Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'outwit'

English Word: outwit

Key Russian Translations:

• Обхитрить [ɐb.xʲɪˈtrʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday conversations or narratives]
• Перехитрить [pʲɪ.rʲɪˈxʲɪ.trʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, often in competitive or strategic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This verb appears regularly in literature, stories, and casual speech, but not as frequently as basic verbs like "идти" or "делать".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugation and nuanced contexts. For "Обхитрить", it's B1; for "Перехитрить", it's also B1 due to similar structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Обхитрить: [ɐb.xʲɪˈtrʲɪtʲ]

Перехитрить: [pʲɪ.rʲɪˈxʲɪ.trʲɪtʲ]

Note on Обхитрить: The initial "о" is pronounced as a short [ɐ], and the "х" is a voiceless velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers used to softer "h" sounds. Stress falls on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To outsmart or trick someone by being more intelligent or clever.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Обхитрить - Used in informal settings, such as personal anecdotes or stories, to describe cleverly deceiving someone without malice.
• Перехитрить - Applied in more competitive contexts, like games or debates, implying outmaneuvering an opponent strategically.

Usage Examples:

• Он обхитрил вора, спрятав деньги в неожиданном месте.

  He outwitted the thief by hiding the money in an unexpected place.

• Дети перехитрили родителей, чтобы пойти на вечеринку.

  The children outwitted their parents to go to the party.

• В шахматах она обхитрила противника несколькими ходами вперёд.

  In chess, she outwitted her opponent by thinking several moves ahead.

• Шпион перехитрил агентов, используя кодовое сообщение.

  The spy outwitted the agents by using a coded message.

• Компании обхитрили конкурентов, внедрив инновационную технологию.

  The company outwitted its competitors by introducing innovative technology.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Обхитрить" and "Перехитрить" are imperfective verbs in Russian, following the standard conjugation patterns for first-conjugation verbs. They are irregular in the sense that they derive from "хитрить" (to be cunning), but their inflections are predictable. Below is a table for "Обхитрить" in the present tense; "Перехитрить" follows a similar pattern.

Note: These verbs do not change in the past tense based on gender (e.g., Обхитрил for masculine, Обхитрила for feminine). For perfective aspects, related forms like "Обмануть" might be used, but they are not direct inflections.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Одурачить [ɐ.dʊˈra.t͡ɕɪtʲ] - Similar but implies more foolishness; used when the trick is playful.
  • Обмануть [ɐb.mɐˈnutʲ] - Overlaps but focuses on deception; less about intelligence.
• Antonyms:
  • Поддаться [pɐdˈdatsə] - To yield or give in.
  • Прогадать [prɐˈɡa.datʲ] - To miscalculate or fail to outsmart.

Related Phrases:

• Обхитрить противника - To outwit the opponent (Used in strategic games or conflicts, emphasizing clever tactics).
• Перехитрить судьбу - To outwit fate (A more poetic expression, often in literature, implying overcoming destiny through wit).
• Обхитрить систему - To outwit the system (Common in modern contexts, like bypassing bureaucracy cleverly).

Usage Notes:

"Outwit" corresponds most closely to "Обхитрить" in informal Russian speech, where it conveys a sense of intellectual superiority without aggression. Use "Перехитрить" when the context involves direct competition. Both verbs are typically transitive and require an object (e.g., "кого-то" - someone). Be mindful of aspect: these are imperfective, so for completed actions, pair with perfective verbs like "Обмануть". In formal writing, opt for synonyms to avoid sounding too colloquial.

Common Errors:

• Error: Incorrectly conjugating the verb, e.g., saying "Обхитрится" instead of "Обхитрить" for "to outwit someone". Correct: "Обхитрить" is the base form; use "Обхитрил" for past tense. Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with subject and tense; this mistake often stems from confusing reflexive forms.

• Error: Using it in formal contexts without adaptation, e.g., "Он обхитрил босса" in a professional report. Correct: Replace with "Он переиграл босса" for a more neutral tone. Explanation: "Обхитрить" can sound too informal or negative; choose based on audience to avoid unintended connotations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Обхитрить" often appear in folktales and literature (e.g., in stories by Pushkin or Chekhov), reflecting a cultural admiration for cleverness and resourcefulness. It embodies the Russian value of "хитрость" (cunning), which is sometimes seen as a positive trait for survival, especially in historical contexts like outsmarting authorities during Soviet times.

Related Concepts:

• Хитрость (cleverness or cunning)
• Обман (deception)
• Стратегия (strategy)