Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'parry'

English Word: parry

Key Russian Translations:

• парри /ˈparʲi/ - [Formal, Sports context, e.g., fencing]
• парировать /pɐˈrʲirəvətʲ/ - [Formal, Verb form, Used in combat or defensive actions]

Frequency: Low (Specialized vocabulary, primarily in sports like fencing; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2, as it involves understanding context-specific terms and basic Russian noun/verb inflections; "парри" is easier for beginners, while "парировать" may require more practice)

Pronunciation (Russian):

парри: /ˈparʲi/

Note on парри: The soft 'р' sound (/ʲ/) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'r' in "measure" but shorter. Pronounce it with a light, palatalized emphasis.

парировать: /pɐˈrʲirəvətʲ/

Note on парировать: Stress on the second syllable; the ending '-ать' is typical for infinitive verbs and may vary in conjugation. Focus on the palatalized 'р' for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A defensive movement in fencing or combat (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• парри - Used in formal sports contexts, such as describing a fencer's block in a match.
• защита - A more general term for defense, but can apply when "parry" implies a specific technique.

Usage Examples:

• В фехтовании мастер выполнил идеальный парри, отразив атаку противника.

  In fencing, the master performed a perfect parry, deflecting the opponent's attack.

• Его парри был настолько быстр, что судьи не заметили ошибки.

  His parry was so quick that the judges didn't notice any mistakes.

• В тренировке важно практиковать парри в разных позициях.

  In training, it's important to practice parry in different positions.

• Парри может спасти бой, если применен timely.

  A parry can save the fight if applied timely.

Meaning 2: To ward off or deflect an attack (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• парировать - Used in both literal (physical combat) and figurative contexts (e.g., deflecting an argument).
• отразить - A synonym for broader defensive actions, often in military or everyday scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Он сумел парировать удар меча в решающий момент.

  He managed to parry the sword strike at the decisive moment.

• В дебатах она парировала все аргументы оппонента с легкостью.

  In the debate, she parried all of her opponent's arguments with ease.

• Солдат научился парировать атаки в интенсивных тренировках.

  The soldier learned to parry attacks during intensive training.

• Чтобы выиграть, нужно не только атаковать, но и уметь парировать.

  To win, you need not only to attack but also to know how to parry.

• В повседневной жизни мы часто парируем негативные комментарии улыбкой.

  In everyday life, we often parry negative comments with a smile.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Парри" is typically treated as an indeclinable noun in Russian, especially as a borrowed word from English/French, meaning it does not change based on case, number, or gender. For example, it remains "парри" in all forms.

For "парировать" (a verb), it follows the first conjugation pattern for Russian verbs. Below is a table of its key inflections:

Note: Gender agreement applies in the past tense (e.g., парировал for masculine, парировала for feminine).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • защита (more general defense; differs from парри by being broader and not specific to fencing)
  • отпор (a quick counter or repulse, often in informal or combative contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • атака (attack; implies offensive action rather than defense)
  • наступление (offensive or advance; used in military or strategic contexts)

Related Phrases:

• Идеальный парри - A perfect parry; used to describe flawless execution in fencing.
• Парировать удар - To parry a blow; common in combat training contexts.
• Время для парри - Time for a parry; implies a strategic moment in a fight or argument.

Usage Notes:

"Parry" corresponds most directly to "парри" in Russian when referring to fencing, but "парировать" is preferred for the verb form to capture the action of deflecting. Use "парри" in formal or technical discussions, such as sports commentary, while "парировать" can extend to metaphorical uses like in debates. Be mindful of context: in everyday Russian, these words are rare outside sports, so they might sound overly formal. When choosing between translations, opt for "парировать" if the action is dynamic, and "парри" for static descriptions. Grammar-wise, ensure verb conjugations match the subject for accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "парри" as a verb, e.g., saying "Я парри" instead of "Я парирую".
  Correct: "Я парирую удар" (I parry the blow). Explanation: "Парри" is a noun, so it can't be conjugated; learners often confuse it with the verb form.
• Mistake: Incorrect stress or pronunciation, e.g., stressing the first syllable in "парировать" as /ˈpɐrʲirəvətʲ/ instead of /pɐˈrʲirəvətʲ/.
  Correct: Emphasize the second syllable. Explanation: This can lead to misunderstandings in spoken Russian, where stress changes meaning.
• Mistake: Overusing in non-sports contexts, e.g., translating "parry an question" as "парировать вопрос" when a simpler word like "отвечать" might fit better.
  Correct: Use "парировать" only for defensive actions; otherwise, choose context-appropriate synonyms. Explanation: This makes speech sound unnatural for native speakers.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "парри" are tied to the history of fencing and martial arts, which have been influenced by European traditions, especially in the 19th-century Russian aristocracy. Fencing remains a popular sport in Russia, often associated with discipline and strategy, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. Understanding these words can enhance appreciation for Russian sports culture and its blend of Western influences.

Related Concepts:

• атака
• защита
• фехтование