Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gasp'

English Word: gasp

Key Russian Translations:

• вздохнуть [vzˈdoxnʊtʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used to express sudden surprise or shock]
• ахнуть [ɐxˈnutʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in contexts of sudden exclamation or shock, often more exclamatory]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variants are commonly used in everyday conversation and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like 'сказать').

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage. For 'вздохнуть', it's B1; for 'ахнуть', it's also B1 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вздохнуть: [vzˈdoxnʊtʲ]

ахнуть: [ɐxˈnutʲ]

Note on вздохнуть: The initial 'вз' cluster can be challenging for English speakers; it's pronounced with a soft 'v' sound followed by 'z'. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Note on ахнуть: This word often involves a sharp, guttural 'ах' sound, similar to an English "ahh" but more abrupt; be mindful of the soft sign (ʲ) affecting the final consonant.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To draw in breath suddenly and sharply, often due to surprise, shock, or exertion

Translation(s) & Context:

• вздохнуть - Used in informal or narrative contexts to describe a reflexive reaction, such as in stories or everyday dialogue.
• ахнуть - Applied in more exclamatory or dramatic situations, like in theater or emotional conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Она вздохнула от неожиданного шума в темноте.

  She gasped at the unexpected noise in the dark. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context, highlighting surprise.)

• Когда он увидел призрака, он ахнул и отпрянул назад.

  When he saw the ghost, he gasped and jumped back. (Here, it demonstrates an exclamatory reaction in a narrative setting.)

• После долгого бега, он вздохнул, пытаясь восстановить дыхание.

  After a long run, he gasped, trying to catch his breath. (This illustrates usage in a physical exertion context.)

• Дети ахнули, когда фокусник вытащил кролика из шляпы.

  The children gasped when the magician pulled a rabbit out of the hat. (Shows collective reaction in an informal, fun scenario.)

• В фильме героиня вздохнула, услышав плохие новости.

  In the movie, the heroine gasped upon hearing the bad news. (Demonstrates usage in media or scripted dialogue.)

To express a sudden intake of breath in pain or astonishment

Translation(s) & Context:

• вздохнуть - Common in emotional or physical pain contexts, often interchangeable with English "gasp".
• ахнуть - More for astonishment, with a connotation of vocalization.

Usage Examples:

• Он вздохнул от боли, когда ударился о стол.

  He gasped in pain when he hit the table. (Focuses on physical reaction.)

• Аудитория ахнула, увидев финальный трюк.

  The audience gasped upon seeing the final trick. (Emphasizes group astonishment.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'вздохнуть' and 'ахнуть' are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have specific infinitive forms. 'Вздохнуть' is a perfective verb, while 'ахнуть' can be used in imperfective contexts. Below is a table for 'вздохнуть' as an example; 'ахнуть' follows similar patterns.

For 'ахнуть', it is less commonly inflected but follows the same first-conjugation rules, e.g., present: ахну, ахнёшь. These verbs do not have irregular forms but require attention to aspect (perfective for completed actions).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • задохнуться (to choke or gasp for air; more intense, often implying suffocation)
  • вскрикнуть (to cry out; similar in surprise but more vocal)
• Antonyms:
  • выдохнуть (to exhale; opposite action of inhaling sharply)
  • успокоиться (to calm down; contrasts with the sudden reaction)

Related Phrases:

• Вздохнуть с облегчением - To sigh with relief (Used when tension is released after a shock.)
• Ахнуть от страха - To gasp in fear (Common in horror contexts, implying a startled reaction.)
• Вздохнуть полной грудью - To take a deep breath (Literal or metaphorical for relief after gasping.)

Usage Notes:

• Russian translations like 'вздохнуть' directly correspond to the English 'gasp' in surprise or exertion contexts, but they often carry a more emotional or narrative weight. Choose 'вздохнуть' for subtle reactions and 'ахнуть' for dramatic ones.
• These verbs are typically informal; in formal writing, opt for descriptive phrases like 'резко вдохнуть'.
• Grammar note: Always conjugate based on subject and tense; perfective aspect (e.g., 'вздохнуть') implies a completed action, which aligns well with English simple past.
• When multiple translations exist, select based on context—'ахнуть' for exclamatory gasps, 'вздохнуть' for quieter ones.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'вздохнуть' with 'вздыхать' (to sigh repeatedly), leading to misuse in single-event contexts. Error: "Он вздыхает от удивления" (incorrect for a one-time gasp). Correct: "Он вздохнул от удивления." Explanation: 'Вздыхать' is imperfective and implies ongoing action.
• Another error is improper conjugation, e.g., using 'вздохнуть' in the wrong person: "Я вздохнёт" (incorrect). Correct: "Я вздохну." Explanation: Match the verb ending to the subject for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, gasping reactions like 'вздохнуть' or 'ахнуть' are often depicted in literature and folklore to convey deep emotion, such as in fairy tales where characters react to supernatural events. This reflects a cultural emphasis on expressive language in storytelling, helping to build dramatic tension.

Related Concepts:

• вдох (inhale)
• выдох (exhale)
• удивление (surprise)