Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'doting'

English Word: doting

Key Russian Translations:

• любящий [lʲʊˈbʲaʂɕɪj] - [Informal, Adjective form]
• нежный [ˈnʲɛʐnɨj] - [Formal, often used in literary contexts]
• поклоняющийся [pɐkɫɐˈnʲaʊʂɕɪj] - [Less common, used in specific affectionate or worshipful scenarios]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about family and relationships, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions, as per CEFR standards. For 'любящий', it's B1; for 'поклоняющийся', it may edge toward B2 due to irregular forms.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

любящий: [lʲʊˈbʲaʂɕɪj]

Note on любящий: The stress falls on the second syllable ('bʲa'), and the 'щ' sound can be challenging for English speakers, as it's a soft, palatalized fricative. Pronounce it with a gentle, flowing quality to convey affection.

нежный: [ˈnʲɛʐnɨj]

Note on нежный: Stress on the first syllable; the 'ж' is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure," but ensure it's not overly harsh.

поклоняющийся: [pɐkɫɐˈnʲaʊʂɕɪj]

Note on поклоняющийся: This is a longer word with stress on the third syllable; be mindful of the 'л' which can vary regionally in pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Affectionate or excessively fond, often in the context of family or relationships (e.g., a doting parent).

Translation(s) & Context:

• любящий - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe warm, caring behavior, such as in family settings.
• нежный - Applied in more formal or poetic contexts, emphasizing gentleness rather than excessiveness.
• поклоняющийся - Reserved for scenarios implying admiration or devotion, like in religious or idolizing contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Её любящий отец всегда готов помочь. (Eyó lyubyaishchiy otets vsegda gotov pomoch'.)

  Her doting father is always ready to help. (This example shows 'любящий' in a familial context, highlighting emotional support.)

• Эта нежная бабушка окружена любящими внуками. (Eta nezhnya babushka okruzhana lyubyaishchimi vnuakami.)

  This gentle grandmother is surrounded by doting grandchildren. (Here, 'любящий' demonstrates plural usage in a multi-generational family scenario.)

• Поклоняющийся фанат следил за каждым шагом звезды. (Poklonayushchiysya fanat sledil za kazhdym shagom zvezdy.)

  The doting fan followed the star's every move. (This illustrates 'поклоняющийся' in a non-familial, obsessive context.)

• В её глазах виднелась нежная любовь к детям. (V eyó glazakh vidnelas' nezhna lyubov' k detyam.)

  In her eyes, there was a doting love for the children. (Example uses 'нежный' to convey a softer, more refined affection.)

• Любящий супруг приготовил ужин после долгого дня. (Lyubyaishchiy supruz nikotoryi uzhin posle dolzogo dnya.)

  The doting spouse prepared dinner after a long day. (This shows 'любящий' in a marital context, emphasizing daily acts of care.)

Meaning 2: Overly indulgent or spoiling (e.g., doting to the point of excess).

Translation(s) & Context:

• любящий - In contexts where affection borders on spoiling, often with a hint of criticism.
• нежный - Less common here, as it implies gentleness without excess.

Usage Examples:

• Его любящие родители слишком много позволяют ему. (Yego lyubyaishchie roditeli slishkom mnogo pozvolyayut yemu.)

  His doting parents allow him too much. (This highlights 'любящий' in a potentially negative context of overindulgence.)

• Несмотря на любящее отношение, дети нуждаются в дисциплине. (Nesmotrya na lyubyaishchee otnoshenie, deti nuzhdayutsya v distsipline.)

  Despite the doting attitude, children need discipline. (Example contrasts 'любящий' with practical parenting advice.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations like 'любящий' and 'нежный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Поклоняющийся' is a present active participle, which also inflects but follows verbal patterns.

Note: These adjectives follow standard first-declension patterns and do not have irregular inflections. 'Поклоняющийся' changes like a verb form, making it slightly more complex.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • нежный - Similar to 'doting' but with a focus on tenderness; often interchangeable in positive contexts.
  • заботливый [zɐˈbotlʲɪvɨj] - Emphasizes caring; used when 'doting' implies practical help.
• Antonyms:
  • равнодушный [rɐvnɐˈduʂnɨj] - Indifferent, lacking affection.
  • холодный [xɐˈlodnɨj] - Cold or distant, the opposite of warm doting.

Related Phrases:

• любящий родитель - A doting parent; used in family discussions to describe overly affectionate caregiving.
• нежный взгляд - A doting gaze; implies soft, affectionate looks in romantic contexts.
• поклоняющийся поклонник - A doting fan; common in celebrity or fandom culture, with a sense of devotion.

Usage Notes:

'Doting' in English often carries a positive connotation of affection but can imply excess, which aligns with 'любящий' in Russian. Choose 'любящий' for informal, everyday use, but opt for 'нежный' in more formal or literary settings to avoid sounding overly emotional. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences, as Russian adjectives must match the noun's case, number, and gender. For example, when translating 'doting mother', use 'любящая мать' to ensure proper inflection.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'любящий' without proper inflection, e.g., saying 'любящий женщина' instead of 'любящая женщина'.

  Correct: 'Любящая женщина' – Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree in gender; 'женщина' is feminine, so 'любящий' changes to 'любящая'.

• Error: Confusing 'любящий' with 'любимый' (beloved), e.g., translating 'doting' as 'любимый' in a parental context.

  Correct: Use 'любящий' for the act of doting; 'любимый' means 'beloved' and refers to the object of affection. This mistake can alter the sentence's meaning entirely.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions of doting affection like 'любящий' are often tied to family values, where parents are expected to show immense care. However, excessive doting can be seen as spoiling in modern contexts, reflecting a balance between the traditional 'материнская любовь' (maternal love) and contemporary parenting advice.

Related Concepts:

• забота
• любовь
• воспитание