Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'preen'

English Word: preen

Key Russian Translations:

• прихорашиваться [prʲɪxɐˈravʲɪt͡sə] - [Informal, often used for self-grooming with a connotation of vanity]
• чистить перья [ˈt͡ɕɪstʲɪtʲ ˈpʲerʲjə] - [Literal, used specifically for birds; Neutral]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation but appear in literature, animal descriptions, or idiomatic expressions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Learners at this level should understand the basic verb forms and contexts, but the nuances of vanity in "прихорашиваться" may require advanced exposure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прихорашиваться: [prʲɪxɐˈravʲɪt͡sə]

чистить перья: [ˈt͡ɕɪstʲɪtʲ ˈpʲerʲjə]

Note on прихорашиваться: This reflexive verb has a soft 'х' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice the rolling 'r' and the palatalized consonants for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To clean and arrange feathers (of birds)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чистить перья - Used in literal descriptions of animal behavior, such as in nature documentaries or biology texts; common in neutral or scientific contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Птица чистит перья на ветке. [The bird is preening its feathers on the branch.]

  The bird is preening its feathers on the branch. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, describing a routine action.)

• После дождя, воробей начал чистить перья. [After the rain, the sparrow started preening its feathers.]

  After the rain, the sparrow started preening its feathers. (Illustrates the verb in a past tense, linked to a specific event.)

• Молодые птенцы учатся чистить перья самостоятельно. [Young chicks are learning to preen their feathers on their own.]

  Young chicks are learning to preen their feathers on their own. (Demonstrates the verb in an infinitive form within a learning context.)

• В зоопарке, попугаи чистят перья, чтобы оставаться чистыми. [In the zoo, parrots preen their feathers to stay clean.]

  In the zoo, parrots preen their feathers to stay clean. (Shows the verb with a purpose clause, emphasizing hygiene.)

2. To groom oneself carefully, often with vanity or self-admiration

Translation(s) & Context:

• прихорашиваться - Used in informal or literary contexts to describe someone fixing their appearance, often implying conceit; common in everyday speech about personal grooming.

Usage Examples:

• Перед вечеринкой она долго прихорашивалась перед зеркалом. [Before the party, she spent a long time preening herself in front of the mirror.]

  Before the party, she spent a long time preening herself in front of the mirror. (This highlights the verb in a past tense, focusing on preparation.)

• Молодой мужчина любит прихорашиваться, чтобы привлечь внимание. [The young man likes to preen himself to attract attention.]

  The young man likes to preen himself to attract attention. (Illustrates the verb in the present tense with an infinitive, showing motivation.)

• В фильме, актриса прихорашивается перед камерой. [In the film, the actress is preening herself in front of the camera.]

  In the film, the actress is preening herself in front of the camera. (Demonstrates the verb in a narrative context, implying vanity.)

• Дети иногда прихорашиваются, копируя взрослых. [Children sometimes preen themselves, imitating adults.]

  Children sometimes preen themselves, imitating adults. (Shows the verb in a habitual sense, with a comparative structure.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "прихорашиваться" (a reflexive verb, imperfective aspect), it follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns. It is irregular in some forms due to its reflexive ending "-ся". Below is a conjugation table for the present tense:

For "чистить перья" (a phrase with the verb "чистить", which is imperfective), "чистить" conjugates regularly as a first-conjugation verb. It does not change for "перья" in this context, as it's a fixed phrase. Example: Present tense of "чистить" - чищу, чистишь, чистит, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ухоживать (to groom or take care of oneself; more neutral and less vain)
  • приводить в порядок (to put in order; used for tidying up)
• Antonyms:
  • не ухаживать (to neglect one's appearance)
  • грязнить (to make dirty or unkempt)

Related Phrases:

• прихорашиваться перед зеркалом - [To preen in front of the mirror; Often used to describe vain behavior in social settings.]
• чистить перья как птица - [To preen like a bird; A metaphorical phrase for self-care in literature or idioms.]

Usage Notes:

"Preen" in English often carries a connotation of vanity, which aligns closely with "прихорашиваться" in Russian. However, use "чистить перья" only for literal bird behavior to avoid confusion. In formal contexts, opt for "ухоживать" instead of "прихорашиваться" to reduce the vanity implication. Remember that Russian reflexive verbs like "прихорашиваться" require the "-ся" ending, which indicates the action is directed back to the subject.

Common Errors:

• English learners often misuse "прихорашиваться" by forgetting the reflexive ending, saying "прихорашивать" instead, which is incorrect. Correct usage: "Я прихорашиваюсь" (I preen myself), not "Я прихорашиваю". This error stems from direct translation without considering Russian grammar.

• Confusing it with "чищать" (to clean generally), leading to phrases like "Я чищу перья" for human grooming, which implies literal feather cleaning. Correct: Use "прихорашиваться" for people to convey vanity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "прихорашиваться" can evoke images from literature, such as in works by Chekhov, where characters preen to impress others, reflecting societal emphasis on appearance in social interactions. This ties into broader themes of vanity in Russian folklore and modern media.

Related Concepts:

• ухоженный (well-groomed)
• самовлюбленный (self-absorbed)
• перья (feathers, in a literal or metaphorical sense)