Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'muffle'

English Word: muffle

Key Russian Translations:

• заглушить [zəglʊˈʂitʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Used in contexts of sound suppression]
• замотать [zəmɐˈtatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used for wrapping or covering, e.g., clothing]
• приглушить [prʲɪˈgluʂʲɪtʲ] - [Verb, Neutral, Used specifically for softening sounds without complete suppression]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday language, especially in technical or descriptive contexts, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and context-specific usage. For "заглушить," it's B1; for "замотать," it might be A2 if focusing on basic actions.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

заглушить: [zəglʊˈʂitʲ]

замотать: [zəmɐˈtatʲ]

приглушить: [prʲɪˈgluʂʲɪtʲ]

Note on заглушить: The 'ш' sound (as in "sh") can be challenging for English speakers; it's a voiceless retroflex fricative. Pronounce it with a slight emphasis on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To deaden or suppress sound (e.g., making a noise quieter)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заглушить - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as engineering or acoustics, to describe muting sounds.
• приглушить - Applied in everyday situations where partial reduction of sound is implied, like in music or conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Он заглушил звук двигателя, чтобы не разбудить соседей.

  He muffled the engine sound so as not to wake the neighbors.

• В студии приглушат шум, чтобы запись была чистой.

  In the studio, they will muffle the noise to make the recording clear.

• Инженеры заглушили сигнал для тестирования системы.

  The engineers muffled the signal for system testing.

• Приглушенный звук музыки создавал уютную атмосферу.

  The muffled music sound created a cozy atmosphere.

Meaning 2: To wrap or cover something for protection or warmth (e.g., as in clothing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• замотать - Informal, often used for quickly wrapping items like scarves or bandages in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• Она замотала шею шарфом, чтобы защитить от холода.

  She muffled her neck with a scarf to protect from the cold.

• Врач замотал рану бинтом для фиксации.

  The doctor muffled the wound with a bandage for securing it.

• Дети замотали подарки в бумагу, чтобы скрыть сюрприз.

  The children muffled the gifts in paper to hide the surprise.

• Он замотал лицо маской перед выходом на улицу.

  He muffled his face with a mask before going outside.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

All key translations are verbs, which undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number in Russian. "Заглушить" and "приглушить" are perfective verbs, while "замотать" can be used in both perfective and imperfective forms (e.g., imperfective: заматывать).

Note: These verbs follow standard Russian conjugation patterns with no irregularities, but pay attention to stem changes in past tense based on gender and number.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • приглушить (similar to заглушить but implies partial suppression; often used in artistic contexts)
  • сгладить (to smooth over, e.g., for sounds)
• Antonyms:
  • усилить (to amplify or increase sound)
  • размотать (to unwrap, opposite of замотать)

Related Phrases:

• заглушить шум - To muffle the noise (used in noisy environments like cities or machinery).
• приглушить голос - To soften one's voice (common in polite or intimate conversations).
• замотать в ткань - To wrap in fabric (for protection or concealment in daily life).

Usage Notes:

"Muffle" in English often implies reducing sound or covering for warmth, and its Russian equivalents like "заглушить" are precise for sound-related contexts, while "замотать" fits wrapping scenarios. Choose "заглушить" for formal or technical uses to avoid sounding overly casual. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs: perfective forms like these indicate completed actions, so pair them with contexts where the action is finished. In spoken Russian, these words are versatile but may vary by region; for example, in technical fields, "заглушить" is standard in engineering.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the infinitive form "заглушить" in places where a conjugated form is needed, e.g., saying "Я заглушить звук" instead of "Я заглушу звук." Correct: Conjugate based on tense and subject (e.g., "Я заглушу звук"). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person and number.
• Mistake: Confusing "заглушить" with "приглушить" in intensity contexts, e.g., using "заглушить" when only partial suppression is meant. Correct: Use "приглушить" for softer effects. Explanation: Overgeneralizing can lead to miscommunication in audio or descriptive settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "заглушить" can metaphorically relate to suppressing emotions or sounds in social settings, such as in literature or films where characters "muffle" their feelings during hardships. This reflects a cultural emphasis on stoicism and endurance, as seen in classic works by authors like Tolstoy.

Related Concepts:

• шум (noise)
• звукоизоляция (sound insulation)
• обернуть (to wrap)