Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'pounce'

English Word: pounce

Key Russian Translations:

• наброситься [nɐˈbro.sʲt͡ɕɪ.t͡sə] - [Informal, often used for sudden, aggressive actions]
• кинуться [kʲɪˈnut͡sə] - [Formal, implies a swift leap or dash]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive narratives and everyday language, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "go" or "run")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of reflexive verbs and imperfective/perfective aspects; for 'наброситься', it's slightly more challenging due to its reflexive form, while 'кинуться' is easier for beginners)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наброситься: [nɐˈbro.sʲt͡ɕɪ.t͡sə]

кинуться: [kʲɪˈnut͡sə]

Note on наброситься: The stress falls on the second syllable ('bro'), and the 'щ' sound is a soft palatal fricative, which can be tricky for English speakers—similar to the 'sh' in "she" but softer. Be mindful of the reflexive suffix '-ся' which affects pronunciation in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To spring or swoop suddenly, often with intent to attack or seize (e.g., like a predator)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наброситься - Used in contexts involving sudden, forceful actions, such as an animal attacking prey or a person lunging in excitement; common in informal storytelling or action descriptions.
• кинуться - Applied in more neutral or formal scenarios, like rushing towards something in urgency, without the aggressive connotation; suitable for literary or descriptive writing.

Usage Examples:

• Кот набросился на мышь, как только увидел её в траве.

  The cat pounced on the mouse as soon as it saw it in the grass. (This example shows the verb in a natural, animalistic context, highlighting sudden movement.)

• Собака кинулась к мячу, игнорируя все вокруг.

  The dog pounced on the ball, ignoring everything around. (Here, it demonstrates a playful or eager leap, using 'кинуться' in a less aggressive setting.)

• В толпе демонстранты набросились на полицейских с криками.

  In the crowd, the protesters pounced on the police with shouts. (This illustrates 'наброситься' in a social or confrontational context, emphasizing intensity.)

• Ребёнок кинулся к подарку под ёлкой в Рождество.

  The child pounced on the gift under the Christmas tree. (This uses 'кинуться' to show excitement in a festive scenario, varying the grammatical structure.)

• В лесу волк набросился на добычу, используя свою скорость и хитрость.

  In the forest, the wolf pounced on its prey, using its speed and cunning. (This example combines 'наброситься' with descriptive elements to show predatory behavior in narrative form.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'наброситься' and 'кинуться' are reflexive verbs in Russian, which means they end in '-ся' and follow imperfective/perfective aspect rules. 'Наброситься' is the perfective form of 'наброситься' (wait, correction: it's inherently perfective), while 'кинуться' is also perfective. They conjugate based on person, number, and tense, with changes in the reflexive suffix.

For 'наброситься' (a verb of motion with reflexive aspect):

For 'кинуться':

These verbs do not change irregularly but follow standard reflexive patterns. Note: Past tense varies by gender (e.g., -л for masculine, -ла for feminine).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: броситься (to throw oneself, similar but less aggressive), атаковать (to attack, more military connotation), ринуться (to rush forward, with speed emphasis). Note: 'броситься' is often interchangeable but implies less precision than 'наброситься'.
• Antonyms: отступить (to retreat), остановиться (to stop), уклониться (to evade or dodge).

Related Phrases:

• наброситься с кулаками - Literally "pounce with fists," meaning to attack physically in anger; used in contexts of fights or outbursts. (Implies sudden aggression.)
• кинуться в бой - "Pounce into battle," referring to charging into conflict; common in historical or military narratives. (Emphasizes bravery or impulsiveness.)
• наброситься на еду - "Pounce on food," meaning to devour eagerly; often used humorously for someone eating quickly. (Highlights informal, everyday usage.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'pounce' translations like 'наброситься' and 'кинуться' are perfective verbs, focusing on the completion of an action, which aligns with the sudden nature of 'pounce' in English. Choose 'наброситься' for scenarios involving aggression or surprise, as it carries a more intense connotation, while 'кинуться' is better for neutral or positive rushes. Be aware of the reflexive '-ся' suffix, which indicates the action is directed back to the subject. In formal writing, pair these with adverbs like 'внезапно' (suddenly) for emphasis. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require aspect consideration—use the imperfective form (e.g., 'набегаться') for ongoing actions if needed.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'наброситься' without the reflexive suffix, e.g., saying 'набросить' (which means 'to throw on' or 'to cover'). Correct: 'Наброситься' includes '-ся' to show self-directed action. Explanation: Omitting '-ся' changes the meaning entirely, so always include it for 'pounce'-like usage.

• Error: Confusing with similar verbs like 'бежать' (to run), leading to phrases like 'бежать на кого-то' instead of 'наброситься на кого-то'. Correct: Use 'наброситься' for sudden leaps; 'бежать' implies sustained running. Explanation: This mix-up can make the sentence sound less precise, as 'pounce' connotes brevity and impact.

Cultural Notes:

Verbs like 'наброситься' often appear in Russian literature and folklore, such as in stories about animals or heroes in epics like those by Pushkin, where sudden actions symbolize instinct or passion. In modern Russian culture, they might evoke themes of impulsivity in urban life or wildlife, reflecting the country's vast natural landscapes and historical narratives of conflict.

Related Concepts:

• атаковать
• прыгнуть
• броситься
• уклониться