Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inscribe'

English Word: inscribe

Key Russian Translations:

• надписать /nədˈpʲisətʲ/ - [Formal, Verb]
• выгравировать /vɨɡrəvʲɪˈrovatʲ/ - [Formal, Used for engraving on hard surfaces]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and artistic contexts, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and perfective aspects in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

надписать: /nədˈpʲisətʲ/

выгравировать: /vɨɡrəvʲɪˈrovatʲ/

Note on надписать: The stress falls on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'p' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Note on выгравировать: Pronunciation involves a rolled 'r' and a soft 'v'; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To write or engrave words, names, or messages on a surface, often for dedication or permanence.

Translation(s) & Context:

• надписать - Used in contexts like dedicating books or signing objects; common in formal or literary settings.
• выгравировать - Applied to engraving on metals, jewelry, or permanent materials; often in artistic or professional scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Автор надписал книгу своему поклоннику на презентации. (The author inscribed the book to his fan at the presentation.)

  The author inscribed the book to his fan at the presentation.

• Мастер выгравировал инициалы на кольце для свадебного подарка. (The craftsman engraved the initials on the ring as a wedding gift.)

  The craftsman engraved the initials on the ring as a wedding gift.

• Она надписала письмо особым шрифтом, чтобы оно выглядело более личным. (She inscribed the letter in a special font to make it more personal.)

  She inscribed the letter in a special font to make it more personal.

• В музее посетители могут выгравировать свои имена на памятных досках. (In the museum, visitors can inscribe their names on memorial plaques.)

  In the museum, visitors can inscribe their names on memorial plaques.

• Художник надписал картину датой и подписью в углу. (The artist inscribed the painting with a date and signature in the corner.)

  The artist inscribed the painting with a date and signature in the corner.

Meaning 2: To enter or write something officially, such as in a list or record (e.g., inscribing a name in a registry).

Translation(s) & Context:

• надписать - Less common in this sense; used metaphorically for official records.
• вписать - A more precise alternative, especially for lists or documents; informal in everyday use.

Usage Examples:

• Секретарь вписала мое имя в реестр участников. (The secretary inscribed my name in the participant registry.)

  The secretary inscribed my name in the participant registry.

• В паспорте нужно надписать изменения адреса. (In the passport, you need to inscribe address changes.)

  In the passport, you need to inscribe address changes.

• Администратор выгравировал номер на бейдже для идентификации. (The administrator inscribed the number on the badge for identification.)

  The administrator inscribed the number on the badge for identification.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "надписать" and "выгравировать" are perfective verbs in Russian, which means they indicate completed actions. Russian verbs inflect based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. Below is a table for "надписать" (as an example; "выгравировать" follows similar patterns).

For "выгравировать", it has irregular aspects in some forms; consult a full conjugation chart for details. These verbs do not change in the imperative form without additional particles.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вписать (to write in; more general)
  • записать (to record; often for audio or notes, with subtle differences in permanence)
• Antonyms:
  • удалить (to delete or erase)
  • смыть (to wash off; for temporary inscriptions)

Related Phrases:

• надписать автограф - (To inscribe an autograph; used for signing books or memorabilia)
• выгравировать на металле - (To engrave on metal; common in jewelry making)
• надпись на книге - (Inscription on a book; refers to dedications in literature)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "надписать" is a perfective verb, emphasizing the completion of the action, which aligns closely with the English "inscribe" in contexts like dedicating items. Choose "выгравировать" for physical engraving to ensure precision, as it implies a more permanent mark. Be mindful of formal contexts; these words are rarely used in casual speech. Grammatically, always pair with the appropriate aspect (e.g., imperfective counterparts like "надписывать" for ongoing actions). For English learners, "inscribe" often translates to "надписать" in literary settings but may require "вписать" for official documents.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "надписать" interchangeably with "писать" (to write), which is too general and doesn't convey the sense of engraving or dedication. Correct: "Он надписал книгу" instead of "Он написал книгу" (if the intent is inscription). Explanation: "Писать" is imperfective and broader, while "надписать" specifies a finished act on a surface.

• Error: Misconjugating the past tense, e.g., saying "надписала" for a masculine subject. Correct: Use "надписал" for masculine. Explanation: Russian verbs agree in gender and number in the past tense, which can trip up English speakers used to gender-neutral forms.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, inscribing autographs or dedications (e.g., "надписать автограф") is a cherished tradition in literature and arts, often seen at book signings or in personalized gifts. This reflects the value placed on personal connections and heritage, as seen in famous authors like Pushkin, whose inscribed works are highly collectible.

Related Concepts:

• автограф (autograph)
• гравировка (engraving)
• надпись (inscription)