Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gormandize'

English Word: gormandize

Key Russian Translations:

• объедаться /ɐˈbʲjɪdətsə/ - [Informal, Reflexive Verb]

Frequency: Low (This verb is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in informal contexts related to eating habits.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2 on CEFR scale; involves understanding reflexive verbs and imperfective aspects, which can be challenging for learners.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

объедаться: /ɐˈbʲjɪdətsə/

Note on объедаться: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈbʲjɪ/). Be mindful of the palatalized 'bʲ' sound, which is a common difficulty for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To eat greedily or in large quantities

Translation(s) & Context:

• объедаться - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe excessive eating, often with a humorous or negative connotation, such as at parties or during holidays.

Usage Examples:

• Он объедался сладостями на вечеринке и потом почувствовал себя плохо.

  He gormandized on sweets at the party and then felt sick afterward.

• Дети объедались фруктами в саду, не замечая времени.

  The children gormandized on fruits in the garden, oblivious to the time.

• После долгого дня работы она объедалась домашней едой, чтобы расслабиться.

  After a long day at work, she gormandized on home-cooked food to unwind.

• Во время фестиваля люди объедались традиционными блюдами, забывая о диете.

  During the festival, people gormandized on traditional dishes, forgetting about their diets.

• Он всегда объедался в ресторанах, но потом жалел об этом.

  He always gormandized in restaurants but regretted it later.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

объедаться is an imperfective reflexive verb in Russian, meaning it describes ongoing or habitual actions. It follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns for reflexive verbs (ending in -ся). The base form is "объедаться," and it changes based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Unlike some irregular verbs, this one is fairly regular but requires attention to reflexive endings.

Note: The past tense changes based on gender (e.g., объедался for masculine, объедалась for feminine). This verb does not have perfective forms like "объесться," which implies completion and could be a related but distinct usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наедаться (naedat'sya) - Similar but less intense, often used for simply eating one's fill; more neutral in tone.
  • лакомиться (lakomit'sya) - Implies indulging in delicious food, with a positive connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • воздерживаться (vozderzhivat'sya) - To abstain or hold back from eating.
  • голодать (golodat') - To starve or go hungry.

Related Phrases:

• объедаться до отвала - Literally "to gormandize until full"; used to describe eating excessively until one is completely stuffed. (English equivalent: "to eat until you're stuffed")
• объедаться вкусностями - "To gormandize on delicacies"; refers to indulging in tasty treats. (English equivalent: "to gorge on goodies")
• не объедаться, а наслаждаться - "Not to gormandize, but to savor"; advises enjoying food mindfully rather than overeating. (English equivalent: "to eat with moderation and enjoyment")

Usage Notes:

объедаться is a reflexive verb in Russian, always ending in -ся, which emphasizes the action on oneself. It directly corresponds to the English "gormandize" in meaning but is more commonly used in informal or colloquial settings, such as family conversations or humorous anecdotes. Unlike English, where "gormandize" is rare and formal, this Russian equivalent is straightforward for describing overeating. Be cautious with context: it's often negative, implying gluttony, so avoid it in polite or professional discussions. When choosing between translations like объедаться and наедаться, opt for the former if the emphasis is on excessiveness.

• Grammar tip: Always pair it with the appropriate aspect; use imperfective for ongoing actions.
• Context guide: In Russian culture, food is central, so this verb might appear in discussions about holidays like New Year's, where overeating is common.

Common Errors:

English learners often mistake the reflexive ending and forget to include -ся, saying "объедать" instead of "объедаться," which changes the meaning to "to feed someone excessively." Correct usage: Always use the full form with -ся. For example:

• Error: "Я объедать вчера." (Incorrect: Misses the reflexive aspect and is grammatically wrong.)
• Correct: "Я объедался вчера." (Proper reflexive form for "I gormandized yesterday.") Explanation: The reflexive particle -ся is essential for verbs like this to indicate the action is self-directed.
• Another common error: Overusing it in formal writing; instead, use more neutral terms like "наедаться" in professional contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, food and hospitality are deeply intertwined, so verbs like объедаться often appear in contexts involving feasts or family gatherings. For instance, during traditional holidays like Maslenitsa or New Year's, overeating is somewhat normalized and even celebrated as part of communal joy. However, it can carry a subtle critique of gluttony, reflecting historical influences from Orthodox traditions that emphasize moderation.

Related Concepts:

• наедаться
• лакомиться
• воздерживаться
• голод