Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'indulge'

English Word: indulge

Key Russian Translations:

• Побаловать [pɐbɐlə'vatʲ] - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts for self-treats]
• Удовлетворить [udɐvlʲetvɐ'rʲitʲ] - [Formal, applicable in more serious or psychological contexts]
• Наслаждаться [nɐslɐ'ʐdatʲsʲjə] - [Neutral, emphasizing enjoyment]

Frequency: Medium - This word and its translations are commonly encountered in casual conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the concept, but mastering inflections and contextual usage requires practice. For "Побаловать", it might be slightly easier (A2) due to its informal nature, while "Удовлетворить" could be B2 for its formal connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

Побаловать: [pɐbɐlə'vatʲ]

Удовлетворить: [udɐvlʲetvɐ'rʲitʲ]

Наслаждаться: [nɐslɐ'ʐdatʲsʲjə]

Note on Побаловать: The stress is on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. It often has a diminutive, affectionate tone.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something, often as a treat.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Побаловать - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as treating oneself to food or leisure.
• Удовлетворить - Applied in formal contexts, like satisfying desires in a psychological or professional sense.

Usage Examples:

• Я иногда побаловаю себя шоколадом после тяжелого дня.

  I sometimes indulge myself with chocolate after a tough day.

• Она решила побаловать детей новой игрой в парке.

  She decided to indulge the children with a new game in the park.

• Чтобы удовлетворить свои желания, он ушел в отпуск.

  To indulge his desires, he went on vacation.

• Наслаждаться моментом – это лучший способ побаловать себя.

  Enjoying the moment is the best way to indulge oneself.

Meaning 2: To yield to or gratify someone else's wishes, often excessively.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Побаловать - In familial or casual settings, implying spoiling someone mildly.
• Наслаждаться - Less direct, used when the indulgence leads to shared enjoyment.

Usage Examples:

• Родители часто побалывают ребенка сладостями, но это не всегда полезно.

  Parents often indulge the child with sweets, but it's not always healthy.

• Он побалует гостей роскошным ужином на празднике.

  He will indulge the guests with a luxurious dinner at the party.

• Удовлетворить запросы клиента – это ключ к успеху в бизнесе.

  Indulging the client's requests is key to success in business.

• Наслаждаться обществом друзей – это способ побаловать себя в выходные.

  Indulging in the company of friends is a way to treat oneself on weekends.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which in Russian undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Побаловать" and "Удовлетворить" are imperfective verbs, while "Наслаждаться" is also imperfective and reflexive.

For nouns or adjectives derived from these (e.g., "удовольствие" from "удовлетворить"), they follow standard declension patterns, but "indulge" itself doesn't directly translate to an uninflected word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Угощать (ugoshchat') - Similar to treating, but more about offering to others.
  • Порадовать (poradovat') - To please or delight, with a focus on emotional satisfaction.
• Antonyms:
  • Отрицать (otrinit') - To deny or refuse.
  • Избегать (izbegat') - To avoid or abstain.

Related Phrases:

• Побаловать себя - To treat oneself; often used for self-care routines.
• Удовлетворить потребности - To satisfy needs; common in psychological or economic contexts.
• Наслаждаться жизнью - To enjoy life; a phrase emphasizing hedonistic indulgence.

Usage Notes:

"Indulge" corresponds most closely to "побаловать" in informal English-Russian exchanges, where it's about light-hearted self-gratification. Use "удовлетворить" for more formal or deeper psychological meanings, such as in therapy or business. Be mindful of context: in Russian, these verbs often imply a temporary or occasional action, unlike the potentially habitual connotation in English. For grammar, ensure subject-verb agreement and aspect choice (imperfective for ongoing actions). When choosing between translations, opt for "побаловать" in everyday speech and "удовлетворить" in written or professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "побаловать" in formal contexts, e.g., saying "Я удовлетворил клиента побаловав" instead of "Я удовлетворил клиента, угощая". Correct: "Я удовлетворил клиента, предоставив ему услуги". Explanation: "Побаловать" is too casual; it doesn't fit professional scenarios, leading to a mismatch in tone.

• Error: Forgetting reflexive forms, e.g., saying "Наслаждать" instead of "Наслаждаться". Correct: Always use "Наслаждаться" for self-indulgence. Explanation: Russian reflexive verbs require the "-ся" suffix, which English learners often omit, altering the meaning.

• Error: Misconjugating tenses, e.g., using present for past actions like "Я побалую вчера". Correct: "Я побаловал вчера". Explanation: Russian verbs must match the timeline accurately, unlike English where context can clarify.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, indulgence like "побаловать" often ties to hospitality and family traditions, such as treating guests with food during holidays. This reflects the cultural value of "душевность" (warm-heartedness), where self-indulgence is seen as a balanced way to cope with life's hardships, rather than a guilty pleasure as in some Western contexts.

Related Concepts:

• Удовольствие (pleasure)
• Лакомство (treat or delicacy)
• Самоограничение (self-restraint)