Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gamble'

English Word: gamble

Key Russian Translations:

• рисковать [rʲɪˈskəvətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts for taking risks]
• риск [rʲɪsk] - [Noun, Masculine, Formal, Refers to a risky venture or bet]
• азартная игра [ɐˈzartnəjə ɪˈɡra] - [Noun Phrase, Informal, Specifically for gambling activities]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about risk-taking, finance, or leisure, but not as frequent as basic verbs in everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'рисковать' as it involves verb conjugation; A2 for 'риск' as a simple noun)

Pronunciation (Russian):

рисковать: [rʲɪˈskəvətʲ]

риск: [rʲɪsk]

азартная игра: [ɐˈzartnəjə ɪˈɡra]

Note on рисковать: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'тʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a verb: To take a risky action or bet (e.g., in gambling or decision-making)

Translation(s) & Context:

• рисковать - Used in informal or personal contexts, such as everyday decisions or financial risks.
• азартная игра - Applied in contexts involving games of chance, like casinos.

Usage Examples:

• Он рискует всем своим состоянием, чтобы выиграть в лотерею.

  He is gambling with all his fortune to win the lottery.

• Иногда приходится рисковать, чтобы достичь успеха в бизнесе.

  Sometimes you have to gamble to achieve success in business.

• В этой азартной игре люди рискуют большими суммами денег.

  In this gambling game, people risk large amounts of money.

• Не стоит рисковать здоровьем ради быстрой прибыли.

  Don't gamble with your health for quick profit.

As a noun: A risky action, bet, or venture

Translation(s) & Context:

• риск - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as finance or strategy.
• азартная игра - Common in recreational or legal discussions about gambling.

Usage Examples:

• Этот риск может стоить ему карьеры.

  This gamble could cost him his career.

• Азартная игра — это не просто развлечение, а настоящий риск.

  Gambling is not just entertainment; it's a real gamble.

• Инвесторы часто принимают риск, чтобы получить высокую отдачу.

  Investors often take a gamble to get high returns.

• В жизни каждый день несет в себе какой-то риск.

  Every day in life involves some kind of gamble.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'рисковать' (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows regular patterns with inflections based on tense, person, and number. It is an imperfective verb.

For 'риск' (a masculine noun of the second declension), it has standard inflections:

• Nominative: риск
• Genitive: риска
• Dative: риску
• Accusative: риск
• Instrumental: риском
• Prepositional: риске

'Азартная игра' is a phrase where 'азартная' (adjective) agrees with 'игра' (feminine noun) and follows standard adjective declension.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ставить на кон (to bet) - More specific to wagering.
  • покидаться (to venture) - Informal, with a slight nuance of impulsiveness.
  • охотиться за удачей (to hunt for luck) - Poetic, used in gambling contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • избегать риска (to avoid risk)
  • быть осторожным (to be cautious)

Related Phrases:

• Играть в азартные игры - To engage in gambling; often used for casino activities.
• Принимать на свой риск - To take at one's own risk; implies personal responsibility in risky decisions.
• Рисковать жизнью - To gamble with one's life; in extreme adventure or danger contexts.

Usage Notes:

'Рисковать' directly corresponds to the verb form of 'gamble' in English, emphasizing voluntary risk-taking, but it's more neutral and can apply to non-gambling scenarios like business. Use 'азартная игра' for contexts involving games of chance, as it's more formal and culturally specific in Russia. Be mindful of grammatical gender: 'риск' is masculine, so adjectives must agree. In informal speech, 'рисковать' is preferred, while formal writing might opt for phrases like 'идти на риск' to avoid direct repetition.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'рисковать' with 'риск' by using the noun as a verb (e.g., saying "Я риск" instead of "Я рискую").
  Correct: Use the proper verb form: "Я рискую своим временем." (I am gambling with my time.)
  Explanation: 'Риск' is a noun and cannot conjugate like a verb; this mistake stems from direct word-for-word translation.
• Error: Overusing 'азартная игра' in non-gambling contexts (e.g., for business risks).
  Correct: Use 'рисковать' for general risks: "Он рискует в бизнесе" instead of "Он азартная игра в бизнесе."
  Explanation: 'Азартная игра' specifically means 'gambling game,' so it doesn't fit metaphorical uses.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gambling and risk-taking are often associated with historical events like the 19th-century card games in literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's 'The Gambler'), reflecting themes of fate and addiction. 'Рисковать' carries a pragmatic connotation, emphasizing personal agency, which aligns with Russia's cultural emphasis on resilience in uncertain times, such as during economic shifts.

Related Concepts:

• удача (luck)
• ставка (bet)
• азарт (excitement or thrill)