Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hug'

English Word: hug

Key Russian Translations:

• обнять [ɐbˈnʲatʲ] - [Informal, Verb]
• объятие [ɐbˈjætʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations but not as frequent as basic greetings)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, suitable for beginners; verb forms may vary slightly in complexity)

Pronunciation (Russian):

обнять: [ɐbˈnʲatʲ]

Note on обнять: The stress is on the second syllable; the 'нʲ' sound is palatalized, which can be tricky for English speakers—similar to the 'n' in "news" but softer.

объятие: [ɐbˈjætʲɪje]

Note on объятие: Pronounce the 'й' as a soft 'y' sound; it's a noun with a clear emphasis on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To hold someone tightly with your arms, especially to show affection. (Verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обнять - Used in informal, emotional settings like family reunions or comforting friends.

Usage Examples:

• Я обнял свою маму после долгой разлуки. (Ya obnyal svoyu mamu posle dolgos razluki.)

  I hugged my mom after a long separation. (Shows emotional reunion context.)

• Дети обняли дедушку на празднике. (Deti obnyali dedushku na prazdnike.)

  The children hugged their grandfather at the holiday. (Illustrates family affection in a festive setting.)

• Он обнял её, чтобы утешить. (On obnyal yeu, chtoby uteshit'.)

  He hugged her to comfort her. (Demonstrates use in a supportive, everyday scenario.)

• Мы обнялись на прощание. (My obnyalis' na proshchaniye.)

  We hugged goodbye. (Highlights mutual action in parting situations.)

2. An act of holding someone tightly, often as a gesture of love. (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• объятие - Used in more formal or descriptive contexts, such as in literature or when discussing emotions.

Usage Examples:

• Его объятие было теплым и искренним. (Yego ob'yatiye bylo teplym i iskrennim.)

  His hug was warm and sincere. (Emphasizes the emotional quality in a descriptive sentence.)

• Объятие — это способ выразить любовь. (Ob'yatiye — eto sposob vyrazit' lyubov'.)

  A hug is a way to express love. (Shows the noun in a general, explanatory context.)

• В культуре объятие часто используется в семьях. (V kul'ture ob'yatiye chasto ispol'zuetsya v sem'yakh.)

  In culture, a hug is often used in families. (Illustrates cultural usage in broader statements.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For обнять (verb, first conjugation), it follows regular patterns but has palatalization in some forms. Here's a table of its key inflections:

For объятие (neuter noun, third declension), it is fairly regular with no major irregularities:

• Singular Nominative: объятие
• Plural Nominative: объятия (ob'yatiya)
• It changes by case, e.g., Genitive Singular: объятия (ob'yatiya).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: прижать (prizhdat' - to press close, with a more intense connotation); обхватить (obkhvatit' - to embrace fully)
• Antonyms: отпустить (otpusit' - to let go); оттолкнуть (ottolknut' - to push away)

Related Phrases:

• Обнять крепко (Obnyat' krepko) - To hug tightly; used for strong, affectionate embraces.
• Тёплое объятие (Tyoploye ob'yatiye) - A warm hug; implies comfort and emotional warmth.
• Обняться на прощание (Obnyat'sya na proshchaniye) - To hug goodbye; a common farewell gesture in Russian culture.

Usage Notes:

The verb "обнять" is the most direct translation for the action of hugging and is preferred in informal contexts, while "объятие" as a noun is better for describing the act itself. English speakers should note that Russian verbs like "обнять" require agreement with the subject in person and number, and it's often used with prepositions like "с" (with) for mutual hugs. Choose "обнять" for dynamic actions and "объятие" for static descriptions. Be mindful of formality: "обнять" can sound intimate, so use it carefully in professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the infinitive "обнять" incorrectly in sentences, e.g., saying "Я обнять мама" instead of "Я обнял маму". Correct: Always conjugate based on tense and subject; explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject, unlike English infinitives.
• Error: Confusing with similar verbs, e.g., using "прижать" when "обнять" is needed, which might imply force. Correct: Use "обнять" for affectionate hugs; explanation: "Прижать" has a connotation of pressing, so it changes the nuance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, hugging ("обнять" or "объятие") is a common way to express warmth among family and close friends, especially during holidays like New Year's. However, in formal or public settings, Russians might be more reserved compared to Western cultures, so hugs are often private gestures symbolizing deep emotional bonds.

Related Concepts:

• поцелуй (poceluy - kiss)
• обнять и поцеловать (obnyat' i pocelovat' - to hug and kiss)
• ласкать (laskat' - to caress)