Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'perform'

English Word: perform

Key Russian Translations:

• выполнить /vɨpɐlʲnʲitʲ/ - [Formal, Verb; Used in general tasks or obligations]
• исполнить /ɪsʲpɐlʲnʲitʲ/ - [Formal, Verb; Often used in artistic or musical contexts]
• показать /pɐkaˈzatʲ/ - [Informal, Verb; Used for demonstrations or shows]

Frequency: High - The verb 'perform' and its Russian equivalents are commonly used in everyday language, business, and arts.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1-B2) - Learners at this level should grasp basic conjugations, but nuances in context may require practice. For 'выполнить', it's B1; for 'исполнить', it's B2 due to its artistic connotations.

Pronunciation (Russian):

выполнить: /vɨpɐlʲnʲitʲ/ - Stress on the second syllable; the 'лʲ' is a soft 'l' sound.

исполнить: /ɪsʲpɐlʲnʲitʲ/ - Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'сʲ' for a softer onset.

показать: /pɐkaˈzatʲ/ - Stress on the third syllable; the 'з' is pronounced as a voiced 'z'.

Note on выполнить: Be careful with the soft consonants; it's often mispronounced by beginners as harder sounds. Variations in regional dialects may soften the vowels further.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To carry out or execute a task or action

Translation(s) & Context:

• выполнить - Used in professional or everyday contexts for completing duties, such as work tasks or obligations.
• показать - Informal alternative when demonstrating an action, like in tutorials or simple executions.

Usage Examples:

• Я должен выполнить задание к завтрашнему дню. (Ya dolzhen vypolnitʲ zadaniye k zavtrashnemu dnyu.)

  I have to perform the task by tomorrow. (This shows the verb in a professional context with future obligation.)

• Она успешно выполнила все инструкции. (Ona uspeshno vypolnila vse instruktsii.)

  She successfully performed all the instructions. (Illustrates completion in a procedural setting.)

• Пожалуйста, покажите, как это сделать. (Pozhaluysta, pokazhite, kak eto sdelatʲ.)

  Please perform how to do this. (Demonstrates an informal request for demonstration.)

• Мы выполнили план раньше срока. (My vypolnili plan ranʲshe sroka.)

  We performed the plan ahead of schedule. (Shows plural subject and achievement context.)

Meaning 2: To present or enact a performance, especially in arts or theater

Translation(s) & Context:

• исполнить - Commonly used for musical or theatrical performances, implying artistic execution.
• показать - In casual contexts, like street performances or informal shows.

Usage Examples:

• Оркестр исполнил симфонию Бетховена. (Orkestr ispolnil simfoniyu Betkhovena.)

  The orchestra performed Beethoven's symphony. (This highlights an artistic context with proper nouns.)

• Актеры исполнили роль с большим энтузиазмом. (Aktʲery ispolnili rolʲ s bolʲshim entuziastvom.)

  The actors performed the role with great enthusiasm. (Demonstrates emotional nuance in theater.)

• Она показала танец на фестивале. (Ona pokazala tants na festyvale.)

  She performed a dance at the festival. (Informal usage in a public event.)

• Группа исполнила популярную песню на концерте. (Gruppa ispolnila populjarnuyu pesnyu na kontsertye.)

  The group performed a popular song at the concert. (Shows group dynamics and live performance.)

• Он показал фокус перед друзьями. (On pokazal fokus pered druzʲyami.)

  He performed a trick in front of his friends. (Casual, everyday performance scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These verbs are primarily in the perfective aspect (e.g., выполнить is perfective of выполнять). Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, and number. Below is a conjugation table for 'выполнить' as an example; others follow similar patterns but with irregularities.

For 'исполнить', it has similar conjugations but is more irregular in poetic or formal uses. 'показать' is also perfective and follows standard patterns without major irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • осуществить (osushchestvitʲ) - More formal, emphasizing achievement.
  • реализовать (realizovatʲ) - Used in business contexts, implying practical execution.
  • проявить (proyavitʲ) - For performing talents or qualities.
• Antonyms:
  • не выполнить (ne vypolnitʲ) - Simply the negation, but contextually opposite.
  • отказаться (otkazatʲsya) - To refuse or fail to perform.

Related Phrases:

• выполнить задание (vypolnitʲ zadaniye) - To perform a task; often used in educational or work settings.
• исполнить роль (ispolnitʲ rolʲ) - To perform a role; common in theater or acting, meaning to embody a character.
• показать себя (pokazatʲ sebya) - To perform oneself; implies demonstrating abilities in a social context.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'perform' corresponds most closely to 'выполнить' for task-oriented actions and 'исполнить' for artistic ones. In Russian, choose based on context: use formal verbs in professional emails, but informal ones in casual speech. Note that Russian verbs often require aspect (perfective for completed actions), so 'perform' as a one-time event aligns with perfective forms. Beginners should practice with sentence structures to avoid literal translations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'выполнить' interchangeably with 'исполнить' in artistic contexts. Correct: Say 'Оркестр исполнил симфонию' instead of 'Оркестр выполнил симфонию', as the latter sounds mechanical. Explanation: 'Исполнить' conveys artistic nuance, while 'выполнить' is for routine tasks.

• Error: Neglecting verb aspects, e.g., using imperfective 'выполнять' when a completed action is meant. Correct: Use perfective 'выполнить' for finished performances. Explanation: This can confuse native speakers, as aspect indicates whether the action is ongoing or complete.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'исполнить' often carries emotional weight in the arts, reflecting Russia's rich history in ballet and music (e.g., Bolshoi Theater). It implies not just performing but interpreting with soul, which aligns with the cultural emphasis on expressive arts in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• реализовать (realizovatʲ) - Related to practical execution.
• демонстрировать (demonstrirovatʲ) - Connected to showing or performing demonstrations.
• актёрство (aktʲorstvo) - Pertaining to acting and performance in theater.