Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intrigue'

English Word: intrigue

Key Russian Translations:

• интрига [inˈtrʲigə] - [Formal, often used in literary or political contexts]
• загадка [zəˈgadkə] - [Informal, when referring to a mystery or something fascinating]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, politics, and everyday discussions about plots or mysteries)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions; for 'загадка', also B1 due to similar inflection patterns)

Pronunciation (Russian):

интрига: [inˈtrʲigə]

загадка: [zəˈgadkə]

Note on интрига: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a soft 'g' as in 'go', but with more throat vibration. For загадка, stress on the second syllable and the 'г' is similar.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A secret plan or plot, often with a negative connotation (e.g., conspiracy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• интрига - Used in formal settings like politics or literature to describe scheming or maneuvering.

Usage Examples:

• В политических кругах часто плетутся интриги, чтобы добиться власти.

  In political circles, intrigues are often woven to gain power.

• Эта интрига раскрылась только после долгих расследований.

  This intrigue was uncovered only after lengthy investigations.

• Интриги в королевском дворе привели к трагическим последствиям.

  Intrigues at the royal court led to tragic consequences.

• Он мастерски плел интриги, чтобы манипулировать своими соперниками.

  He masterfully wove intrigues to manipulate his rivals.

Meaning 2: Something that arouses curiosity or fascination (e.g., a mystery or exciting element)

Translation(s) & Context:

• загадка - Used in informal or everyday contexts to describe something intriguing or puzzling, like a story plot.

Usage Examples:

• Эта книга полна загадок, которые держат читателя в напряжении.

  This book is full of intrigues that keep the reader on edge.

• Загадка старого замка привлекла множество туристов.

  The intrigue of the old castle attracted many tourists.

• В фильме главная загадка раскрывается в последней сцене.

  In the film, the main intrigue is revealed in the final scene.

• Её улыбка добавила загадки в нашу беседу.

  Her smile added an element of intrigue to our conversation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'интрига' and 'загадка' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard first-declension patterns. 'Интрига' is a regular noun with predictable inflections, while 'загадка' is also regular but may vary slightly in plural forms.

Note: These nouns do not change in an irregular way, making them relatively straightforward for intermediate learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: заговор (zagovor) - More direct for conspiracy; интриги (intrigi) - Plural form for multiple plots; тайна (taina) - For mysterious aspects, with a subtle difference in implying secrecy rather than active scheming.
• Antonyms: честность (chestnost') - Honesty, often used in contrast to deceptive intrigues; открытость (otkrytost') - Openness, emphasizing transparency.

Related Phrases:

• Плести интриги - To weave intrigues; a common idiom for plotting or scheming in a manipulative way.
• Разгадать загадку - To solve the intrigue; used for unraveling mysteries or puzzles.
• Интрига вокруг... - Intrigue around...; refers to surrounding mystery or controversy, e.g., in media or politics.

Usage Notes:

'Интрига' closely aligns with the conspiratorial sense of 'intrigue' in English and is typically used in formal or narrative contexts, while 'загадка' fits better for something intellectually stimulating. Be mindful of context: in Russian, 'интрига' often carries a negative tone, implying deceit. When choosing between translations, opt for 'интрига' in political or literary discussions and 'загадка' for everyday mysteries. Grammatically, always decline these nouns based on case, as Russian requires agreement with prepositions and verbs.

• Restriction: Avoid using 'интрига' in casual conversations to prevent sounding overly dramatic.
• Tip: In sentences, pair with verbs like 'плеть' (to weave) for dynamic usage.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse 'интрига' by treating it as invariable, forgetting to decline it in sentences. For example, incorrect: "Я видел интрига" (I saw intrigue) – This lacks proper accusative case. Correct: "Я видел интригу". Another error is confusing it with 'загадка'; learners might say 'интрига' for a simple puzzle, which sounds awkward. Instead, use 'загадка' for non-deceptive mysteries. Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always check the sentence structure to avoid these mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'интрига' is a staple in literature and history, evident in works like those of Dostoevsky, where courtly or political intrigues drive the plot. It reflects a historical suspicion of power structures, stemming from events like the tsarist era, adding a layer of depth to its usage beyond mere English equivalents.

Related Concepts:

• Заговор (conspiracy)
• Тайна (mystery)
• Манипуляция (manipulation)