Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'impress'

English Word: impress

Key Russian Translations:

• впечатлить [vʲpʲɪˈt͡ɕatlʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used in contexts to describe making a strong impact]
• произвести впечатление [prəɪˈzveːstʲɪ ɪzˈprʲeːstʲvʲe̞nʲɪje̞] - [Informal, phrase commonly used in everyday conversation]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, media, and daily conversations, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "to be").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and perfective aspects, which may vary slightly between translations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

впечатлить: [vʲpʲɪˈt͡ɕatlʲɪtʲ]

произвести впечатление: [prəɪˈzveːstʲɪ ɪzˈprʲeːstʲvʲe̞nʲɪje̞]

Note on впечатлить: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'т' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. This verb has perfective forms that alter pronunciation slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To produce a strong and lasting effect on someone (e.g., to impress with achievements)

Translation(s) & Context:

• впечатлить - Used in formal or professional contexts, such as describing a performance or skill that leaves a deep impression.
• произвести впечатление - Common in informal settings, like social interactions or casual reviews, to express a general impact.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь впечатлила аудиторию, заставив всех задуматься о важности экологии.

  His speech impressed the audience, making everyone think about the importance of ecology.

• Эта картина произвела на меня сильное впечатление, особенно её яркие цвета.

  This painting made a strong impression on me, especially its vibrant colors.

• Молодой артист смог впечатлить жюри своим уникальным стилем исполнения.

  The young artist managed to impress the jury with his unique performance style.

• Её достижения в науке произвели впечатление на коллег, но она осталась скромной.

  Her achievements in science impressed her colleagues, but she remained modest.

• Чтобы впечатлить потенциального работодателя, подготовьте портфолио с лучшими работами.

  To impress a potential employer, prepare a portfolio with your best works.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the verb "впечатлить" (perfective), it follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. It is irregular in some aspects due to its perfective form. Below is a table for its key inflections:

For "произвести впечатление", it is a phrase where "произвести" is a verb (perfective of "производить") and conjugates similarly, while "впечатление" is a neuter noun that inflects by case and number (e.g., nominative: впечатление; genitive: впечатления).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • удивить (udivit') - To surprise, often with a positive connotation.
  • заставить восхититься (zasatit' voskhitit'sya) - To make someone admire, implying awe.
• Antonyms:
  • разочаровать (razocharovat') - To disappoint.
  • оставить равнодушным (ostavit' ravnodushnym) - To leave indifferent, no emotional impact.

Related Phrases:

• Произвести неизгладимое впечатление (Proizvesti neizgladimoe vpechatlenie) - To make an indelible impression; used for something unforgettable.
• Впечатлить кого-то (Vpechatlit' kogo-to) - To impress someone; a direct phrase for personal impact.
• Сделать хорошее впечатление (Sdelat' khoroshee vpechatlenie) - To make a good impression; common in social or professional contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations for "impress" like "впечатлить" are perfective verbs, which emphasize completion, unlike the more neutral English verb. Use "впечатлить" in formal writing or speeches, but opt for "произвести впечатление" in everyday talk to sound more natural. Be mindful of aspect: pair it with perfective contexts (e.g., after an action is done). If the English "impress" implies ongoing effort, consider imperfective alternatives like "впечатлять". Choose between translations based on context—e.g., personal interactions favor phrases over single verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "впечатлить" in the wrong aspect, such as treating it as imperfective (e.g., saying "Я впечатляю людей" when meaning a one-time event).

  Correct: "Я впечатлил аудиторию" (for a completed action). Explanation: Russian verbs have aspects; "впечатлить" is perfective, so it's for finished impressions, not ongoing ones.

• Error: Omitting the necessary case agreements, e.g., "впечатлить аудитория" instead of "впечатлить аудиторию".

  Correct: "впечатлить аудиторию" (accusative case). Explanation: The object must agree in case, which is a common slip for English speakers used to less inflection.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, impressing others through modesty or intellectual depth is often valued more than overt displays, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. Phrases like "произвести впечатление" can carry a subtle nuance of sincerity versus superficiality, reflecting the cultural emphasis on authenticity in social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• удивление (udivlenie) - Surprise
• восхищение (voshchishchenie) - Admiration
• эффект (effekt) - Effect