Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'refrain'

English Word: refrain

Key Russian Translations:

• припев [prʲɪˈpʲef] - [Noun, Formal]
• повторение [pɐvˈtorʲenʲɪje] - [Noun, Informal, used in broader contexts like repeating phrases]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in music and literary discussions)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves basic noun forms and vocabulary related to arts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

припев: [prʲɪˈpʲef]

повторение: [pɐvˈtorʲenʲɪje]

Note on припев: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the palatalized 'p' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The repeating part of a song or poem

Translation(s) & Context:

• припев - Used in musical contexts, such as in songs or lyrics, to denote the catchy, repetitive section.
• повторение - Applied more generally for any repetition, but less specific to music; often in informal or everyday language.

Usage Examples:

• В этой песне припев западает в душу и повторяется несколько раз.

  In this song, the refrain sticks in your mind and is repeated several times.

• Композитор специально сделал припев простым, чтобы его легко запомнить.

  The composer deliberately made the refrain simple so that it's easy to remember.

• В поэме повторение строк в припеве подчеркивает главную тему.

  In the poem, the repetition of lines in the refrain emphasizes the main theme.

• Певцы часто импровизируют с припевом, чтобы сделать выступление более динамичным.

  Singers often improvise with the refrain to make the performance more dynamic.

• Этот припев из народной песни стал символом национального единства.

  This refrain from a folk song has become a symbol of national unity.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the noun 'припев', it is a masculine noun in Russian and follows the standard third declension pattern. It has regular inflections based on case and number.

For 'повторение', it is a neuter noun and follows the second declension with regular inflections similar to above, but it is less variable in everyday use.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • куплет [Used for verse in songs, but can overlap with refrain in some contexts]
  • рефрен [A direct borrowing, more formal and less common]
• Antonyms:
  • интро [Intro, as it contrasts with the repeating part]
  • заключение [Conclusion, for the ending part]

Related Phrases:

• Запевать припев - To start singing the refrain; often used in group singing or performances.
• Припев на память - Refrain by heart; refers to memorizing the catchy part easily.
• Повторять припев - To repeat the refrain; common in educational or musical contexts for emphasis.

Usage Notes:

'Припев' directly corresponds to the English 'refrain' in musical contexts and is the most precise translation. Use it in formal discussions about music or literature. 'Повторение' is broader and can be used informally for any repetition, but it's less specific. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical cases when using these nouns in sentences. For English learners, choose 'припев' when the context is clearly musical to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'припев' with 'куплет': Learners might use 'куплет' (verse) instead of 'припев'. Correct usage: 'Припев повторяется' (The refrain is repeated) vs. Incorrect: 'Куплет повторяется' (which means the verse is repeated).

• Misapplying cases: For example, saying 'в припев' instead of 'в припеве' in prepositional case. Correct: 'В припеве песни' (In the refrain of the song).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, refrains in folk songs (like those in traditional 'баяны' or balalaika music) often carry emotional or patriotic weight, symbolizing unity or shared heritage. For instance, the refrain in songs from World War II era serves as a reminder of historical resilience.

Related Concepts:

• куплет
• стихотворение
• музыкальный мотив