Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'running'

English Word: running

Key Russian Translations:

• Бег [bʲɛɡ] - [Noun, Formal, Used for the activity or sport of running]
• Бежать [ˈbʲeʐʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in infinitive or conjugated forms to describe the action]
• Бегающий [bʲɪˈɡawʂɨj] - [Adjective, Informal, Plural forms may apply, Used to describe something that runs continuously]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about sports, health, and daily activities, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and noun declensions. For 'Бежать' as a verb, it's B1; for 'Бег' as a noun, it's A2.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Бег: [bʲɛɡ] (The 'б' is a voiced bilabial stop, and the stress is on the first syllable. Note that the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative.)

Note on Бег: This word has a soft 'б' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalization; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Бежать: [ˈbʲeʐʲɪtʲ] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'ж' is a voiced palatal fricative, often mispronounced as 'zh' in English.)

Note on Бежать: In fast speech, the ending can vary slightly by dialect; be aware of the imperative forms for commands.

Бегающий: [bʲɪˈɡawʂɨj] (The adjective form has a rolling 'г' and a soft ending; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on Бегающий: This is an active participle; pronunciation may soften in casual speech, especially in southern Russian dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The act of moving swiftly on foot (as a gerund or noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бег - Used in formal or sports-related contexts, such as describing exercise routines or races.
• Бежать - Used in informal, action-oriented contexts, like narrating events or giving instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Я наслаждаюсь бегом каждое утро. (I enjoy running every morning.)

  Translation: I enjoy running every morning. (This shows 'бег' in a habitual, positive context.)

• Дети бегают по парку, полные энергии. (The children are running through the park, full of energy.)

  Translation: The children are running through the park, full of energy. (Illustrates 'бежать' in a plural, lively scenario.)

• Бегающий механизм в машине нуждается в ремонте. (The running mechanism in the machine needs repair.)

  Translation: The running mechanism in the machine needs repair. (Demonstrates 'бегающий' as an adjective in a technical context.)

• После работы я предпочитаю быстрый бег для расслабления. (After work, I prefer a quick run for relaxation.)

  Translation: After work, I prefer a quick run for relaxation. (Shows 'бег' in a personal, routine usage.)

• Не стой на месте, беги вперёд! (Don't stand still, run forward!)

  Translation: Don't stand still, run forward! (Uses 'бежать' in an imperative, motivational context.)

Meaning 2: Continuous or ongoing motion (metaphorical or literal)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Бегающий - Used metaphorically for something that moves persistently, like a device or animal.

Usage Examples:

• Ветер создаёт бегающий шум в листьях. (The wind creates a running noise in the leaves.)

  Translation: The wind creates a running noise in the leaves. (This example uses 'бегающий' in a descriptive, environmental context.)

• Его мысли бегают, как в лабиринте. (His thoughts are running like in a maze.)

  Translation: His thoughts are running like in a maze. (Metaphorical use of 'бежать' to describe mental activity.)

• Бегающий поток воды в реке не останавливается. (The running stream of water in the river doesn't stop.)

  Translation: The running stream of water in the river doesn't stop. (Applies 'бегающий' to natural phenomena.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'Бег' (noun, masculine): It follows standard first-declension patterns for masculine nouns. It is invariable in some contexts but changes with cases.

For 'Бежать' (verb, imperfective): It is a first-conjugation verb with irregular aspects. Conjugations vary by tense, person, and number.

For 'Бегающий' (adjective): It declines like other adjectives, with variations for gender, number, and case. It is regular but can be irregular in comparative forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Бросок (for quick running; implies a throw or dash, often in sports)
  • Трусить (more casual, for jogging; differs by implying a slower pace)
  • Мчаться (for fast running; used in poetic or dramatic contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Стоять (to stand still)
  • Идти (to walk slowly)
  • Останавливаться (to stop)

Related Phrases:

• Быстрый бег (Quick running) - A common phrase for sprinting in sports or emergencies; implies urgency.
• Бег трусцой (Jogging) - Refers to light, steady running for exercise; often used in fitness contexts.
• Бежать сломя голову (To run headlong) - An idiom meaning to rush recklessly; conveys haste and risk.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'running' as a gerund often corresponds to 'бег' for nouns or 'бежать' for verbs, but choose based on context: use 'бег' for static descriptions (e.g., "running a marathon") and 'бежать' for dynamic actions. Be mindful of formality—'бежать' is more casual, while 'бег' suits written or formal speech. Grammatically, verbs like 'бежать' require aspect agreement; pair with perfective 'побежать' for completed actions. English learners should note that Russian verbs conjugate extensively, so practice with sentences to master inflections.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'бег' as a verb (e.g., saying "Я бег" instead of "Я бегу"). Correct: "Я бегу" (I am running). Explanation: 'Бег' is a noun, not a verb; this confuses learners due to English's flexibility with gerunds.
• Mistake: Forgetting conjugation in sentences (e.g., "Он бег" instead of "Он бежит"). Correct: "Он бежит". Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject in person and number, unlike English gerunds.
• Mistake: Overusing 'бегающий' in non-adjective contexts (e.g., as a noun). Correct: Use 'бегун' for a runner. Explanation: 'Бегающий' is specifically an adjective; misuse can make sentences awkward.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'бег' is often linked to endurance and resilience, as seen in traditions like long-distance running in harsh winters or events like the Moscow Marathon. It symbolizes perseverance in literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where running motifs represent escape or pursuit, reflecting historical themes of survival in vast landscapes.

Related Concepts:

• Марафон (Marathon)
• Спорт (Sports)
• Энергия (Energy)