Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'languish'

English Word: languish

Key Russian Translations:

• угасать /uˈɡasət/ - [Verb, Formal, Intransitive]
• томиться /tɐˈmʲit͡sə/ - [Verb, Informal, Often used for emotional longing]
• зачахнуть /zəˈt͡ɕaxnʊt/ - [Verb, Colloquial, Implies gradual decline]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and everyday contexts, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "быть" or "делать")

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances for accurate use)

Pronunciation (Russian):

угасать: /uˈɡasət/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, similar to the 'g' in "go")

томиться: /tɐˈmʲit͡sə/ (Palatalized 'мʲ' sound; stress on the second syllable, which can be tricky for English speakers)

зачахнуть: /zəˈt͡ɕaxnʊt/ (The 'ч' is a voiceless palatal fricative; stress on the third syllable)

Note on угасать: This verb has a soft ending in some forms, which might lead to pronunciation errors; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Note on томиться: The reflexive form "-ся" adds a sense of internal struggle, affecting pronunciation fluidity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To lose strength or vitality gradually (e.g., physical or metaphorical decline)

Translation(s) & Context:

• угасать - Used in formal or literary contexts, such as describing a plant, health, or hopes fading away.
• зачахнуть - Informal, often for plants or objects deteriorating over time.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Цветок угасает без регулярного полива.

  English translation: The flower is languishing without regular watering.

• Русский пример: В старом доме растения зачахнут от недостатка света.

  English translation: In the old house, the plants are languishing due to lack of light.

• Русский пример: Его здоровье угасает из-за хронической болезни.

  English translation: His health is languishing because of a chronic illness.

• Русский пример: Надежды на успех постепенно угасают.

  English translation: Hopes for success are gradually languishing.

Meaning 2: To suffer from longing or unfulfilled desire (e.g., emotional state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• томиться - Informal, often in emotional or personal contexts, like yearning for someone or something.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Она томится в ожидании новостей от друга.

  English translation: She is languishing in anticipation of news from her friend.

• Русский пример: В тюрьме он томился годами, мечтая о свободе.

  English translation: In prison, he languished for years, dreaming of freedom.

• Русский пример: Дети томятся без развлечений во время карантина.

  English translation: The children are languishing without entertainment during quarantine.

• Русский пример: Сердце томится от невысказанных слов.

  English translation: The heart languishes from unspoken words.

• Русский пример: Он томится в чужой стране, вспоминая дом.

  English translation: He is languishing in a foreign country, reminiscing about home.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These verbs are imperfective, meaning they describe ongoing actions. They follow standard Russian verb conjugation patterns for first conjugation verbs. Below is a table for the verb "угасать" as an example; similar patterns apply to others with slight variations.

For "томиться", it is reflexive, so it always ends in "-ся" and follows a similar pattern but with reflexive forms (e.g., Present: томлюсь, томишься). "зачахнуть" is perfective and less commonly inflected in present tense as it's often used in past or infinitive forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: увядать (to wither, similar but more specific to plants), чахнуть (to pine away, emotional connotation)
• Antonyms: процветать (to flourish), расцветать (to bloom)

Related Phrases:

• Угасать надежды - Hopes fading (Used in contexts of disappointment or loss).
• Томиться в ожидании - To languish in waiting (Common in emotional or narrative descriptions).
• Зачахнуть в забвении - To wither into oblivion (A poetic phrase for neglect or decay).

Usage Notes:

"Languish" often corresponds to "угасать" in physical contexts and "томиться" in emotional ones. Choose based on formality: "угасать" is more neutral and widely applicable, while "томиться" implies deeper suffering. Be mindful of aspect in Russian—use imperfective forms like these for ongoing states. In everyday speech, these verbs are common in literature or conversations about health/emotions, but avoid them in very casual settings where simpler words might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "угасать" interchangeably with "умереть" (to die), thinking they mean the same. Correct: "Угасать" implies a gradual process, not sudden death. Example of error: *Цветок умер без воды* (incorrect for languishing); Correct: Цветок угасает без воды.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive "-ся" in "томиться", making it sound incomplete. Correct: Always include "-ся" as it's a reflexive verb. Example of error: *Он томит* (implies causing torment); Correct: Он томится (he is languishing).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, verbs like "томиться" often convey the existential angst or melancholy deeply rooted in Russian cultural psyche, reflecting themes of suffering and longing in a harsh environment. This adds a layer of emotional depth that English speakers might associate with Romanticism.

Related Concepts:

• Увядание (withering)
• Меланхолия (melancholy)
• Страдание (suffering)