Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'jostle'

English Word: jostle

Key Russian Translations:

• Толкать [ˈtolʲkətʲ] - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts like crowds]
• Протискиваться [prətʲɪˈskʲivət͡sə] - [Informal, implies forcing one's way through]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in descriptions of urban or crowded environments, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "идти").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and reflexive forms, which may vary slightly between translations).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Толкать: [ˈtolʲkətʲ]

Note on Толкать: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'л' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Протискиваться: [prətʲɪˈskʲivət͡sə]

Note on Протискиваться: This is a reflexive verb; the '-ся' ending affects pronunciation slightly, making it softer. Focus on the rolled 'р' if it's a new sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To push or shove against someone, especially in a crowd

Translation(s) & Context:

• Толкать - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as in a busy street or public transport, to describe accidental or intentional pushing.
• Протискиваться - Applied in contexts where one is actively maneuvering through a crowd, like at a concert or market; often implies effort.

Usage Examples:

• В толпе на концерте люди постоянно толкают друг друга, чтобы лучше видеть сцену.

  In the crowd at the concert, people constantly jostle each other to get a better view of the stage.

• В переполненном автобусе пассажиры вынуждены протискиваться к выходу.

  In the overcrowded bus, passengers have to jostle their way to the exit.

• Дети на playground'е часто толкают сверстников во время игр, но это обычно без злого умысла.

  Children on the playground often jostle their peers during play, but it's usually without malice.

• Чтобы купить билеты, мне пришлось протискиваться через толпу у касс.

  To buy tickets, I had to jostle through the crowd at the ticket counters.

• В час пик на рынке продавцы и покупатели толкают тележки, создавая хаос.

  During rush hour at the market, vendors and shoppers jostle carts, creating chaos.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both key translations are verbs, with "Толкать" being imperfective and "Протискиваться" being a reflexive imperfective verb. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a table for each:

Note: These verbs follow regular conjugation patterns for imperfective verbs in Russian. "Протискиваться" includes the reflexive particle "-ся," which does not change but affects the verb's meaning to be more inward-focused.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Пихать (pihat') - Similar to толкать but often implies a more forceful or rude push.
  • Стискивать (stiskivat') - Used for squeezing or pressing in tight spaces, with a subtle difference in connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Избегать (izbegat') - To avoid or steer clear, opposite in the context of physical interaction.
  • Отступать (otstupat') - To step back or retreat.

Related Phrases:

• В толпе толкаться - A common phrase meaning "to jostle in a crowd," often used for chaotic public situations.
• Протискиваться сквозь толпу - Meaning "to jostle through the crowd," implying determination in navigation.
• Толкать локтями - Translates to "to jostle with elbows," a vivid expression for aggressive pushing in confined spaces.

Usage Notes:

"Jostle" corresponds most closely to "толкать" in casual, physical interactions, but "протискиваться" is better for scenarios involving self-movement through obstacles. In Russian, these verbs are typically used in informal contexts; for formal writing, opt for more descriptive phrases. Be mindful of the reflexive form in "протискиваться," which emphasizes the subject's action on themselves. When choosing between translations, consider the intensity: "толкать" for general pushing, "протискиваться" for persistent effort.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "Толкать" with "Пихать": English learners might overuse "Пихать" (which is more aggressive), thinking it always means "jostle." Correct usage: Use "Толкать" for neutral pushing, e.g., Incorrect: "Я пихал людей в очереди" (implies rudeness); Correct: "Я толкал людей в очереди" (neutral jostling).
• Omitting reflexive particles: For "Протискиваться," forgetting "-ся" changes the meaning entirely, e.g., Incorrect: "Я протискиваю дверь" (nonsensical); Correct: "Я протискиваюсь через дверь" (I am jostling through the door). This error stems from not recognizing reflexive verbs in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "толкать" and "протискиваться" often reflect the reality of crowded urban life, such as in Moscow's metro during rush hour. This can evoke a sense of resilience and adaptability, as Russians frequently navigate packed spaces without much complaint, highlighting cultural norms around personal space being less emphasized compared to Western societies.

Related Concepts:

• Толпа (crowd)
• Очередь (queue)
• Проталкивать (to push forward)