Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'prefigure'

English Word: prefigure

Key Russian Translations:

• Предвосхищать [prʲɪdvɐˈʂxʲitʲ] - [Formal, Verb]
• Предвещать [prʲɪdˈvʲeʂʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, Verb]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literary, academic, or predictive contexts, but not in everyday casual speech)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced meanings, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Предвосхищать: [prʲɪdvɐˈʂxʲitʲ]

Note on Предвосхищать: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'ш' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its fricative quality.

Audio: []

Предвещать: [prʲɪdˈvʲeʂʲɪtʲ]

Note on Предвещать: Stress falls on the second syllable; the 'в' is pronounced softly, blending into the following vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To foreshadow or indicate something in advance

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предвосхищать - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe anticipating or prefiguring events, such as in predictions or art.
• Предвещать - Applied in contexts involving omens or signs, often in historical or prophetic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот роман предвосхищает будущие социальные изменения. (This novel prefigures future social changes.)

  English Translation: This novel prefigures future social changes.

• Его речь предвещала политический кризис. (His speech prefigured a political crisis.)

  English Translation: His speech prefigured a political crisis.

• Художник предвосхищает настроения эпохи в своих картинах. (The artist prefigures the moods of the era in his paintings.)

  English Translation: The artist prefigures the moods of the era in his paintings.

• Эти события предвещали конец империи. (These events prefigured the end of the empire.)

  English Translation: These events prefigured the end of the empire.

To represent or depict something beforehand

Translation(s) & Context:

• Предвосхищать - Common in creative or analytical contexts, such as literature or design, to show preliminary representations.

Usage Examples:

• Архитектор предвосхищает дизайн здания в эскизах. (The architect prefigures the building's design in sketches.)

  English Translation: The architect prefigures the building's design in sketches.

• Эта теория предвосхищает современные научные открытия. (This theory prefigures modern scientific discoveries.)

  English Translation: This theory prefigures modern scientific discoveries.

• Фильм предвосхищает будущие технологии. (The film prefigures future technologies.)

  English Translation: The film prefigures future technologies.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Предвосхищать" and "Предвещать" are first-conjugation verbs in Russian, which follow regular patterns but can have irregularities in certain forms. They are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions.

For "Предвосхищать":

For "Предвещать": Similar conjugation pattern.

These verbs do not have irregular forms but require aspectual pairs (e.g., perfective forms like "предвосхитить" for Предвосхищать).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Предсказывать (more general prediction)
  • Ознаменовывать (to signify or mark)
• Antonyms:
  • Откладывать (to postpone or delay)
  • Игнорировать (to ignore)

Related Phrases:

• Предвосхищать события - (To prefigure events; used in contexts of prophecy or foresight.)
• Предвещать беду - (To foreshadow trouble; common in dramatic or warning scenarios.)
• Предвосхищать реальность - (To prefigure reality; often in artistic or philosophical discussions.)

Usage Notes:

"Prefigure" translates most accurately to "Предвосхищать" when emphasizing anticipation in creative or intellectual contexts, while "Предвещать" is better for ominous or prophetic uses. Both are formal and rarely used in casual conversation; opt for simpler synonyms in everyday Russian. Pay attention to verb aspect: use the imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective (e.g., "предвосхитить") for completed ones. English learners should note that Russian verbs require agreement with subject gender and number.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "Предвосхищать" with "Предсказывать" and using it interchangeably. Correct: "Предвосхищать" implies a more subtle prefiguration, while "Предсказывать" is direct prediction. Example: Incorrect - "Я предвосхищаю погоду" (for weather forecast); Correct - "Я предсказываю погоду".
• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Он предвосхищается" instead of "Он предвосхищает". Correct: Ensure proper reflexive forms if needed, but this verb doesn't require it.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Предвещать" often carry connotations from folklore and literature, such as in works by Pushkin or Dostoevsky, where events "prefigure" tragic outcomes. This reflects a cultural emphasis on fate and destiny, influencing how Russians interpret signs in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• Пророчество (prophecy)
• Омен (omen)
• Антиicipation (anticipation, though this is more general)