Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hiss'

English Word: hiss

Key Russian Translations:

• шипеть [ʂɨˈpʲetʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used for sounds like snakes or steam]
• шипение [ʂɨˈpʲenʲje] - [Noun, Neutral, Refers to the act or sound of hissing]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday language, especially in descriptions of sounds or animals)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, as it involves basic verb and noun forms, but pronunciation may pose challenges for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шипеть: [ʂɨˈpʲetʲ]

Note on шипеть: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to the 'sh' in 'sheep' but with a more rolled quality. Be careful with the soft 'п' followed by 'е', which affects vowel pronunciation.

шипение: [ʂɨˈpʲenʲje]

Note on шипение: This noun ends with a soft 'e' sound, common in Russian neuter nouns; stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The sound made by a snake or similar

Translation(s) & Context:

• шипеть - Used in contexts describing animal sounds or escaping gas, e.g., in nature or machinery descriptions.
• шипение - Refers to the ongoing sound, often in literary or descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• Змея шипит, предупреждая об опасности.

  The snake hisses, warning of danger.

• Пар из чайника начал шипеть, сигнализируя, что вода закипела.

  The steam from the kettle started hissing, signaling that the water had boiled.

• В тишине леса мы услышали лёгкое шипение.

  In the forest silence, we heard a light hissing.

• Дети imitating змею, начали шипеть для забавы.

  The children, imitating a snake, started hissing for fun.

Meaning 2: A sharp, sibilant sound in speech or expression

Translation(s) & Context:

• шипеть - In figurative contexts, like whispering angrily or making a disapproving sound.

Usage Examples:

• Она шипит на него в гневе, не желая привлекать внимание.

  She hisses at him in anger, not wanting to draw attention.

• В толпе протестующих люди шипели, выражая своё недовольство.

  In the crowd of protesters, people hissed, expressing their discontent.

• Актер шипит реплику, чтобы передать тайну.

  The actor hisses his line to convey secrecy.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "шипеть" (verb, imperfective):

For "шипение" (noun, neuter, 2nd declension): It follows standard neuter noun patterns and is invariable in gender but changes by case and number. Example: Nominative sg. - шипение; Genitive sg. - шипения; Plural: шипения (nominative pl.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • свистеть (to whistle, similar for wind or air sounds)
  • шептать (to whisper, for soft speech)
• Antonyms:
  • молчать (to be silent)

Related Phrases:

• Шипеть как змея - A phrase meaning "to hiss like a snake," used metaphorically for threats (e.g., in arguments).
• Шипение пара - Refers to "the hissing of steam," common in descriptions of engines or cooking.
• Шипящий звук - "Hissing sound," often in technical or everyday contexts like electronics.

Usage Notes:

"Шипеть" directly corresponds to the English "hiss" as a verb for sounds, but it's more versatile in Russian for both literal and figurative uses. Use it in informal contexts; for formal writing, opt for descriptive phrases. When choosing between "шипеть" and "шипение," select based on whether you're describing an action (verb) or a noun. Grammatically, "шипеть" is an imperfective verb, so it pairs well with ongoing actions in past or present tenses.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "шипеть" with "свистеть" (to whistle). Incorrect: Он свистит как змея. Correct: Он шипит как змея. Explanation: "Свистеть" implies a higher-pitched sound, like whistling, while "шипеть" is for sibilant, lower sounds.
• Error: Forgetting verb conjugations, e.g., using base form in sentences. Incorrect: Змея шипеть. Correct: Змея шипит. Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject in person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the sound of hissing (e.g., from a snake) often symbolizes danger or deception in folklore, such as in stories from Russian fairy tales where snakes represent cunning characters. This can add a layer of imagery in literature or idioms.

Related Concepts:

• змея (snake)
• свист (whistle)
• шепот (whisper)