Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'incognito'

English Word: incognito

Key Russian Translations:

• инкогнито [ɪn.kɐɡˈnʲi.tə] - [Formal, Literary]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in formal, literary, or specialized contexts; not common in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding borrowed words and their integration into Russian, which may require familiarity with foreign loanwords.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

инкогнито: [ɪn.kɐɡˈnʲi.tə]

Note on инкогнито: The stress falls on the third syllable ("nʲi"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the Russian palatalized 'нʲ'. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: In a way that conceals one's true identity, often for privacy or disguise.

Translation(s) & Context:

• инкогнито - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe traveling or acting without revealing one's identity, such as in espionage or historical narratives.

Usage Examples:

• Он путешествовал инкогнито, чтобы избежать ненужного внимания.

  He traveled incognito to avoid unwanted attention.

• В этом романе герой предстает инкогнито, скрывая своё истинное происхождение.

  In this novel, the hero appears incognito, hiding his true origin.

• Король решил посетить город инкогнито, чтобы увидеть повседневную жизнь подданных.

  The king decided to visit the city incognito to see the everyday life of his subjects.

• Инкогнито — это способ для знаменитостей сохранять приватность в публичных местах.

  Incognito is a way for celebrities to maintain privacy in public places.

• Во время конференции она выступала инкогнито, чтобы избежать предвзятого отношения.

  During the conference, she spoke incognito to avoid biased treatment.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

инкогнито is a neuter noun borrowed from Latin/French via English and is generally indeclinable in Russian, meaning it does not change form based on case, number, or gender. This is common for many foreign loanwords in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • анонимно (anonymously) - More general, used for actions without revealing identity in digital contexts.
  • под псевдонимом (under a pseudonym) - Specifically for using a false name in writing or art.
• Antonyms:
  • открыто (openly) - Used when something is done without concealment.
  • явно (publicly) - Emphasizes visibility and acknowledgment.

Related Phrases:

• путешествовать инкогнито - To travel incognito; commonly used in adventure or historical stories to describe secret journeys.
• выступать инкогнито - To perform incognito; refers to artists or speakers hiding their identity for effect.
• жить инкогнито - To live incognito; implies a lifestyle of anonymity, often for safety reasons.

Usage Notes:

инкогнито directly corresponds to the English "incognito" as a borrowed word, but it's more formal in Russian and often appears in literary or journalistic contexts rather than casual speech. English speakers should note that it's typically used as an adverb or adjective in phrases, and it's not inflected. When choosing between synonyms like "анонимно," opt for инкогнито if the context involves deliberate disguise in social or public settings. Be mindful of the stress on the third syllable for natural pronunciation.

Common Errors:

• Mispronouncing the word: English learners often stress the wrong syllable, saying [ɪnˈkɒɡ.nɪ.təʊ] instead of the Russian [ɪn.kɐɡˈnʲi.tə]. Correct usage: Practice the palatalized 'нʲ' sound to avoid sounding unnatural. Error example: "Он путешествовал [wrong stress] инкогнито." Correct: "Он путешествовал инкогнито [with proper stress]."

• Overusing in informal contexts: Learners might use it in everyday conversation, but it's rare; instead, use simpler synonyms. Error example: Saying "Я пойду инкогнито в магазин" (I’ll go incognito to the store), which sounds awkward. Correct: Use "анонимно" or rephrase entirely for casual talk.

Cultural Notes:

инкогнито often carries connotations from Russian literature, such as in works by Pushkin or Dostoevsky, where characters use it for intrigue or to escape societal pressures. In modern Russian culture, it's associated with historical figures like spies during the Cold War, reflecting themes of secrecy and identity in Russian history.

Related Concepts:

• маскировка (disguise)
• анонимность (anonymity)
• псевдоним (pseudonym)