Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'regale'

English Word: regale

Key Russian Translations:

• развлекать (/rəzvlʲɪˈkatʲ/) - [Informal, Verb, Used in storytelling or entertainment contexts]
• угощать (/uɡɐˈʂʂatʲ/) - [Formal, Verb, Used when offering food or treats, often in social settings]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature and everyday conversations, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations, suitable for learners with basic grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

развлекать: /rəzvlʲɪˈkatʲ/

Note on развлекать: The stress is on the third syllable; be cautious with the soft 'л' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in casual speech may soften the consonants.

угощать: /uɡɐˈʂʂatʲ/

Note on угощать: The 'щ' sound is a palatalized fricative; practice it as a prolonged 'sh' with a slight whistle. Regional accents might alter the vowel length.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To entertain or amuse with stories or anecdotes

Translation(s) & Context:

• развлекать - Used in informal social gatherings, such as parties, to describe entertaining others with tales.
• угощать - Less common for this meaning; applied when entertainment involves hospitality, like at a dinner.

Usage Examples:

• Он развлекал гостей забавными историями из детства.

  He regaled the guests with funny stories from his childhood.

• Во время ужина она развлекала нас анекдотами о путешествиях.

  During dinner, she regaled us with anecdotes about her travels.

• Друзья любят угощать друг друга рассказами у костра.

  Friends love to regale each other with stories around the campfire.

• Развлекать публику на сцене — это настоящее искусство.

  Regaling the audience on stage is a true art form.

To provide with lavish food or treats

Translation(s) & Context:

• угощать - Primarily used in contexts involving hospitality, such as hosting events or offering meals.
• развлекать - Rarely used for this meaning; only if entertainment includes food.

Usage Examples:

• Хозяева угощали гостей изысканными блюдами на банкете.

  The hosts regaled the guests with exquisite dishes at the banquet.

• Во время праздника мы угощали друзей сладостями и напитками.

  During the holiday, we regaled our friends with sweets and drinks.

• Она всегда угощает соседей домашними пирогами в выходные.

  She always regales the neighbors with homemade pies on weekends.

• Угощать гостей в русской традиции подразумевает щедрость.

  Regaling guests in Russian tradition implies great generosity.

• Развлекать и угощать — это ключ к успешному вечеру.

  Regaling with entertainment and treats is the key to a successful evening.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "развлекать" and "угощать" are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -ать.

For "развлекать" (to entertain):

For "угощать" (to treat):

These verbs are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • развлекать: забавлять (zabavlyat' – to amuse, often in a lighter context)
  • угощать: кормить (kormit' – to feed, more literal for providing food)
• Antonyms:
  • развлекать: скучать (skuchat' – to be bored)
  • угощать: отказывать (otkazyvat' – to refuse, in the context of hospitality)

Related Phrases:

• Развлекать гостей историями – To regale guests with stories; used in social entertainment settings.
• Угощать чаем и печеньем – To regale with tea and cookies; a common phrase for offering refreshments in Russian culture.
• Развлекать публику – To regale the audience; often in performance contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Развлекать" best corresponds to the entertainment aspect of "regale" and is ideal for informal contexts, while "угощать" aligns with the hospitality side, especially in formal or cultural events. Choose based on the primary focus: stories for the former, food for the latter. Be mindful of verb aspect in Russian; use imperfective forms like these for ongoing actions. In social scenarios, these verbs often imply generosity, which is culturally significant in Russian interactions.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "развлекать" with "угощать" and using it incorrectly for food-related contexts. Incorrect: Он развлекал гостей едой (He regaled guests with food). Correct: Он угощал гостей едой. Explanation: "Развлекать" focuses on amusement, not provisioning; mix-ups can lead to awkward phrasing.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., using the infinitive in a sentence. Incorrect: Я развлекать друзей. Correct: Я развлекаю друзей. Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject; English speakers often overlook this due to less rigid conjugation in English.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "угощать" embodies the tradition of hospitality (гостеприимство), where offering food or entertainment to guests is a sign of warmth and generosity. This stems from historical communal practices, such as during festivals or family gatherings, emphasizing social bonds over individualism.

Related Concepts:

• гостеприимство (hospitality)
• забава (amusement)
• традиции (traditions)