Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gratify'

English Word: gratify

Key Russian Translations:

• удовлетворить [ʊdɐvlʲɪtʲvɐˈrʲitʲ] - [Formal; used in contexts requiring satisfaction or fulfillment]
• заспокоить [zɐspɐˈkojɪtʲ] - [Informal; often implies calming or appeasing, less common for 'gratify' in a neutral sense]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its forms appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in literature, psychology, and customer service contexts, but not as frequently as basic verbs like 'делать').

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic conjugations, but irregular aspects may require practice. For 'удовлетворить', it's straightforward; for 'заспокоить', similar difficulty.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

удовлетворить: [ʊdɐvlʲɪtʲvɐˈrʲitʲ]

заспокоить: [zɐspɐˈkojɪtʲ]

Note on удовлетворить: The stress falls on the third syllable ('vo-'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants; pronounce it with a clear 'r' sound. Variations in regional accents may soften the 't' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To give pleasure or satisfaction, often by fulfilling a desire or need.

Translation(s) & Context:

• удовлетворить - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as satisfying a request or need, e.g., in business or personal relationships.
• заспокоить - Applied in informal settings where 'gratify' implies soothing or pacifying, like emotional satisfaction.

Usage Examples:

• Этот подарок удовлетворил все её ожидания. (This gift gratified all her expectations.)

  English: This gift satisfied all her expectations, showing how 'удовлетворить' works in a positive, achievement-oriented context.

• Его речь заспокорила аудиторию, удовлетворив их любопытство. (His speech gratified the audience, satisfying their curiosity.)

  English: His speech gratified the audience, satisfying their curiosity, demonstrating combined usage in a public speaking scenario.

• Чтобы удовлетворить клиента, мы изменили заказ. (To gratify the client, we modified the order.)

  English: To gratify the client, we modified the order, illustrating 'удовлетворить' in a service industry context.

• Она заспокорила своё желание сладкого, съев фрукт. (She gratified her craving for sweets by eating fruit.)

  English: She gratified her craving for sweets by eating fruit, showing an informal, self-directed use.

• Удовлетворить потребность в знаниях — это ключ к успеху. (Gratifying the need for knowledge is the key to success.)

  English: Gratifying the need for knowledge is the key to success, emphasizing 'удовлетворить' in an abstract, motivational context.

Secondary Meaning: To indulge or yield to something, potentially with a sense of excess.

Translation(s) & Context:

• удовлетворить - In contexts implying overindulgence, though less common; used carefully to avoid negative connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Он удовлетворил своё эго, несмотря на риски. (He gratified his ego, despite the risks.)

  English: He gratified his ego, despite the risks, highlighting potential negative implications in personal behavior.

• Удовлетворить импульс — не всегда мудро. (Gratifying an impulse isn't always wise.)

  English: Gratifying an impulse isn't always wise, showing 'удовлетворить' in a reflective, advisory context.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, and Russian verbs follow conjugation patterns based on aspect (perfective/imperfective). 'Удовлетворить' is a perfective verb, while related imperfective forms exist for ongoing actions.

For 'заспокоить', it follows a similar perfective pattern but is less irregular. Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Порадовать (poradovat') - To delight, often with a more emotional connotation.
  • Удовольствовать (udovol'stvovat') - Similar to gratify, but implies more sensory pleasure; subtle difference in intensity.
• Antonyms:
  • Разочаровать (razocharovat') - To disappoint, used when expectations are not met.
  • Огорчить (ogorchit') - To upset, applicable in emotional contexts.

Related Phrases:

• Удовлетворить потребность (udovletvorit' potrebnost') - To satisfy a need; used in psychology or daily life to mean fulfilling basic requirements.
• Заспокоить совесть (zaspokoil' sovest') - To gratify one's conscience; implies easing guilt in moral discussions.
• Удовлетворить любопытство (udovletvorit' lyubopytstvo) - To gratify curiosity; common in educational or exploratory contexts.

Usage Notes:

In English, 'gratify' often carries a positive or neutral tone, but in Russian, 'удовлетворить' can sound more formal and is best used in contexts like professional services or personal fulfillment. Choose 'заспокоить' for informal, emotional scenarios. Be mindful of aspect: use perfective forms like 'удовлетворить' for completed actions. Grammatically, these verbs require the accusative case for direct objects, e.g., 'удовлетворить запрос' (to gratify a request).

• Avoid direct word-for-word translation; 'gratify' might not always align perfectly, so context guides the choice.
• In spoken Russian, these words are common in narratives or advice, but less so in casual chit-chat.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'удовлетворить' with 'удовлетворять' by mixing perfective and imperfective aspects. For example, an incorrect use might be: "Я удовлетворяю его каждый день" when meaning a one-time action (should be "Я удовлетворил его"). Correct: Use 'удовлетворить' for completed events. Another error is overusing in informal speech; e.g., saying "Я удовлетворил друга" instead of "Я порадовал друга" for a lighter tone, which can sound overly formal.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'удовлетворить' often tie into themes of emotional restraint and fulfillment, reflecting historical influences from literature (e.g., Dostoevsky's works). It's not just about pleasure but achieving a deeper sense of balance, which contrasts with more individualistic Western views of gratification.

Related Concepts:

• Удовольствие (udovol'stvie) - Pleasure
• Потребность (potrebnost') - Need
• Радость (radost') - Joy