Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'reassure'

English Word: reassure

Key Russian Translations:

• успокоить (/ʊspɐˈkojɪtʲ/) - [Formal, Verb; Used in contexts to calm or alleviate worries]
• обнадежить (/ɐbnɐˈdʲeʐɪtʲ/) - [Informal, Verb; Used when providing encouragement or reassurance in emotional situations]

Frequency: Medium (The verb forms are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "сказать").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and context, per CEFR standards. For "успокоить", it's B1; for "обнадежить", it may reach B2 due to nuanced emotional connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

успокоить: /ʊspɐˈkojɪtʲ/

Note on успокоить: The stress falls on the third syllable ("koj"), and the final "tʲ" is a palatalized 't' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, flowing rhythm to mimic natural Russian speech.

обнадежить: /ɐbnɐˈdʲeʐɪtʲ/

Note on обнадежить: The "ʐ" sound is similar to the 'zh' in "measure," and the palatalized "dʲ" adds a soft quality. Avoid overemphasizing the initial vowels for a more authentic flow.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make someone feel less worried or afraid (primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• успокоить - Used in formal or everyday contexts to reassure someone about fears or uncertainties, such as in medical or emotional situations.
• обнадежить - Applied in informal settings to provide hope and reassurance, often in personal relationships or motivational scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Доктор постарался успокоить пациента, объяснив, что операция пройдет гладко.

  The doctor tried to reassure the patient by explaining that the operation would go smoothly.

• Ее слова обнадежили меня в трудный момент, помогая преодолеть сомнения.

  Her words reassured me during a difficult moment, helping me overcome doubts.

• Родители всегда стараются успокоить ребенка перед сном, рассказывая сказки.

  Parents always try to reassure the child before bedtime by telling stories.

• Чтобы обнадежить команду, тренер подчеркнул их предыдущие успехи.

  To reassure the team, the coach highlighted their previous successes.

• В кризисные времена друзья могут успокоить друг друга простыми словами поддержки.

  In times of crisis, friends can reassure each other with simple words of support.

To confirm or restore confidence in something (secondary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• успокоить - Used when reassuring about reliability or safety, such as in business or technical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Менеджер успокоил инвесторов, заверив, что компания финансово стабильна.

  The manager reassured investors by assuring them that the company is financially stable.

• Эксперт постарался успокоить общественность относительно безопасности вакцины.

  The expert tried to reassure the public about the vaccine's safety.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which follow regular conjugation patterns in Russian. "Успокоить" and "обнадежить" are imperfective verbs in their infinitive form. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, number, and mood. Below is a table for "успокоить" (as an example; "обнадежить" follows similar patterns).

For "обнадежить", it is also a regular verb with similar conjugations (e.g., present: обнадеживаю). These verbs do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners at B1 level.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • успокоить - Подбодрить (podbodrit', to encourage; less formal, often used for quick reassurance)
  • обнадежить - Поддержать (podderzhat', to support; implies ongoing reassurance)
• Antonyms:
  • Тревожить (trevozhit', to worry)
  • Напугать (napugat', to scare)

Related Phrases:

• Успокоить нервы - To calm the nerves (Used for self-reassurance in stressful situations, e.g., during exams or anxiety.)
• Обнадежить обещаниями - To reassure with promises (Common in negotiations, implying future security.)
• Не стоит беспокоиться, я вас успокою - Don't worry, I'll reassure you (A fixed phrase for offering comfort in conversations.)

Usage Notes:

"Успокоить" directly corresponds to "reassure" in formal contexts, such as professional or medical settings, while "обнадежить" is better for emotional or motivational scenarios. Be mindful of the verb aspect: use imperfective forms (like успокаивать) for ongoing actions and perfective (успокоить) for completed ones. In Russian, reassurance often involves empathy, so pair these verbs with adverbs like "ласково" (gently). Choose "успокоить" for general use and "обнадежить" when hope is key; this helps avoid overgeneralization in speech.

Common Errors:

• Confusing verb aspects: Learners might use the imperfective "успокаивать" when a perfective action is needed, e.g., saying "Я успокаиваю его" instead of "Я успокоил его" for a completed reassurance. Correct: Use perfective for finished actions to match English past tense.
• Mispronouncing palatalized sounds: English speakers often soften "тʲ" incorrectly in "успокоить," making it sound like "uspokoit" without the palatalization. Error example: Pronouncing it as /ʊspɐkojɪt/ (losing the 'y' sound). Correct: Emphasize the soft 'tʲ' as in "cute."
• Overusing in informal contexts: Beginners might use "обнадежить" too casually, which can sound insincere. Error: Saying "Я обнадежу тебя" in a light chat; Correct: Reserve for genuine emotional support.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, reassurance like "успокоить" often ties to collectivism, where comforting others is a social norm, especially in family or community settings. For instance, during historical events like the Soviet era, phrases involving reassurance carried undertones of state propaganda, emphasizing stability amid uncertainty. This adds a layer of emotional depth, making these words more than mere translations—they reflect Russia's emphasis on resilience and mutual support.

Related Concepts:

• Тревога (trevoga, anxiety)
• Поддержка (podderzhka, support)
• Уверенность (uverenost', confidence)