Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'excite'

English Word: excite

Key Russian Translations:

• возбуждать [vɐzˈbuʐdətʲ] - [Formal; often used in scientific or emotional contexts]
• волновать [vɐlˈnovətʲ] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday conversations]

Frequency: Medium (This verb and its translations appear regularly in Russian literature, media, and daily speech, but not as commonly as basic verbs like "to be" or "to go".)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (Based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual nuances, which may vary slightly between translations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возбуждать: [vɐzˈbuʐdətʲ]

Note on возбуждать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("bu"), and the "zh" sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a quick, rolling quality.

волновать: [vɐlˈnovətʲ]

Note on волновать: Stress is on the second syllable ("nov"), and the "v" sound is similar to English "v" in "victory". This word has a more fluid pronunciation, making it easier for beginners.

Audio: [Audio placeholder for возбуждать.mp3] (Click to play pronunciation)

Audio: [Audio placeholder for волновать.mp3] (Click to play pronunciation)

Meanings and Usage:

1. To cause strong feelings of enthusiasm, energy, or stimulation (general sense).

Translation(s) & Context:

• волновать - Used in informal settings to describe emotional stirring, such as in social or personal interactions.
• возбуждать - Applied in more formal or scientific contexts, like psychology or physiology, to mean stimulating excitement.

Usage Examples:

• Эта новость волнует всех в городе.

  This news excites everyone in the city.

• Книга возбудила в нём интерес к путешествиям.

  The book excited his interest in traveling.

• Её речь волновала аудиторию, заставляя всех аплодировать.

  Her speech excited the audience, making everyone applaud.

• Фильм возбудил в зрителях сильные эмоции.

  The film excited strong emotions in the viewers.

• Музыка волнует душу, как ничто иное.

  Music excites the soul like nothing else.

2. To arouse sexually or physically (more specific sense, which may require caution in usage).

Translation(s) & Context:

• возбуждать - Primarily used in intimate or medical contexts to mean sexual excitement.

Usage Examples:

• Этот аромат может возбуждать определённые инстинкты.

  This scent can excite certain instincts.

• Фильм предназначен для взрослых и может возбуждать зрителей.

  The film is for adults and may excite viewers.

• Музыка в клубе часто designed to возбуждать толпу.

  The music in the club is often designed to excite the crowd.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. "Возбуждать" and "волновать" are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a conjugation table for each:

For "возбуждать" (Imperfective):

For "волновать" (Imperfective):

Note: These verbs do not have irregular forms but follow standard first-conjugation patterns in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • возбуждать: стимулировать (stimulirovat') - More neutral, used for intellectual stimulation.
  • волновать: тревожить (trevozhit') - Implies worry or agitation, with a subtle emotional difference.
• Antonyms:
  • успокаивать (uspokaivat') - To calm or soothe.
  • угнетать (ugnetat') - To depress or suppress.

Related Phrases:

• Возбуждать интерес - To excite interest; often used in educational or marketing contexts.
• Волновать душу - To excite the soul; a poetic phrase referring to deep emotional impact.
• Сильно возбудить - To greatly excite; implies intensity in physical or emotional stimulation.

Usage Notes:

"Возбуждать" is a more formal equivalent to "excite" and should be used cautiously in conversational Russian, as it can carry sexual connotations. In contrast, "волновать" is safer for everyday use and aligns closely with the emotional sense of "excite" in English. When choosing between translations, consider the context: opt for "волновать" in social settings and "возбуждать" in professional or scientific ones. Always pay attention to verb aspect in Russian sentences, as imperfective forms like these describe ongoing actions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "возбуждать" with sexual meanings when intending a general sense: English learners might overuse it, leading to awkwardness. Correct usage: Use "волновать" for non-sexual excitement. Example of error: "Эта игра возбуждает детей" (implies something inappropriate); Correct: "Эта игра волнует детей" (This game excites the children in a fun way).

• Forgetting conjugation: Beginners often use the infinitive form incorrectly in sentences. Error: "Я возбуждать" (incorrect); Correct: "Я возбуждаю" (I excite).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "волновать" are often linked to emotional depth in literature and art, reflecting the Slavic emphasis on inner feelings. For instance, Russian classics like Tolstoy use such terms to explore human passions, highlighting how excitement can drive personal growth or conflict.

Related Concepts:

• стимулировать (stimulirovat')
• возбудимость (vozbudimost')
• эмоциональность (emotsionalnost')