Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flatter'

English Word: flatter

Key Russian Translations:

• льстить /lʲˈstʲitʲ/ - [Informal, Common in everyday conversations]

Frequency: Medium (This word is moderately common in Russian literature and discussions about social interactions, but not as frequent as basic everyday verbs.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp basic conjugations, but mastering nuances requires contextual practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

льстить: /lʲˈstʲitʲ/

Note on льстить: The initial 'л' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'l' as in 'lute'. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To praise someone excessively, often insincerely, to gain favor.

Translation(s) & Context:

• льстить - Used in informal or neutral contexts when describing insincere compliments, such as in social or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда льстит начальнику, чтобы получить повышение.

  He always flatters his boss to get a promotion.

• Не стоит льстить ей; она предпочитает честность.

  Don't flatter her; she prefers honesty.

• Льстить политикам – распространенная тактика в предвыборной кампании.

  Flattering politicians is a common tactic in election campaigns.

• Дети иногда льстят родителям, чтобы избежать наказания.

  Children sometimes flatter their parents to avoid punishment.

• В этой книге автор льстит героям, чтобы подчеркнуть их добродетели.

  In this book, the author flatters the heroes to emphasize their virtues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"льстить" is a verb of the second conjugation in Russian, which means it follows a regular pattern but has specific inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. It is imperfective, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a table outlining its key conjugations:

Note: This verb does not have irregular forms, but pay attention to the soft consonants in pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: подхалимствовать (to fawn or butter up, often with a more negative connotation of sycophancy), заискивать (to ingratiate oneself, used in contexts of seeking favor through flattery).
• Antonyms: критиковать (to criticize, directly opposite in social interactions), оскорблять (to insult, for a more extreme contrast).

Related Phrases:

• льстить себе – To flatter oneself; often used to describe self-deception or overconfidence.
• не льстить, а говорить правду – Not to flatter but to tell the truth; a phrase emphasizing honesty over insincerity.
• льстить ушам – To flatter the ears; implies pleasing someone with sweet words, often in literary contexts.

Usage Notes:

"льстить" directly corresponds to the English "flatter" in its insincere praise sense, but it carries a slightly more negative undertone in Russian, implying manipulation. It is versatile across contexts but is more common in informal speech or literature. When choosing between synonyms like "подхалимствовать," opt for "льстить" in everyday scenarios to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Grammatically, ensure correct verb conjugation based on subject and tense for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "льстить" in the wrong tense, e.g., saying "Я льстить" instead of "Я льщу."
  Correct: "Я льщу начальнику." (I flatter the boss.)
  Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number; beginners often forget present tense forms.
• Mistake: Confusing it with similar verbs like "любить" (to love), leading to sentences like "Я люблю льстить" when meaning "I enjoy flattering."
  Correct: "Мне нравится льстить." (I enjoy flattering.)
  Explanation: "любить" means "to love," not "to like," so use "нравиться" for preferences to avoid miscommunication.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, flattery ("льстить") is often viewed with suspicion, stemming from historical contexts like the Soviet era where insincere praise could be a tool for survival or advancement. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on authenticity and directness in interpersonal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• подхалим
• завистливость
• искренность