Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'nap'

English Word: nap

Key Russian Translations:

• вздремнуть [vzdrʲɪmˈnutʲ] - [Verb, Informal; Used for a quick, unplanned sleep]
• дремота [drʲɪˈmotə] - [Noun, Neutral; Used in formal or descriptive contexts, e.g., referring to drowsiness]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversation but not as frequent as basic verbs like "спать")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugation and contextual usage; for "дремота", also B1 due to nominal forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

вздремнуть: [vzdrʲɪmˈnutʲ] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'вз-' prefix can be tricky for beginners)

Note on вздремнуть: The initial 'вз-' sound is a voiced consonant cluster; pronounce it smoothly without pausing. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'д'.

дремота: [drʲɪˈmotə] (Stress on the second syllable; the 'рʲ' is a palatalized 'r', common in Russian nouns)

Note on дремота: This word has a soft, flowing pronunciation; avoid overemphasizing the 'т' at the end.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A short period of sleep, especially during the day, often to rest or recharge.

Translation(s) & Context:

• вздремнуть - Informal verb used in casual, everyday situations, such as after a meal or during a break.
• дремота - Neutral noun for describing the state of drowsiness or a nap in more literary or formal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• После обеда я всегда вздремнул, чтобы набраться сил.

  After lunch, I always take a nap to recharge my energy. (Shows informal daily routine)

• Ему нужна была короткая вздремнуть перед совещанием.

  He needed a quick nap before the meeting. (Illustrates use in a professional context with time constraints)

• Дремота настигла меня во время поездки в поезде.

  Drowsiness overtook me during the train ride. (Demonstrates 'дремота' as a noun in a descriptive, travel-related scenario)

• Я не могу вздремнуть днём, потому что дремота мешает моей продуктивности.

  I can't take a nap during the day because drowsiness affects my productivity. (Combines both translations in a contrasting sentence)

• В выходные я наслаждаюсь дремотой на диване.

  On weekends, I enjoy napping on the couch. (Highlights relaxed, leisure-time usage)

A state of light sleep or drowsiness, sometimes implying temporary fatigue.

Translation(s) & Context:

• дремота - Used metaphorically in literature or formal speech to describe a hazy, sleepy state.

Usage Examples:

• Дремота охватила комнату ранним утром.

  Drowsiness enveloped the room early in the morning. (Poetic or descriptive context)

• Из-за дремоты он пропустил важный звонок.

  Due to his nap, he missed an important call. (Contextualizes as a cause of an event)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "вздремнуть" (a verb of the first conjugation):

This verb is irregular in some aspects but follows standard patterns. It is imperfective and can be used in various tenses. Below is a basic conjugation table:

For "дремота" (a feminine noun, third declension):

It is invariable in plural forms and follows standard nominal inflections:

Note: "дремота" is often used in singular and does not change much in everyday speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • уснуть (usnut') - Similar but more general for falling asleep; often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • подремать (podremat') - A lighter synonym, implying a very short nap; preferred in informal settings.
• Antonyms:
  • бодрствовать (bodrstvovat') - To stay awake or be alert.
  • не спать (ne spat') - Simply meaning not to sleep.

Related Phrases:

• вздремнуть днём - A daytime nap; used for afternoon rests to imply productivity boost.
• дремота одолевает - Drowsiness is overwhelming; common in expressions of fatigue.
• короткая вздремнуть - A quick nap; often in contexts like travel or work breaks, with the meaning of brief rejuvenation.

Usage Notes:

"вздремнуть" directly corresponds to "nap" as a verb and is ideal for informal English-to-Russian translation, but avoid it in formal writing where "дремота" might be more appropriate as a noun. Note the aspect: Russian verbs like this are imperfective, so they describe ongoing actions. Choose between translations based on context—use "вздремнуть" for actions and "дремота" for states. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "вздремнуть" in formal contexts, e.g., saying "Я вздремнул на встрече" instead of "Я поддался дремоте на встрече".
  Correct: "дремота" is better for professional settings to avoid sounding too casual. Explanation: "вздремнуть" implies informality and might make the speaker seem unprofessional.
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Я вздремнет" instead of "Я вздремну".
  Correct: Follow the first conjugation rules as shown in the table. Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian verb endings, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, taking a "vzdremnut'" or experiencing "dremota" is often associated with the traditional post-lunch rest, especially in rural or family settings, reminiscent of Soviet-era work breaks. It reflects a value on work-life balance, unlike the more productivity-driven attitudes in some Western cultures.

Related Concepts:

• сон (son) - Sleep
• усталость (ustalost') - Fatigue
• отдых (otdyh) - Rest