Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'masticate'

English Word: masticate

Key Russian Translations:

• жевать [ˈʐɛvətʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]
• пережевывать [pʲɪrʲɪˈʐɛvəvətʲ] - [Formal, implies thorough or repeated chewing, often in medical or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The verb is encountered in daily conversations related to eating but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "eat".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; involves understanding verb aspects and conjugations, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginner level. For "жевать", it's B1; for "пережевывать", it might edge toward B2 due to its aspectual nuances.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

жевать: [ˈʐɛvətʲ]

пережевывать: [pʲɪrʲɪˈʐɛvəvətʲ]

Note on жевать: The initial 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in English "measure", which can be tricky for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Note on пережевывать: This word has a prefix 'пере-', which adds a sense of repetition; pronounce it with emphasis on the third syllable for natural flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To chew food thoroughly (primary meaning of 'masticate')

Translation(s) & Context:

• жевать - Used in informal, everyday contexts, such as describing eating habits or animal behavior.
• пережевывать - Applied in more formal or technical contexts, like discussing digestion or when emphasizing repeated action.

Usage Examples:

• Он жует яблоко медленно, чтобы насладиться вкусом. (He chews the apple slowly to enjoy the flavor.)

  English: He chews the apple slowly to enjoy the flavor. (This example shows "жевать" in a simple present tense, imperfective aspect, highlighting ongoing action.)

• Дети пережевывают жевательную резинку целый день. (The children chew gum all day long.)

  English: The children chew gum all day long. (Here, "пережевывать" emphasizes repetitive or thorough chewing, common in casual or habitual contexts.)

• Врачи советуют жевать пищу тщательно для лучшего пищеварения. (Doctors advise chewing food thoroughly for better digestion.)

  English: Doctors advise chewing food thoroughly for better digestion. (This demonstrates "жевать" in an imperative or advisory context, linking to health.)

• Собака пережевывает кость, не отрываясь от процесса. (The dog is chewing the bone without stopping.)

  English: The dog is chewing the bone without stopping. (Illustrates "пережевывать" with animals, showing intensity in action.)

• Она жует салат, разговаривая с друзьями за обедом. (She chews the salad while talking with friends at lunch.)

  English: She chews the salad while talking with friends at lunch. (This example varies the context to social settings, using "жевать" in a multi-action sentence.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "жевать" and "пережевывать" are imperfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number. "Жевать" is a first-conjugation verb with regular patterns, while "пережевывать" follows similar rules but includes the prefix "пере-", which doesn't alter the core conjugation.

Note: These verbs do not change in a highly irregular way, making them relatively straightforward once the patterns are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • грызть (gryzt' - implies gnawing or biting, often used for harder foods; less formal than жевать)
  • молоть (molot' - literally "to grind," used metaphorically for chewing in some dialects)
• Antonyms:
  • глотать (glotat' - to swallow without chewing)
  • проглатывать (proglatyvat' - to gulp down)

Related Phrases:

• Жевать жвачку - To chew gum (A common informal phrase referring to a habitual activity, often associated with relaxation or boredom.)
• Пережевывать еду - To chew food thoroughly (Used in health contexts, emphasizing digestion benefits.)
• Жевать с открытым ртом - To chew with an open mouth (Impolite behavior, often discussed in etiquette lessons.)

Usage Notes:

Russian verbs like "жевать" and "пережевывать" are imperfective, meaning they focus on the process rather than the completion of an action—similar to the English continuous tense. Use "жевать" for general, ongoing chewing in everyday contexts, but opt for "пережевывать" when stressing repetition or thoroughness, such as in medical advice. Be mindful of aspect: pair these with perfective counterparts like "проглотить" (to swallow) for completed actions. In formal writing, "пережевывать" might be preferred, while "жевать" suits spoken language.

Common Errors:

• Confusing verb aspects: English learners often misuse "жевать" by treating it as perfective. Error: "Я жевал еду и закончил" (incorrect if implying completion). Correct: "Я жевал еду" for ongoing action; use "Я пережевал еду" for a completed, thorough chew. Explanation: Russian requires aspect agreement; this error can make sentences sound incomplete.

• Overusing prefixes: Beginners might add unnecessary prefixes, e.g., saying "пережевать" instead of "жевать" in simple contexts. Error: "Он пережевает яблоко" when basic chewing is meant. Correct: "Он жует яблоко". Explanation: Prefixes like "пере-" change the nuance, so use them only when repetition is intended.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, chewing is often linked to communal meals and hospitality, as seen in traditional feasts where food is enjoyed slowly. However, "masticate" equivalents like "жевать" don't carry strong cultural connotations beyond general etiquette—such as the taboo against chewing with an open mouth, which reflects values of politeness in social settings.

Related Concepts:

• еда (eda - food)
• зубы (zuby - teeth)
• пищеварение (pishchevarenie - digestion)