Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jeer'

English Word: jeer

Key Russian Translations:

• насмехаться [nəsˈmʲɛxətɕsʲə] - [Informal, Verb]
• издеваться [ɪzˈdʲevətɕsʲə] - [Informal, Verb, Often implies cruelty]
• насмешка [nəsˈmʲɛʂkə] - [Formal, Noun]
• издёвка [ɪzˈdʲɛfka] - [Informal, Noun, Plural form: издёвки]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "говорить").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of reflexive verbs and nuances in tone, with "насмехаться" being slightly easier than "издеваться" for beginners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

насмехаться: [nəsˈmʲɛxətɕsʲə]

издеваться: [ɪzˈdʲevətɕsʲə]

насмешка: [nəsˈmʲɛʂkə]

издёвка: [ɪzˈdʲɛfka]

Note on насмехаться: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'x' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. It often has a reflexive ending (-ся), indicating self-action.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Verb: To mock or deride someone, often in a derisive or sarcastic manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Насмехаться - Used in informal settings, such as casual conversations or social media, to express light-hearted or malicious mocking.
• Издеваться - Applied in more intense contexts, like bullying or criticism, where the jeering is cruel or prolonged.

Usage Examples:

• Дети насмехались над новым учеником в школе.

  The children jeered at the new student in school.

• Он издевался над её идеями во время встречи.

  He jeered at her ideas during the meeting.

• Публика насмехалась, когда спикер ошибся.

  The audience jeered when the speaker made a mistake.

• В интернете люди часто издевались над знаменитостями.

  On the internet, people often jeered at celebrities.

• Она насмехалась над его неудачной шуткой, но в дружеском тоне.

  She jeered at his failed joke, but in a friendly tone.

Noun: An act of mocking or a derisive remark.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Насмешка - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as essays or serious discussions, to denote a subtle form of jeering.
• Издёвка - Common in everyday speech for direct, often vulgar jeering, especially in arguments or online trolls.

Usage Examples:

• Его речь была полна насмешки над политиками.

  His speech was full of jeers at politicians.

• Издёвка в её словах ранила его.

  The jeer in her words hurt him.

• В комедийном шоу насмешки над повседневной жизнью всегда популярны.

  Jeers at everyday life are always popular in comedy shows.

• Издёвки одноклассников заставили его замолчать.

  The jeers from his classmates made him go quiet.

• Насмешка в её улыбке была очевидной.

  The jeer in her smile was obvious.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For verbs like "насмехаться" and "издеваться", these are reflexive verbs (ending in -ся), which follow imperfective aspect patterns and conjugate based on person, number, tense, and aspect.

For nouns like "насмешка" and "издёвка", they are feminine nouns that decline by case and number:

These nouns do not have irregular inflections and follow standard feminine patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Смеяться (to laugh, but can imply mocking)
  • Иронизировать (to use irony, often sarcastically)
  • Дразнить (to tease, less intense than издеваться)
• Antonyms:
  • Хвалить (to praise)
  • Поддерживать (to support)
  • Уважать (to respect)

Note: "Смеяться" is a milder synonym, often used for light-hearted jeering, while "Иронизировать" carries intellectual connotations.

Related Phrases:

• Зло насмехаться - To jeer maliciously; used in contexts of intentional harm or bullying.
• Подвергаться издёвке - To be subjected to jeering; common in discussions about social issues.
• Насмешливый тон - A jeering tone; implies sarcasm in speech.
• Издёвки судьбы - The jeers of fate; an idiomatic expression for ironic twists in life.

Usage Notes:

"Jeer" corresponds closely to "насмехаться" in informal, playful contexts, but "издеваться" is better for situations involving cruelty, which isn't always present in English "jeer". Always consider the tone: Russian speakers might use these words in heated arguments, so they're less common in formal writing. For nouns, "насмешка" is more neutral and literary, while "издёвка" is colloquial. When choosing between translations, opt for "насмехаться" for everyday mockery and "издеваться" for severe cases. Grammatically, remember that these are reflexive verbs, so they always end in -ся.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "насмехать" without the reflexive -ся ending. Correct: "Насмехаться" is the proper form; without -ся, it loses its meaning of self-action.

  Example of error: "Они насмехали над ним" (incorrect). Correct: "Они насмехались над ним" – This mistake often occurs because English verbs don't have reflexive forms.

• Error: Confusing with similar verbs like "смеяться", leading to understatement. Correct: If the jeering is malicious, use "издеваться" instead of "смеяться".

  Example of error: "Он смеялся над ней" (might imply just laughing, not jeering). Correct: "Он издевался над ней" for a jeering context.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, jeering like "издеваться" can reflect a tradition of sharp wit and satire, as seen in literature by authors like Gogol or in modern comedy. However, it often carries a negative connotation in social interactions, emphasizing the importance of context to avoid offense, especially in a society that values directness but also hierarchy.

Related Concepts:

• Сарказм (sarcasm)
• Ирония (irony)
• Дразнилка (teasing rhyme)
• Оскорбление (insult)