Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'gush'

English Word: gush

Key Russian Translations:

• хлестать [xlʲeˈstət] - [Informal, Verb, Often used for sudden forceful flow]
• поток [pɐˈtok] - [Formal, Noun, Refers to a steady or sudden stream]

Frequency: Medium (Common in descriptive literature and everyday conversation about liquids or emotions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for verbs like хлестать; A2 for nouns like поток, based on CEFR)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хлестать: [xlʲeˈstət]

Note on хлестать: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch." Stress falls on the second syllable.

поток: [pɐˈtok]

Note on поток: The 'о' in the stressed syllable is pronounced as a mid-back rounded vowel; no major pronunciation pitfalls for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To flow out suddenly and forcefully (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хлестать - Used in contexts involving liquids or emotions bursting out, such as water from a pipe or tears.

Usage Examples:

• Вода хлестала из разбитой трубы, заливая всю улицу.

  Water was gushing from the broken pipe, flooding the entire street.

• Слезы хлестали по ее щекам во время эмоциональной речи.

  Tears were gushing down her cheeks during the emotional speech.

• Нефть хлестала из скважины, создавая опасную ситуацию.

  Oil was gushing from the well, creating a hazardous situation.

• Ветер хлестал дождем по окнам дома.

  The wind was gushing rain against the house windows.

Meaning 2: A sudden, abundant flow or outpouring (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• поток - Applied to physical flows like water or metaphorical ones like information or emotions.

Usage Examples:

• Поток воды из водопада был впечатляющим зрелищем.

  The gush of water from the waterfall was an impressive sight.

• Ее слова вызвали поток эмоций в аудитории.

  Her words triggered a gush of emotions in the audience.

• Поток информации в интернете иногда overwhelming.

  The gush of information on the internet can sometimes be overwhelming.

• После дождя образовался поток в реке.

  After the rain, a gush formed in the river.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For хлестать (verb, imperfective): This is a first-conjugation verb with regular inflections. It changes based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for present tense inflections:

Note: It has a perfective counterpart "хлестнуть" for completed actions.

For поток (noun, masculine, 2nd declension): This noun is regular and inflects by case and number. It does not have irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: брызгать (to splash), изливаться (to pour out) - брызгать is more for smaller sprays, while изливаться implies a continuous flow.
• Antonyms: капать (to drip) - Implies a slow, steady release rather than a sudden gush.

Related Phrases:

• Хлестать кровью - A phrase meaning "to gush with blood," often used in dramatic contexts like injuries; implies profuse bleeding.
• Поток слов - "A gush of words," referring to speaking rapidly or excessively, common in conversational settings.
• Хлестать дождем - "To gush with rain," describing heavy, pouring rain in weather reports.

Usage Notes:

"Gush" as "хлестать" is more vivid and informal in Russian, often used in narrative or emotional descriptions, unlike its English counterpart which can be neutral. For "поток," it's a formal noun that pairs well with abstract concepts. Choose "хлестать" for dynamic, action-oriented contexts and "поток" for sustained flows. Be mindful of aspect in verbs: use imperfective for ongoing actions. In formal writing, prefer nouns like "поток" over verbs.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "хлестать" in formal contexts where a milder verb like "текать" (to flow) is more appropriate. Correct: Вода текла из крана (Water was flowing from the tap). Explanation: "Хлестать" implies forcefulness, which might exaggerate the situation.
• Mistake: Confusing inflections, e.g., saying "хлестат" instead of "хлестет" for third person singular. Correct: Вода хлестет из трубы. Explanation: Russian verbs must agree in person and number; this error stems from irregular exposure to conjugation patterns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, words like "хлестать" are often used to evoke intense, dramatic scenes, reflecting the cultural emphasis on emotional depth and natural forces. "Поток" can symbolize overwhelming change, as in historical contexts like the flow of refugees during wars, highlighting Russia's vast landscapes and turbulent history.

Related Concepts:

• река (river)
• буря (storm)
• эмоциональный всплеск (emotional surge)