Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mislead'

English Word: mislead

Key Russian Translations:

• обмануть /ɐb.mɐˈnutʲ/ - [Informal]
• ввести в заблуждение /fˈvʲes.tʲi v zɐˈblu.ʐ.dʲe.nʲi.jɛ/ - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and literature, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual nuances, with "обмануть" being slightly easier for beginners and "ввести в заблуждение" more challenging due to its phrasal structure).

Pronunciation (Russian):

обмануть: /ɐb.mɐˈnutʲ/ (Stress on the second syllable; the 'у' is pronounced as a short 'oo' sound.)

Note on обмануть: This verb has a soft 'тʲ' ending, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalization; practice with native audio for accuracy.

ввести в заблуждение: /fˈvʲes.tʲi v zɐˈblu.ʐ.dʲe.nʲi.jɛ/ (Stress on the first syllable of "ввести" and "заблуждение"; the phrase flows quickly in spoken Russian.)

Note on ввести в заблуждение: The 'ж' in "заблуждение" is a voiced fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure," and the word can vary slightly in informal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cause someone to believe something untrue (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• обмануть - Used in informal contexts, such as everyday deception or minor misleading in conversations.
• ввести в заблуждение - Employed in formal or written contexts, like legal, academic, or professional settings to indicate deliberate misinformation.

Usage Examples:

• Он обманул меня, сказав, что автобус уже уехал. (He misled me by saying the bus had already left.)

  English: He misled me by saying the bus had already left. (This example shows "обмануть" in a simple past tense, everyday scenario.)

• Газеты часто вводят читателей в заблуждение фальшивыми новостями. (Newspapers often mislead readers with fake news.)

  English: Newspapers often mislead readers with fake news. (Illustrates "ввести в заблуждение" in a formal, plural context involving media.)

• Не обманывай себя, думая, что всё будет легко. (Don't mislead yourself into thinking everything will be easy.)

  English: Don't mislead yourself into thinking everything will be easy. (Demonstrates reflexive use of "обманывать" in self-deception scenarios.)

• Политик ввёл избирателей в заблуждение своими обещаниями. (The politician misled voters with his promises.)

  English: The politician misled voters with his promises. (Shows "ввести в заблуждение" in a political context with direct object.)

• Иногда карты могут обмануть путешественников в незнакомом городе. (Sometimes maps can mislead travelers in an unfamiliar city.)

  English: Sometimes maps can mislead travelers in an unfamiliar city. (Highlights "обмануть" in impersonal or general statements.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "обмануть" (a perfective verb):

This is a first-conjugation verb with irregular aspects. It is perfective, meaning it denotes a completed action. Here is a basic inflection table:

For "ввести в заблуждение" (a phrase with a verb):

"Ввести" is also a perfective verb (from "вести" - to lead). It follows similar conjugation patterns as above, but the full phrase remains invariant in structure. No major inflections for the entire phrase; focus on conjugating "ввести" as needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Обманывать (similar to "обмануть" but imperfective; used for ongoing actions)
  • Ввести в заблуждение (exact synonym in formal contexts, with no major differences)
  • Лгать (to lie; more direct and blunt, often in casual speech)
• Antonyms:
  • Правильно информировать (to inform correctly)
  • Разъяснить (to clarify or explain truthfully)

Related Phrases:

• Обмануть доверие - To betray trust; often used in personal or professional relationships.
• Ввести в заблуждение общественности - To mislead the public; common in media or political discussions.
• Не вводи меня в заблуждение - Don't mislead me; a direct imperative phrase for confrontations.

Usage Notes:

"Обмануть" is the more straightforward translation for "mislead" in informal settings, closely mirroring the English verb's action-oriented nature, while "ввести в заблуждение" is preferred in formal contexts to emphasize intentional deception. Choose based on register: use "обмануть" for everyday speech and "ввести в заблуждение" for written or official language. Grammatically, both verbs require an object (e.g., "кого-то" for whom), and aspect (perfective vs. imperfective) must align with the context—perfective for completed actions. English speakers should note that Russian often implies cultural nuances, like skepticism in communication.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "обмануть" in formal writing, e.g., saying "Он обманул суд" instead of "Он ввёл суд в заблуждение."
  Correct: "Он ввёл суд в заблуждение" (The latter is more appropriate for legal contexts). Explanation: "Обмануть" sounds too casual and may undermine the formality.
• Mistake: Forgetting aspect agreement, e.g., using "обманывать" (imperfective) when a completed action is needed.
  Correct: Switch to "обмануть" for perfective. Explanation: Russian verbs must match the action's completeness, unlike English "mislead," which is neutral.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "обмануть" carry a strong connotation of distrust, often linked to historical contexts such as Soviet-era propaganda. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on skepticism in information, where misleading others is not just a linguistic act but can symbolize deeper social or political manipulation.

Related Concepts:

• Ложь (lie)
• Обман (deception)
• Заблуждение (misconception)