Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prance'

English Word: prance

Key Russian Translations:

• припрыгивать [priprɨˈɡivatʲ] - [Informal, often used in descriptive contexts for lively movement]
• вышагивать [vɨʂɐˈɡivatʲ] - [Formal, emphasizing proud or high-stepping gait]

Frequency: Low (This verb is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in literary or descriptive texts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb aspects and conjugations. For 'припрыгивать', it is slightly easier due to imperfective aspect, while 'вышагивать' may pose challenges with formal contexts.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

припрыгивать: [priprɨˈɡivatʲ]

вышагивать: [vɨʂɐˈɡivatʲ]

Note on припрыгивать: The stress falls on the third syllable ('ги'), and the 'р' is rolled, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in speed may soften the 'г' sound in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To move with high, spirited steps, like a horse

Translation(s) & Context:

• припрыгивать - Used in informal descriptions of playful or energetic movement, such as animals or people in light-hearted situations.
• вышагивать - Applied in more formal or literary contexts to describe proud, deliberate steps.

Usage Examples:

• Лошадь припрыгивает по полю, наслаждаясь свободой.

  The horse prances across the field, enjoying its freedom.

• Дети припрыгивают на празднике, полные энергии.

  The children prance at the party, full of energy.

• В театре актер вышагивает по сцене, изображая гордого воина.

  In the theater, the actor prances across the stage, portraying a proud warrior.

• Модель вышагивает по подиуму с грацией и уверенностью.

  The model prances down the runway with grace and confidence.

To behave in a lively or showy manner

Translation(s) & Context:

• припрыгивать - Informal, for casual, joyful expressions in everyday life.
• вышагивать - Formal, for contexts involving self-importance or performance.

Usage Examples:

• Он припрыгивает по комнате, когда слышит свою любимую музыку.

  He prances around the room when he hears his favorite music.

• На вечеринке она вышагивает, привлекаю внимание всех гостей.

  At the party, she prances about, drawing everyone's attention.

• Птицы припрыгивают в саду, приветствуя весну.

  The birds prance in the garden, welcoming spring.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'припрыгивать' and 'вышагивать' are imperfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard Russian verb conjugation patterns for the first conjugation group.

Note: These verbs are regular and do not have irregular inflections. In past tense, they add endings based on gender: e.g., припрыгивал (masc.), припрыгивала (fem.).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • прыгать (prygat' - more general jumping, with subtle difference in implying less controlled movement)
  • скакать (skakat' - often used for galloping, suitable for animal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • плетаться (pletat'sya - to drag along slowly)
  • бродить (brodit' - to wander aimlessly)

Related Phrases:

• Припрыгивать от радости - To prance with joy (Used to describe exuberant happiness in informal settings.)
• Вышагивать гордо - To prance proudly (Common in literary descriptions of confident behavior.)
• Припрыгивать по снегу - To prance through the snow (Refers to playful movement in winter contexts.)

Usage Notes:

'Prance' corresponds closely to 'припрыгивать' in informal, everyday English contexts, but 'вышагивать' is better for more formal or literary equivalents. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: these are imperfective verbs, so they describe ongoing actions rather than completed ones. In spoken Russian, 'припрыгивать' is preferred in casual conversations, while 'вышагивать' might carry a connotation of arrogance. When choosing between translations, consider the context's tone—opt for 'припрыгивать' for light-hearted scenarios and 'вышагивать' for dignified ones.

Common Errors:

• Confusing aspect: English learners often misuse 'припрыгивать' by treating it as perfective (e.g., saying "Я припрыгнул" incorrectly for a completed action). Correct: Use "припрыгнул" only if it's the past tense of the imperfective, but pair it with perfective forms like "прыгнуть" for one-time events. Error example: "Я припрыгиваю весь день" (correct for ongoing), vs. incorrect overuse in completed contexts.
• Overgeneralizing synonyms: Learners might swap 'припрыгивать' with 'прыгать', but this changes the nuance—'прыгать' implies jumping up and down, not prancing. Correct example: Use 'припрыгивать' for graceful steps, as in "Лошадь припрыгивает".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like 'припрыгивать' often appear in folk tales or descriptions of nature, symbolizing freedom and vitality, as seen in stories about animals in the Russian wilderness. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for expressive movement in literature, such as in works by Tolstoy, where characters' gaits convey inner emotions.

Related Concepts:

• прыжок (pryzhok - jump)
• шаг (shag - step)
• танец (tants - dance)