Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'extol'

English Word: extol

Key Russian Translations:

• хвалить [xvaˈlʲitʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]
• восхвалять [vɐsxvaˈlʲatʲ] - [Formal, literary or elevated contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The verb is encountered in standard Russian texts and conversations but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "говорить".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; involves understanding verb conjugations and context-dependent usage, which may vary by translation.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хвалить: [xvaˈlʲitʲ]

восхвалять: [vɐsxvaˈlʲatʲ]

Note on восхвалять: The initial "вос-" prefix can be tricky for learners, as it softens the pronunciation and emphasizes intensification; be mindful of the palatalized 'л' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To praise enthusiastically or highly

Translation(s) & Context:

• хвалить - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as complimenting friends or in casual reviews.
• восхвалять - Applied in formal, written, or rhetorical contexts, like speeches or literature, to denote exalted praise.

Usage Examples:

• Друзья часто хвалят его за талант в музыке.

  Friends often extol him for his talent in music.

• В газетах восхваляют нового лидера за его реформы.

  In newspapers, they extol the new leader for his reforms.

• Она любит хвалить своих коллег на собраниях, чтобы поднять настроение.

  She likes to extol her colleagues at meetings to lift the mood.

• Критики восхваляют этот фильм как шедевр современного кино.

  Critics extol this film as a masterpiece of modern cinema.

• Родители хвалят детей за хорошие оценки, но восхваляют только за выдающиеся достижения.

  Parents extol children for good grades, but only highly praise them for outstanding achievements.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "хвалить" and "восхвалять" are imperfective verbs in Russian, meaning they express ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns but have irregularities in certain forms due to palatalization. Below is a table for their key inflections:

Note: These verbs do not change in the infinitive form and are invariable in the past tense for gender (e.g., хвалил/хвалила). For perfective aspects, related forms like "похвалить" (to praise once) exist, but they are not direct equivalents.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: восславлять (to glorify), превозносить (to exalt) - восславлять is often used in poetic contexts for more dramatic praise.
• Antonyms: критиковать (to criticize), порицать (to condemn) - критиковать is more common in everyday use for balanced critique.

Related Phrases:

• Хвалить кого-то до небес - Literally "to praise someone to the skies"; means to praise excessively, often in hyperbolic contexts.
• Восхвалять заслуги - "To extol merits"; used in formal settings like awards or historical discussions.
• Публично хвалить - "To publicly praise"; implies open commendation, common in professional environments.

Usage Notes:

"Extol" corresponds most closely to "восхвалять" in formal English-Russian translation, as it conveys high praise, while "хвалить" is better for everyday, informal scenarios. Be cautious with context: in Russian, these verbs can imply insincerity if overused, so they're often paired with specific objects (e.g., "хвалить за что-то" - praise for something). For learners, choose "хвалить" in spoken language and "восхвалять" in writing to match the enthusiastic tone of "extol". Grammatically, both require agreement with the subject in person and number.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хвалить" in formal writing, e.g., saying "Я хвалить президента" instead of "Я восхваляю президента". Correct: The proper form is "Я восхваляю" for formal praise. Explanation: This mixes informal and formal registers, which can sound unprofessional; always assess the context to select the right verb.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Он хвалитс" instead of "Он хвалит". Correct: "Он хвалит". Explanation: Russian verbs end in specific patterns; omitting the final 'т' is a common slip for English speakers due to simpler verb forms in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, excessive praise like that implied by "extol" or "восхвалять" is often associated with Soviet-era rhetoric or literary traditions (e.g., in works by Pushkin), where heroes are exalted to heroic status. However, in modern usage, it can carry a ironic tone, reflecting Russia's historical skepticism toward overt flattery due to its complex political history.

Related Concepts:

• похвала (praise as a noun)
• восхищение (admiration)
• превозношение (exaltation)