Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'exaggerate'

English Word: exaggerate

Key Russian Translations:

• Преувеличивать [prʲɪʊvʲɪlʲɪt͡ɕɪvətʲ] - [Formal and Informal; Used in everyday conversation, literature, and media]
• Преувеличивать [prʲɪʊvʲɪlʲɪt͡ɕɪvətʲ] - [Informal; Often in spoken language to describe hyperbolic statements]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions, storytelling, and journalism, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать")

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugation and nuances of exaggeration in context; for learners, mastering imperfective aspects can be challenging)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Преувеличивать: [prʲɪʊvʲɪlʲɪt͡ɕɪvətʲ]

Note on Преувеличивать: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ве"), and the initial "пр" sound is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pay attention to the soft sign (ь) affecting pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To represent something as larger, better, or worse than it actually is, often for emphasis or effect.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Преувеличивать - Used in contexts involving storytelling, advertising, or casual exaggeration to make a point more dramatic.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда преувеличивает свои достижения. (He always exaggerates his achievements.)

  English: He always exaggerates his achievements. (This example shows the verb in a simple present context, highlighting personal habits.)

• Не преувеличивай опасность; всё не так страшно. (Don't exaggerate the danger; it's not that bad.)

  English: Don't exaggerate the danger; it's not that bad. (Demonstrates imperative form in advice-giving scenarios.)

• В новостях часто преувеличивают события для привлечения внимания. (In the news, they often exaggerate events to attract attention.)

  English: In the news, they often exaggerate events to attract attention. (Illustrates use in media critique, with a plural subject.)

• Она преувеличивала свои страдания, чтобы вызвать сочувствие. (She was exaggerating her sufferings to evoke sympathy.)

  English: She was exaggerating her sufferings to evoke sympathy. (Shows past continuous aspect in narrative contexts.)

• Преувеличивать в шутку – это часть нашей культуры. (Exaggerating in jest is part of our culture.)

  English: Exaggerating in jest is part of our culture. (Highlights informal, cultural usage with infinitive form.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Преувеличивать" is an imperfective verb in Russian, which means it describes ongoing or repeated actions. It follows the standard first conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -ить. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: The verb is regular, so it doesn't have irregular forms, but aspect pairing with its perfective counterpart "преувеличить" is important for precise usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Преувеличивать - Similar to "напыщать" (to boast), but more neutral; used for general exaggeration.
  • Преувеличивать - "Возвеличивать" (to glorify), often with a positive connotation in formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Уменьшать (to diminish)
  • Преуменьшать (to understate)

Related Phrases:

• Преувеличивать факты (Exaggerate the facts) - Often used in contexts of misinformation or storytelling to mean amplifying details for effect.
• Не стоит преувеличивать (It's not worth exaggerating) - A common phrase in advice, implying moderation in expression.
• Преувеличивать до абсурда (Exaggerate to absurdity) - Refers to hyperbolic exaggeration that becomes ridiculous, common in humor.

Usage Notes:

Russian often pairs "преувеличивать" with its perfective form "преувеличить" to distinguish between ongoing (imperfective) and completed (perfective) actions, unlike English "exaggerate," which doesn't have this aspect. Use it in formal and informal settings, but be cautious in professional contexts where understatement is preferred. When choosing between translations, "преувеличивать" best matches the dynamic nature of exaggeration, while alternatives like "напыщать" imply boastfulness.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspects: Learners might use "преувеличивать" when "преувеличить" is needed for a completed action. Error: "Я преувеличивать вчера" (incorrect). Correct: "Я преувеличил вчера" (I exaggerated yesterday). Explanation: Russian verbs require the correct aspect to convey tense accurately.

• Overusing in formal writing: Beginners may exaggerate too literally, leading to awkward phrasing. Error: "Преувеличивать в отчёте" instead of more neutral terms. Correct: Use "преувеличивать" only if intentional hyperbole is meant, otherwise opt for precise descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, exaggeration is often employed in folklore and everyday humor, such as in anecdotes or "anecdotes" (анекдоты), where hyperbolic stories are used to entertain. This reflects a cultural appreciation for vivid expression, but in serious contexts like politics or science, it can lead to mistrust, emphasizing the importance of context.

Related Concepts:

• Гипербола (hyperbole)
• Преуменьшать (to understate)
• Возвеличивать (to glorify)