Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'glance'

English Word: glance

Key Russian Translations:

• Взгляд [vzɡlʲad] - [Informal, Common in everyday conversation]
• Быстрый взгляд [ˈbɨstrɨj vzgla:d] - [Formal, Used in descriptive or literary contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word is commonly used in both spoken and written Russian, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "look" or "see").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; learners need to understand noun declensions and basic sentence structures, but it's not overly complex for those familiar with Russian grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Взгляд: [vzɡlʲad]

Быстрый взгляд: [ˈbɨstrɨj vzgla:d]

Note on Взгляд: The "г" sound is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it softens before the "л" in some dialects. Pronounce it with a quick, light emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A quick or brief look at something

Translation(s) & Context:

• Взгляд - Used in informal settings, such as casual observations or fleeting attention.
• Быстрый взгляд - Applied in more formal or narrative contexts, emphasizing speed or brevity.

Usage Examples:

• Она бросила быстрый взгляд на часы. (Ona brosila bystryj vzgljad na chasy.)

  She threw a quick glance at the clock. (This example shows the word in a simple, everyday context involving time-checking.)

• Взгляд в окно показал, что идет дождь. (Vzgljad v okno pokazal, chto idyot dozhd'.)

  A glance out the window showed that it was raining. (Here, it demonstrates the word in a observational sentence structure.)

• Он украдкой кинул взгляд на ее лицо. (On ukradko kinul vzgljad na yeyo litso.)

  He stealthily threw a glance at her face. (This illustrates usage in a secretive or emotional context.)

• Быстрый взгляд на документы подтвердил подозрения. (Bystryj vzgljad na dokumenty podtverdil podozreniya.)

  A quick glance at the documents confirmed the suspicions. (Example in a professional or investigative setting.)

Meaning 2: To look briefly or indirectly

Translation(s) & Context:

• Взгляд - Informal, often implying a momentary action in social interactions.
• Быстрый взгляд - Formal, used in instructions or descriptions of behavior.

Usage Examples:

• Не пялься, просто брось взгляд. (Ne pjal'sja, prosto bros' vzgljad.)

  Don't stare, just glance. (This highlights contrast with staring in casual advice.)

• Быстрый взгляд в зеркало убедил его, что все в порядке. (Bystryj vzgljad v zerkalo ubedil yego, chto vsyo v poryadke.)

  A quick glance in the mirror convinced him that everything was fine. (Shows usage in self-reflection or preparation.)

• Взгляд на карту помог сориентироваться. (Vzgljad na kartu pomog soriyentirovatsya.)

  A glance at the map helped to get oriented. (Example in a navigational context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Взгляд" is a masculine noun in Russian, and it follows the standard declension pattern for third-declension nouns. It is invariable in the plural form but changes by case in the singular. "Быстрый взгляд" is a phrase where "быстрый" (quick) is an adjective that agrees with "взгляд" in gender, number, and case.

For "Быстрый взгляд", the adjective "быстрый" changes: e.g., Genitive: Быстрого взгляда. This phrase is not inflected as a single unit but follows standard adjective-noun agreement.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Взгляд (similar to "взгляд", but can imply a more directed look)
  • Мимолетный обзор (fleeting overview, used in formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Долгий взгляд (long gaze, implying extended observation)
  • Пристальный осмотр (intense examination)

Related Phrases:

• Бросить взгляд - To throw a glance (Used for a quick, casual look; e.g., in hurried situations).
• Краем глаза - Out of the corner of the eye (Implies a peripheral or sneaky glance).
• Взгляд украдкой - A stealthy glance (Common in secretive contexts, like spying or flirting).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "взгляд" directly corresponds to the English "glance" as a noun, but it's often used in phrases to convey action, similar to verbs in English. Choose "взгляд" for informal, everyday scenarios and "быстрый взгляд" for more precise or formal writing. Be mindful of grammatical gender and case agreements, as Russian requires adjectives and nouns to match. This word is versatile across contexts but avoid it in highly technical descriptions where "осмотр" (examination) might be more appropriate.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "взгляд" without proper case agreement, e.g., saying "взгляд на" instead of "взглядом на" in instrumental contexts. Correct: "Взглядом на карту" (With a glance at the map). Explanation: Russian requires precise case usage to indicate relationships, which English speakers often overlook.
• Mistake: Confusing it with "смотреть" (to look), leading to over-literal translations. Correct: Use "бросить взгляд" for a brief action, not just "смотреть". Explanation: "Смотреть" implies sustained looking, while "взгляд" is momentary.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "взгляд" can carry subtle social connotations, such as in literature or film where a quick glance might signify unspoken emotions or tension, as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy. It's often associated with the intensity of interpersonal interactions in Slavic traditions, where eye contact plays a key role in communication etiquette.

Related Concepts:

• Осмотр
• Глаз
• Наблюдение