Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'flinch'

English Word: flinch

Key Russian Translations:

• вздрогнуть [vzdrɐˈɡnutʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversation]
• отпрянуть [ɐtˈprʲænutʲ] - [Formal, often in literary or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are encountered in general Russian texts but not as frequently as basic verbs like "go" or "say".

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level should grasp the concept, though mastering verb conjugations may require practice. For "вздрогнуть", it's straightforward; for "отпрянуть", slight variations in formality add nuance.

Pronunciation (Russian):

вздрогнуть: [vzdrɐˈɡnutʲ]

отпрянуть: [ɐtˈprʲænutʲ]

Note on вздрогнуть: The stress falls on the third syllable, and the initial "вз" can be tricky for English speakers as it's a voiceless consonant cluster; practice with native audio to avoid softening it.

Note on отпрянуть: Pronounce the "р" as a trilled or rolled 'r', which is common in Russian; this verb often has a more emphatic delivery in spoken language.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make a sudden, involuntary movement due to surprise, pain, or fear (Primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вздрогнуть - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as reacting to a loud noise; common in spoken Russian.
• отпрянуть - Applied in more formal or narrative contexts, like describing a character's reaction in a story; implies a stronger recoil.

Usage Examples:

• Он вздрогнул от неожиданного громкого звука.

  He flinched at the unexpected loud noise.

• Девушка отпрянула, когда увидела паука на стене.

  The girl flinched when she saw the spider on the wall.

• Во время фильма он вздрогнул от прыжка монстра.

  During the movie, he flinched at the monster's jump scare.

• Солдат отпрянул от взрыва, инстинктивно защищаясь.

  The soldier flinched from the explosion, instinctively protecting himself.

• Ребёнок вздрогнул и сжал кулаки от боли.

  The child flinched and clenched his fists in pain.

To show hesitation or reluctance (Less common, metaphorical usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• вздрогнуть - In figurative speech, to indicate mental flinch, e.g., in decision-making; informal and expressive.

Usage Examples:

• Он вздрогнул перед важным решением, но всё-таки согласился.

  He flinched before making the important decision but agreed anyway.

• В переговорах она отпрянула от предложения, сочтя его рискованным.

  In negotiations, she flinched from the proposal, considering it risky.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Вздрогнуть" is an imperfective verb (indicating a sudden action), while "отпрянуть" can be used similarly. Russian verbs have regular and irregular patterns; these follow standard patterns for perfective verbs.

Note: These verbs do not change in aspect within themselves but can pair with imperfective forms like "вздрагивать" for ongoing actions. They are regular in most conjugations.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • содрогнуться - Similar to flinch but implies a more intense shudder; used for stronger emotional reactions.
  • дрогнуть - A milder version, often for slight movements; more common in poetic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • не дрогнуть - To not flinch at all, indicating bravery or composure.
  • спокойно стоять - To stand calmly, contrasting with any reaction.

Related Phrases:

• вздрогнуть от страха - Flinch from fear; used to describe a instinctive reaction to something frightening.
• отпрянуть назад - Flinch back; common in physical or defensive contexts, like avoiding an object.
• вздрогнуть и оглянуться - Flinch and look around; implies a startled response followed by awareness.

Usage Notes:

"Flinch" corresponds most directly to "вздрогнуть" in informal settings and "отпрянуть" in formal ones. English speakers should note that Russian verbs often require perfective aspects for completed actions, so choose based on context—e.g., use "вздрогнуть" for a single event. Be mindful of register: "вздрогнуть" is versatile for daily speech, while "отпрянуть" suits narratives. Grammatically, these verbs are intransitive and don't take direct objects, unlike some English equivalents.

• In questions or commands, pair with adverbs for emphasis, e.g., "Почему ты вздрогнул?" (Why did you flinch?).
• When selecting between translations, opt for "вздрогнуть" for emotional/physical surprise and "отпрянуть" for avoidance or retreat.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "вздрогнуть" with "дрожать" (to tremble continuously), leading to misuse in tense. For example:

• Error: Using "дрожать" for a single flinch, e.g., "Он дрожал от шума" (incorrectly implying ongoing shaking).
• Correct: "Он вздрогнул от шума" - This specifies a sudden action. Explanation: "Дрожать" is imperfective and denotes duration, while "вздрогнуть" is perfective for instant reactions.
• Another error: Overusing "отпрянуть" in casual talk, where "вздрогнуть" is more natural; this can sound overly formal.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions involving flinching like "вздрогнуть от страха" often appear in literature and folklore, reflecting themes of surprise or vulnerability. For instance, in classic tales by Pushkin, characters' reactions highlight human instincts, emphasizing emotional depth in storytelling rather than just physical responses.

Related Concepts:

• содрогнуться
• дрогнуть
• вздрагивать