Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'entreat'

English Word: entreat

Key Russian Translations:

• Умолять [ʊmɐˈlʲatʲ] - [Formal, often used in emotional or pleading contexts]
• Просить [ˈpro.sʲɪtʲ] - [Informal or neutral, general requests]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, conversations, and formal writing, but not as ubiquitous as everyday verbs like "сказать").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts, with "Умолять" being slightly more advanced due to its emotional connotations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Умолять: [ʊmɐˈlʲatʲ]

Note on Умолять: The stress falls on the second syllable; the soft 'л' sound can be challenging for English speakers, as it involves palatalization. Pronounce it with a gentle, pleading tone for natural emphasis.

Просить: [ˈpro.sʲɪtʲ]

Note on Просить: Stress on the first syllable; the 'сʲ' is a soft 's' sound, similar to 's' in "measure," and it's often used in quick speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To earnestly request or beg for something, often with emotional intensity.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Умолять - Used in formal or dramatic situations, such as pleading for mercy or help.
• Просить - Applied in everyday contexts for polite requests, but can imply entreaty if emphasized.

Usage Examples:

• Она умоляла его не уходить, слезы катились по её щекам.

  She entreated him not to leave, tears streaming down her cheeks.

• Дети умоляли родителей купить им новую игрушку в магазине.

  The children entreated their parents to buy them a new toy at the store.

• В письме он просил помощи, умоляя о быстром ответе.

  In the letter, he entreated for help, begging for a quick response.

• Она просила его простить её, но в её голосе звучала настоящая мольба.

  She entreated him to forgive her, with genuine pleading in her voice.

Meaning 2: To appeal or implore in a persuasive manner, often in formal or literary settings.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Умолять - Common in literary or emotional appeals, such as in novels or speeches.
• Просить - Used in professional or neutral contexts, like business negotiations.

Usage Examples:

• Оратор умолял аудиторию поддержать реформу, подчеркивая её важность.

  The speaker entreated the audience to support the reform, emphasizing its importance.

• В суде адвокат просил судью смягчить приговор, умоляя о справедливости.

  In court, the lawyer entreated the judge to lighten the sentence, begging for fairness.

• Она просила коллег о помощи с проектом, но её тон был полон мольбы.

  She entreated her colleagues for help with the project, her tone full of pleading.

• Писатель умолял читателей задуматься о последствиях своих действий.

  The writer entreated readers to consider the consequences of their actions.

• Друг просил меня не вмешиваться, но я чувствовал, что должен умолять его передумать.

  My friend entreated me not to interfere, but I felt I had to beg him to reconsider.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Умолять" and "Просить" are verbs, so they follow standard Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Умолять" is an imperfective verb, while "Просить" can be both imperfective and perfective in certain contexts (e.g., "попросить" as perfective). Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These verbs are regular in most aspects but may vary by aspect (e.g., "попросить" for perfective of "Просить"). They do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Молить (molit' - more religious or desperate pleading)
  • Благодарить (blagodarit' - to implore with gratitude, subtle difference)
  • Упросить (uprosit' - to persuade through repeated requests)
• Antonyms:
  • Отказывать (otkazyvat' - to refuse)
  • Запрещать (zapreschat' - to forbid)

Related Phrases:

• Умолять на коленях - To entreat on one's knees (used for dramatic, humble begging).
• Просить пощады - To beg for mercy (common in conflict or emotional scenarios).
• Умолять о помощи - To plead for help (emphasizes desperation in crises).

Usage Notes:

"Умолять" directly corresponds to the more intense, emotional aspect of "entreat," making it ideal for formal or literary contexts, while "Просить" is a broader equivalent suitable for everyday conversations. Be mindful of register: use "Умолять" in persuasive writing or speeches to convey urgency, but avoid it in casual talk to prevent sounding overly dramatic. Grammatically, both verbs require the accusative case for direct objects, e.g., "умолять кого-то о чем-то." When choosing between translations, opt for "Просить" if the entreaty is polite and routine.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Умолять" with "Просить": English learners often use "Просить" interchangeably, but this can dilute emotional intensity. Error: "Я прошу тебя остаться" (when "entreat" implies desperation). Correct: "Я умоляю тебя остаться." Explanation: "Умолять" adds a layer of pleading that "Просить" lacks.
• Incorrect conjugation: Forgetting to adjust for person and tense, e.g., saying "Умоляет" instead of "Умоляешь" for second person. Error: "Ты умоляет." Correct: "Ты умоляешь." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Умолять" often appear in literature and folklore, reflecting themes of humility and desperation, as seen in classic works by Dostoevsky. This verb can carry a sense of Russian fatalism, where entreaties are tied to emotional depth rather than direct action, highlighting cultural values of endurance and heartfelt expression.

Related Concepts:

• Мольба (mol'ba - supplication)
• Просьба (prosb'a - request)
• Убеждать (ubezhdat' - to persuade)