Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prank'

English Word: prank

Key Russian Translations:

• Розыгрыш [rɐˈzɨɡrɨʂ] - [Informal, often used in playful contexts]
• Шутка [ˈʂutkə] - [General, can be formal or informal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations, especially among younger speakers or in media)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of basic noun declensions and contextual usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Розыгрыш: [rɐˈzɨɡrɨʂ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'ы' sound is a distinct Russian vowel, similar to a short 'i' but more centralized.)

Note on Розыгрыш: Be cautious with the rolled 'r' and the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Regional variations may soften the pronunciation in southern dialects.

Шутка: [ˈʂutkə] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'ш' is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, like 'sh' in 'shoe'.)

Note on Шутка: The final 'a' is reduced in casual speech, sounding more like a schwa [ə].

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A practical joke or mischievous act (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Розыгрыш - Used in informal settings, such as among friends or in entertainment contexts, to describe a light-hearted trick.
• Шутка - More general and versatile, applicable in both playful and mildly formal situations, like in storytelling or media.

Usage Examples:

• Мои друзья устроили забавный розыгрыш на день рождения.

  My friends pulled off a funny prank at the birthday party.

• Эта шутка была слишком злой и обидела некоторых людей.

  This prank was too mean and upset some people.

• В кинофильме главный герой становится жертвой классического розыгрыша.

  In the movie, the main character becomes the victim of a classic prank.

• Дети любят устраивать шутки друг с другом во время каникул.

  Kids love to play pranks on each other during holidays.

Meaning 2: To play a prank on someone (Verb form, though 'prank' as a verb is less common; equivalents may vary)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Подшутить (verb) - Informal, direct action of playing a trick, often with a sense of mischief.
• Сделать розыгрыш - Used in narrative contexts to describe setting up a prank.

Usage Examples:

• Он решил подшутить над коллегой, спрятав его вещи.

  He decided to prank his colleague by hiding his things.

• Не стоит делать розыгрыш, если это может кого-то обидеть.

  Don't play a prank if it might hurt someone's feelings.

• Подшутить над друзьями – это традиция на наших вечеринках.

  Pranking friends is a tradition at our parties.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most key translations like "розыгрыш" and "шутка" are nouns and follow standard Russian inflection patterns. "Розыгрыш" is a masculine noun, while "шутка" is feminine. Below is a table outlining common inflections for these words.

Note: These are regular inflections. For verbs like "подшутить," it conjugates as a standard imperfective verb: e.g., Present: подшучиваю, подшучиваешь.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Шутка (general synonym, but often lighter)
  • Подшутка (implies a quick, witty trick; differs from розыгрыш by being less elaborate)
  • Розыгрыш (exact match, but can be interchanged in informal contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Серьезность (seriousness, as it contrasts with playful intent)
  • Правда (truth, opposing the deceptive nature of a prank)

Related Phrases:

• Устроить розыгрыш – To set up a prank (Used in planning or executing a joke, often in social settings).
• Злая шутка – A mean prank (Implies a prank with negative consequences, highlighting potential harm).
• Подшутить над кем-то – To play a prank on someone (Common in interpersonal dynamics, like among friends).

Usage Notes:

"Prank" in English often carries a light-hearted connotation, but its Russian equivalents like "розыгрыш" or "шутка" can vary based on context. Choose "розыгрыш" for more elaborate, planned tricks, and "шутка" for spontaneous ones. Be mindful of formality: "розыгрыш" is informal and may not suit professional settings, while "шутка" is more flexible. Grammatically, these nouns require correct case agreement with verbs and prepositions, e.g., "в розыгрыше" (in the prank). When translating verbs, use "подшутить" for direct actions to maintain the playful tone.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "шутка" interchangeably with "розыгрыш" without considering severity. For example, English learners might say "Это была шутка" for a harmful prank, which downplays it.

  Correct: Use "злой розыгрыш" to indicate a mean prank. Explanation: "Шутка" often implies harmless fun, so it can mislead in serious contexts.

• Error: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "в розыгрыш" instead of "в розыгрыше" for "in the prank."

  Correct: "В розыгрыше" (Prepositional case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, and beginners often forget this, leading to grammatical errors.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pranks like "розыгрыш" are popular during holidays such as April Fools' Day (День дурака) or New Year's Eve, reflecting a tradition of humor and light-hearted deception. However, what might be seen as playful in one context could be perceived as rude in another, emphasizing the importance of social awareness in Russian interpersonal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• Юмор (humor)
• Ирония (irony)
• Сарказм (sarcasm)