Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'malinger'

English Word: malinger

Key Russian Translations:

• симулировать [sʲɪmʊˈlʲirəvətʲ] - [Formal, used in professional or medical contexts]
• притворяться [prʲɪtˈvɐrʲɪt͡sə] - [Informal, everyday spoken language]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in contexts like workplaces, military, or health discussions, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it requires understanding nuanced expressions of deception; "симулировать" may be more challenging due to its formal nature, while "притворяться" is slightly easier for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

симулировать: [sʲɪmʊˈlʲirəvətʲ]

Note on симулировать: The stress falls on the third syllable ("lʲir"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l'. Pronounce it with a soft, almost 'y'-like sound before the 'i'.

притворяться: [prʲɪtˈvɐrʲɪt͡sə]

Note on притворяться: The initial 'prʲ' has a soft 'r' sound; focus on the rolling 'r' and the reflexive ending, which is common in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To pretend to be ill in order to avoid work or duty

Translation(s) & Context:

• симулировать - Often used in formal settings like medical reports or official excuses, implying deliberate deception.
• притворяться - More casual, used in everyday conversations to describe faking illness in personal or social contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он симулирует болезнь, чтобы избежать встречи с начальником.

  He is malingering to avoid meeting with his boss. (This example shows the verb in a professional context, conjugated in the present tense.)

• Дети иногда притворяются больными, чтобы не ходить в школу.

  Children sometimes malinger to avoid going to school. (Illustrates informal use with children, in a habitual sense.)

• В армии солдаты могут симулировать недомогание, чтобы получить отгул.

  In the army, soldiers might malinger to get a day off. (Demonstrates use in a military setting, with a noun phrase for illness.)

• Она притворяется усталой, но на самом деле просто не хочет помогать.

  She is malingering by pretending to be tired, but she's really just unwilling to help. (Shows the verb in a reflexive form, highlighting emotional deception.)

• Если он снова симулирует, то может потерять работу.

  If he malingers again, he might lose his job. (This example uses the verb in a conditional clause, emphasizing consequences.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "симулировать" and "притворяться" are verbs, primarily imperfective, and follow standard Russian conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. "Симулировать" is more formal and less commonly inflected in everyday speech, while "притворяться" is reflexive and includes the particle "-ся". Below is a table for key inflections:

Note: These verbs are irregular in the sense that "притворяться" always requires the reflexive particle "-ся", which does not change. They do not have perfective counterparts in common usage for this meaning.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уклоняться (ukloniat'sia) - To evade or dodge, often with a sense of avoidance without deception.
  • лентяйничать (lentyaynichat') - To be lazy, implying a habitual slacking off rather than specific pretense.
• Antonyms:
  • трудиться (trudit'sia) - To work diligently, directly opposing the idea of avoidance.
  • выполнять обязанности (vypolnyat' obyazannosti) - To fulfill duties, emphasizing responsibility.

Related Phrases:

• Симулировать болезнь - To fake an illness (commonly used in medical or work contexts to describe malingering specifically).
• Притворяться усталым - To pretend to be tired (a phrase for feigning exhaustion in everyday situations).
• Уклоняться от работы - To evade work (a broader phrase implying avoidance, often paired with malingering behaviors).

Usage Notes:

"Симулировать" is a more precise translation for "malinger" in formal English-Russian contexts, as it directly conveys intentional deception, often in professional settings. In contrast, "притворяться" is better for informal or everyday use and carries a lighter, more playful connotation. English speakers should note that Russian verbs like these require agreement in person, number, and tense, so always conjugate based on the subject (e.g., use "симулирует" for third person singular). Be cautious with register: "притворяться" might sound too casual in official documents. When choosing between translations, opt for "симулировать" if the context involves authority or institutions, and "притворяться" for personal anecdotes.

Common Errors:

• Conjugating incorrectly: English learners often forget the reflexive particle in "притворяться" and say "притворять", which is incorrect. Correct: "Он притворяется" (He pretends). Error: "Он притворяет" (This doesn't exist and sounds nonsensical).

• Overusing in informal contexts: Mistakenly using "симулировать" in casual speech, which can come across as overly formal or awkward. Instead, switch to "притворяться" for natural conversation. For example, Error: "Я симулирую усталость" (unnatural); Correct: "Я притворяюсь усталым".

• Confusing with synonyms: Learners might use "лентяйничать" interchangeably, but it implies chronic laziness rather than specific pretense, leading to a mismatch in meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like malingering are often tied to historical contexts such as Soviet-era work ethics or military service, where feigning illness was a common way to avoid grueling labor. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on collective duty versus individual well-being, and words like "симулировать" can carry subtle undertones of criticism toward perceived laziness in a society that values perseverance.

Related Concepts:

• лень (len')
• уклонение (uklonenie)
• обязанности (obyazannosti)