Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'heed'

English Word: heed

Key Russian Translations:

• внимать [vnʲɪˈmatʲ] - [Formal, often used in literary or official contexts]
• учитывать [uˈt͡ɕɪtvətʲ] - [Formal, Informal; implies considering or taking into account]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in written Russian, such as literature and formal speech, but less frequent in everyday casual conversation).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and formal structures. For 'внимать', it's moderately challenging due to irregular aspects; for 'учитывать', it's similar but more straightforward in imperfective forms).

Pronunciation (Russian):

внимать: [vnʲɪˈmatʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'н' is palatalized, which is a common feature in Russian verbs.)

учитывать: [uˈt͡ɕɪtvətʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; note the soft 'т' sound.)

Note on внимать: This verb has a somewhat archaic or literary feel, so pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech, with the 'м' softening. Beginners should practice the palatalization to avoid sounding unnatural.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To pay attention to advice, warnings, or suggestions.

Translation(s) & Context:

• внимать - Used in formal or reflective contexts, such as literature or philosophical discussions, to emphasize careful listening or consideration.
• учитывать - Applied in practical, everyday situations, like decision-making, where one must take factors into account.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда внимает предупреждениям, чтобы избежать ошибок.

  He always heeds warnings to avoid mistakes. (This example shows 'внимать' in a formal, preventive context.)

• В этой ситуации важно учитывать мнение экспертов.

  In this situation, it's important to heed the opinion of experts. (Here, 'учитывать' demonstrates practical application in decision-making.)

• Молодые люди часто не внимают советам старших.

  Young people often don't heed the advice of their elders. (This illustrates 'внимать' in an interpersonal, generational context.)

• Чтобы преуспеть, ей пришлось учитывать все возможные риски.

  To succeed, she had to heed all possible risks. (This uses 'учитывать' in a professional or strategic setting.)

• Внимание! Внимайте указателям на дороге.

  Attention! Heed the road signs. (A more imperative use of 'внимать' in safety instructions.)

To take notice of something important or urgent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• внимать - In urgent or emphatic scenarios, like warnings or calls to action.
• учитывать - When integrating external factors into plans or thoughts.

Usage Examples:

• Дети должны внимать урокам истории.

  Children should heed the lessons of history. (This shows 'внимать' in an educational context.)

• Бизнесмен учитывает рыночные тенденции перед инвестированием.

  The businessman heeds market trends before investing. (This uses 'учитывать' in a business scenario.)

• Не внимай сплетням, они только вредят.

  Don't heed gossip; it only causes harm. (Emphasizes 'внимать' in advice against negative influences.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'внимать' and 'учитывать' are verbs, so they undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Внимать' is imperfective and can be irregular in some forms, while 'учитывать' is also imperfective but follows more standard patterns.

Note: These verbs do not change for number in the infinitive form and are aspectually imperfective, meaning they describe ongoing actions. 'Внимать' is less commonly used in perfective forms, but a perfective counterpart like 'вслушаться' exists for specific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • обращать внимание (obraschat' vnimanie) - More literal, focuses on directing attention; often used interchangeably but slightly more neutral.
  • слушать (slushat') - Emphasizes auditory attention; suitable for informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • игнорировать (ignorirovat') - Directly opposes by meaning to ignore completely.
  • не учитывать (ne uchityvat') - Neglects or fails to consider.

Related Phrases:

• Внимать голосу разума - Heed the voice of reason (A phrase used in philosophical or self-reflective contexts to mean listening to logical thinking).
• Учитывать обстоятельства - Heed the circumstances (Common in decision-making, emphasizing the need to consider external factors).
• Внимательно внимать - Heed carefully (An emphatic phrase for paying extra attention in critical situations).

Usage Notes:

'Внимать' is a more formal and somewhat archaic equivalent to 'heed' in English, often appearing in written or elevated speech, while 'учитывать' is versatile for practical scenarios. Choose 'внимать' for contexts involving moral or advisory attention, and 'учитывать' for analytical ones. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: both are imperfective, so they suit ongoing actions. In formal writing, pair these with adverbs like 'внимательно' for emphasis. English users should note that Russian verbs require agreement in person and number, which can differ from English's more flexible structure.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'внимать' with 'слушать': Learners might use 'слушать' (to listen) when 'внимать' is needed for deeper attention. Error: "Он слушает советы" (incorrect for 'heed'). Correct: "Он внимает советам" – Explanation: 'Слушать' implies passive hearing, while 'внимать' conveys active consideration.
• Overusing in informal speech: Non-native speakers might force 'внимать' in casual talk, where 'учитывать' or simpler verbs fit better. Error: "Внимай этому!" in a friendly chat. Correct: "Учти это!" – Explanation: 'Внимать' sounds overly formal and can come across as pretentious.
• Ignoring conjugation: Forgetting to change forms, e.g., using infinitive in present tense. Error: "Он внимать" (incorrect). Correct: "Он внимает" – Explanation: Russian verbs must conjugate properly to match subject and tense.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'внимать' often carries a connotation of wisdom and reflection, rooted in literary traditions like those of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, where characters are urged to heed inner voices or moral guidance. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on introspection and collective wisdom, contrasting with more action-oriented English uses of 'heed'.

Related Concepts:

• внимание (vnimanie) - Attention
• совет (sovet) - Advice
• риск (risk) - Risk (often paired with 'учитывать' in decision-making)