Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'embrace'

English Word: embrace

Key Russian Translations:

• обнимать [ɐbˈnʲimətʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Used in everyday conversations for physical hugging]
• объятие [ɐbˈʐætʲjə] - [Formal/Neutral, Noun, Used to describe the act or instance of hugging]
• принимать [prʲɪˈnʲimatʲ] - [Formal, Verb, Used metaphorically for embracing ideas or concepts]

Frequency: Medium - 'обнимать' is commonly used in spoken Russian, while 'объятие' appears in both casual and literary contexts; 'принимать' is frequent in formal or abstract discussions.

Difficulty: B1-Intermediate for 'обнимать' (due to verb conjugation), B2-Upper Intermediate for 'объятие' (noun declension), and B1 for 'принимать' (similar conjugation patterns).

Pronunciation (Russian):

обнимать: [ɐbˈnʲimətʲ]

объятие: [ɐbˈʐætʲjə]

принимать: [prʲɪˈnʲimatʲ]

Note on обнимать: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'б' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To hold someone closely in one's arms (as a physical act)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обнимать - Used in informal, affectionate contexts, such as family or romantic situations.
• объятие - Refers to the noun form in more descriptive or emotional narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Она обняла своего друга после долгой разлуки. (Ona obniala svoyego druga posle dolgov razluki.)

  She embraced her friend after a long separation. (This shows the verb in a personal, emotional context.)

• В объятиях матери ребенок чувствовал себя в безопасности. (V obʺyatiyah materi rebenok chuvstvoval sebya v bezopasnosti.)

  In the embrace of his mother, the child felt safe. (Illustrates the noun in a familial setting.)

• Они обнялись на вокзале, прощаясь навсегда. (Oni obnulis' na vokzale, proshchayas' navsegda.)

  They embraced at the station, saying goodbye forever. (Demonstrates past tense usage in a poignant scenario.)

• Обнимая ее, он прошептал слова любви. (Obnima ya yeyo, on prosheptal slova lyubvi.)

  While embracing her, he whispered words of love. (Shows the verb in a progressive or simultaneous action.)

• Его объятие было теплым и успокаивающим. (Yego obʺyatiye bylo teplym i uspokaivayushchim.)

  His embrace was warm and comforting. (Highlights the noun with adjectives for emotional depth.)

Meaning 2: To accept or adopt something willingly (metaphorical)

Translation(s) & Context:

• принимать - Used in formal, intellectual, or ideological contexts, such as embracing new ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Она приняла новую идею с энтузиазмом. (Ona prinimala novuyu ideyu s entuziazmom.)

  She embraced the new idea with enthusiasm. (This example shows the verb in a professional or creative context.)

• Страна приняла реформы для экономического роста. (Strana prinimala reformy dlya ekonomicheskogo rosta.)

  The country embraced reforms for economic growth. (Illustrates usage in a broader, societal scenario.)

• Принимая вызов, он изменил свою жизнь. (Prinimaya vyzov, on izmenil svoyu zhizn'.)

  By embracing the challenge, he changed his life. (Demonstrates the verb in a motivational context.)

• Мы должны принять изменения в технологиях. (My dolzhny prinimat' izmeneniya v tekhnologiyakh.)

  We must embrace changes in technology. (Shows imperative or advisory usage.)

• Его речь призывала принять мирные ценности. (Yego rech' prizyvala prinimat' mirnyye tsennosti.)

  His speech called for embracing peaceful values. (Highlights the verb in a rhetorical or public setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'обнимать' (verb, first conjugation), it follows standard Russian verb patterns with irregularities in some forms. Below is a table of its key inflections:

For 'объятие' (neuter noun, second declension), it declines regularly as follows: Nominative: объятие; Genitive: объятия; Dative: объятию; etc. It is invariant in plural forms for some cases.

For 'принимать' (verb), it has similar conjugation to 'обнимать' but with more frequent use in perfective aspect (e.g., принять).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Обнимать: обхватывать (obkhvatывать) - More literal, for encircling; used in physical contexts.
  • Объятие: ласка (laska) - Implies tenderness, often in romantic settings.
  • Принимать: усваивать (usvaivat') - Focuses on internalizing ideas; suitable for educational contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Отталкивать (ottalkivat') - To push away, opposite of physical embrace.
  • Отвергать (otvergat') - To reject, opposite of accepting ideas.

Related Phrases:

• Обнять кого-то - To hug someone; a common expression for showing affection.
• В объятиях любви - In the embrace of love; used in poetic or romantic contexts to denote intimacy.
• Принять решение - To embrace a decision; implies committing to a choice in everyday life.

Usage Notes:

'Обнимать' directly corresponds to the physical act of embracing in English but is more commonly used in informal settings; avoid it in very formal writing. 'Объятие' as a noun can add emotional depth, similar to 'embrace' in literature. When choosing between translations, use 'принимать' for abstract concepts to match metaphorical English usage. Note the aspect in verbs: 'обнимать' is imperfective, so pair it with 'принять' for completed actions. Grammar tip: Russian verbs require agreement in person and number, which differs from English simplicity.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'обнимать' without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "я обнимать" instead of "я обнимаю". Correct: Always conjugate based on subject (e.g., "я обнимаю"). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject, unlike English where the base form often suffices.
• Error: Confusing 'объятие' with 'обнимать' in sentences, e.g., "Я объятие тебя" instead of "Я обнимаю тебя". Correct: Use the verb form for actions. Explanation: 'Объятие' is a noun, so it can't directly replace a verb; this mix-up stems from not distinguishing parts of speech.
• Error: Overusing 'принимать' for physical embrace, e.g., "Я принимаю мою жену" meaning "I embrace my wife". Correct: Use 'обнимать' for physical acts. Explanation: 'Принимать' implies acceptance, not physical contact, leading to misunderstandings in context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, physical embraces like 'обнимать' are common among friends and family, reflecting warmth and emotional openness, especially in Slavic traditions. However, in formal or public settings, such gestures might be reserved, highlighting cultural nuances around personal space compared to more tactile Western customs.

Related Concepts:

• Поцелуй (patseluy) - Kiss
• Ласка (laska) - Caress
• Принятие (prinaytiye) - Acceptance