to perform an action, as in "I do my work")

Translation(s) & Context:

• делать - Used in informal contexts for routine or general actions, such as daily tasks or habits.
• выполнять - Applied in more formal or professional settings, emphasizing completion of duties or obligations.

Usage Examples:

• Я делаю уроки каждый вечер. // This example shows the verb in a simple present tense for habitual actions.

  I do my homework every evening.

• Он выполняет свою работу очень тщательно. // Here, it demonstrates the verb in a formal context with an adverb for emphasis.

  He does his work very carefully.

• Мы делаем покупки в выходные. // This illustrates the verb with a plural subject and in a casual, everyday scenario.

  We do shopping on weekends.

• Она выполняет задание до срока. // Example of the verb in a goal-oriented context, common in professional or academic settings.

  She does the assignment before the deadline.

• Дети делают рисунки для мамы. // This shows the verb with a direct object and in a familial, informal context.

  The children do drawings for mom.

Auxiliary or emphatic use (e.g., "Do you like it?")

Translation(s) & Context:

• делать - In questions or emphasis, often translated as part of a broader structure, but can be implied.

Usage Examples:

• Ты делаешь это правильно? // Used in informal questions to seek confirmation.

  Do you do this correctly?

• Мы действительно выполняем план? // Emphasizes doubt or confirmation in a formal query.

  Do we really do the plan?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "делать" and "выполнять" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. "Делать" is irregular in some forms, while "выполнять" follows more standard patterns.

Note: "Делать" does not change for gender in the infinitive or present forms but does in the past tense, which is typical for Russian verbs.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • творить - More creative or artistic contexts (e.g., to create).
  • заниматься - For engaging in activities (e.g., to engage in).
• Antonyms:
  • не делать - Not to do (direct negation).
  • прекращать - To stop or cease.

Related Phrases:

• Делать что-то своими руками - Do something with your own hands; implies self-reliance or craftsmanship.
• Выполнять обещание - Fulfill a promise; used in contexts of commitment and reliability.
• Делать вид - Pretend to do something; a common idiom for feigning an action.

Usage Notes:

The English word "do" is versatile and often corresponds to "делать" in informal Russian speech for general actions, but "выполнять" is preferred in formal or professional settings to convey precision and obligation. Be mindful of aspect: Russian verbs have perfective and imperfective forms, so "do" might pair with perfective verbs like "сделать" for completed actions. In questions or negatives, "do" can be omitted in Russian translations, e.g., "Do you understand?" becomes "Ты понимаешь?". When choosing between translations, opt for "делать" in everyday dialogue and "выполнять" in written or official contexts.

• Grammar tip: Always conjugate based on the subject; Russian verbs agree in person and number.
• Context tip: In idiomatic expressions, "do" might not translate directly, so focus on the overall meaning.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse aspect, confusing imperfective "делать" with perfective "сделать". For example:

• Error: Saying "Я делаю задание" when meaning a completed action (incorrect for finished tasks).
• Correct: "Я сделал задание" (I have done the assignment). Explanation: Use perfective for completed actions to avoid implying ongoing activity.
• Another error: Overusing "выполнять" in casual speech, e.g., "Я выполняю ужин" instead of "Я делаю ужин". Correct usage: Reserve "выполнять" for formal contexts to sound natural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like "делать" often reflect a pragmatic approach to life, emphasizing action and productivity. For instance, phrases involving "делать" in daily routines highlight the cultural value of hard work and self-improvement, as seen in proverbs like "Делай, что должен, и будь, что будет" (Do what you must, and come what will), which underscores duty and fatalism in Russian philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• работать (to work)
• изучать (to study)
• творить (to create)