Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hobnob'

English Word: hobnob

Key Russian Translations:

• общаться [ɐbˈʂʲat͡sə] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday social contexts]
• водить компанию [vɐˈdʲitʲ kɐmˈpanʲɪju] - [Formal; often in professional or high-society settings]

Frequency: Medium (The verb 'общаться' is fairly common in Russian conversations, while 'водить компанию' is less frequent but appears in literary or formal texts.)

Difficulty: B1 for 'общаться' (Intermediate, as it involves basic verb conjugation); B2 for 'водить компанию' (Upper-Intermediate, due to its idiomatic nature and context-specific usage).

Pronunciation (Russian):

общаться: [ɐbˈʂʲat͡sə]

Note on общаться: The stress falls on the second syllable ('ʂʲat͡sə'). Be careful with the palatalized 'ш' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in fast speech may soften the consonants.

водить компанию: [vɐˈdʲitʲ kɐmˈpanʲɪju]

Note on водить компанию: Stress on the first syllable of 'водить'. This phrase is pronounced as a unit, with a natural pause between words in formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To socialize or mix informally with influential people

Translation(s) & Context:

• общаться - Used in casual or informal settings, such as parties or networking events, to describe ongoing social interactions.
• водить компанию - Applied in more formal contexts, like business or elite social circles, implying a sustained relationship.

Usage Examples:

• Он любит общаться с влиятельными людьми на конференциях.

  He loves to hobnob with influential people at conferences.

• В Москве она водит компанию с известными артистами и политиками.

  In Moscow, she hobnobs with famous artists and politicians.

• Молодые предприниматели часто общаются в кафе, чтобы расширить связи.

  Young entrepreneurs often hobnob in cafes to expand their networks.

• Его карьера выросла, потому что он водит компанию с влиятельными бизнесменами.

  His career grew because he hobnobs with influential businessmen.

• На приёме она предпочла общаться с гостями из высшего общества.

  At the reception, she preferred to hobnob with guests from high society.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Общаться' is an imperfective verb, which undergoes regular conjugation based on tense, aspect, and person. It is a second-conjugation verb with some irregularities in certain forms. 'Водить компанию' is a phrase where 'водить' is also a verb (imperfective) that conjugates, while 'компанию' is a noun that declines.

For 'компанию' (accusative form of 'компания', a feminine noun), it declines as follows: Nominative - компания; Genitive - компании; Dative - компании; Accusative - компанию; Instrumental - компанией; Prepositional - компании. Note that 'общаться' does not change based on gender or number in its infinitive form but conjugates fully as shown.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • встречаться (meet regularly; more casual than общаться)
  • дружить (befriend; implies deeper emotional ties)
  • светский общаться (socialize in high society; specific to formal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • избегать (avoid; directly opposes social interaction)
  • отгораживаться (isolate oneself; used for withdrawing from society)

Related Phrases:

• Общаться в обществе - To mingle in society; often used for attending social events.
• Водить дружбу - To keep company or maintain friendships; implies ongoing relationships.
• Быть в кругу - To be in the circle (of influential people); a common idiom for social networking.

Usage Notes:

'Общаться' is a versatile verb that directly corresponds to 'hobnob' in informal English contexts, but it lacks the connotation of exclusivity often implied in English. Use 'водить компанию' for more formal or historical settings, as it evokes a sense of sustained social engagement. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: 'общаться' is imperfective, so pair it with perfective verbs like 'побеседовать' for completed actions. In professional scenarios, 'водить компанию' might be preferred to emphasize status, but avoid overusing it in everyday speech to prevent sounding archaic.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'общаться' without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "я общать" instead of "я общаюсь". Correct: Always conjugate based on subject (я общаюсь, ты общаешься). This stems from confusing it with non-conjugating words.

• Error: Misapplying 'водить компанию' in informal contexts, like saying it for casual chats. Correct: Reserve it for formal or literary use; for everyday hobnobbing, use 'общаться с кем-то'. Explanation: English learners often equate it directly with 'hobnob' without considering Russian's formal/informal divide.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'общаться' reflects the importance of communal interactions, often tied to traditions like gatherings at dachas or social events. 'Hobnobbing' in Russia may involve 'blat' (informal networks for favors), highlighting how social connections can influence personal and professional life, a legacy from Soviet-era practices.

Related Concepts:

• дружба (friendship)
• сеть (network)
• светское общество (high society)