Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'remind'

English Word: remind

Key Russian Translations:

• напомнить [/nə.pəmˈnʲitʲ/] - [Perfective verb, Formal, Used in general contexts to indicate reminding someone of something]
• напоминать [/nə.pəmʲɪˈnatʲ/] - [Imperfective verb, Informal, Used for ongoing or repeated reminding]

Frequency: Medium - This verb is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "сказать" (to say).

Difficulty: B1 - Intermediate level according to CEFR, as it involves understanding verb aspects (perfective vs. imperfective); for "напомнить," it's B1, while "напоминать" may reach B2 due to aspectual nuances.

Pronunciation (Russian):

напомнить: /nə.pəmˈnʲitʲ/ - The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft consonant.

Note on напомнить: The 'тʲ' ending is palatalized, making it sound softer; in fast speech, it may blend with the previous vowel. Variations in regional accents might slightly alter vowel length.

Audio: []

напоминать: /nə.pəmʲɪˈnatʲ/ - Stress on the third syllable; the 'мʲ' is palatalized, common in Russian verbs.

Note on напоминать: This form often has a more prolonged vowel in informal speech; pay attention to the imperfective aspect for accurate pronunciation in context.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cause someone to remember something (e.g., reminding about a task or event)

Translation(s) & Context:

• напомнить - Used in formal or neutral contexts, such as professional emails or conversations, to prompt immediate recall.
• напоминать - Applied in informal settings for habitual or ongoing reminders, like in family discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, напомни мне о встрече в пять часов. (Please remind me of the meeting at five o'clock.)

  This example shows "напомнить" in a polite request, highlighting its use with time-specific contexts.

• Мама всегда напоминает мне о домашних заданиях. (Mom always reminds me about homework.)

  Here, "напоминать" demonstrates an ongoing action in a familial, informal setting.

• Не забудь напомнить коллегам о дедлайне. (Don't forget to remind your colleagues about the deadline.)

  This illustrates "напомнить" in a work-related imperative sentence, emphasizing urgency.

• Эта фотография напоминает мне о нашем отпуске. (This photo keeps reminding me of our vacation.)

  Using "напоминать" to show emotional or reflective contexts, common in personal narratives.

• Я напомню тебе об этом позже, чтобы ты не забыл. (I'll remind you about this later so you don't forget.)

  This example combines "напомнить" with future intentions, showcasing its integration in conditional statements.

To bring something back to mind indirectly (e.g., through association)

Translation(s) & Context:

• напомнить - In metaphorical contexts, like reminding via an object or story.

Usage Examples:

• Эта мелодия напомнила мне о детстве. (This melody reminded me of childhood.)

  Illustrates "напомнить" in a sensory or emotional context, often in reflective writing.

• Книга напоминает о важности дружбы. (The book keeps reminding of the importance of friendship.)

  Shows "напоминать" in a literary or philosophical discussion.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "напомнить" (perfective) and "напоминать" (imperperfective) are verbs that follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. "Напомнить" is irregular in its perfective form, while "напоминать" is more regular.

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the infinitive or future forms but do in the past tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспомнить - More about personal recollection, less about external reminding.
  • напомнить о - Similar but often used with prepositions for specificity.
• Antonyms:
  • забыть - Implies forgetting entirely.
  • игнорировать - Means to ignore, contrasting with active reminding.

Related Phrases:

• напомнить о чём-то - Reminds about something; used to specify the object of reminder.
• постоянно напоминать - Constantly remind; implies repetition in nagging contexts.
• напомнить себе - Remind oneself; common in self-reflection or notes.

Usage Notes:

Russian verbs like "напомнить" and "напоминать" must align with aspect: use "напомнить" for completed actions and "напоминать" for ongoing ones, unlike English "remind" which is neutral. In formal writing, pair with polite forms like "пожалуйста" (please). Be cautious with prepositions; for example, "напомнить о" is used for "about" something. If the context involves self-reminding, "напомнить себе" is idiomatic. Choose based on aspect for natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Mixing aspects: English learners often use "напоминать" when "напомнить" is needed for a one-time action, e.g., saying "Я напоминал тебе" instead of "Я напомнил тебе" for a past completed event. Correct: Use "напомнил" for finished reminders.
• Omitting prepositions: Forgetting "о" in "напомнить о чём-то," leading to incomplete sentences like "напомнить встречу" instead of "напомнить о встрече." Explanation: Prepositions are crucial in Russian for clarity.
• Gender agreement in past tense: Non-native speakers might say "напомнила" for a male subject, e.g., "Он напомнила" (wrong) vs. "Он напомнил" (correct). Always match past tense endings to the subject's gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, reminding others (e.g., via "напомнить") often carries a subtle tone of care or concern, especially in family or social settings, reflecting the value of community and memory in Russian society. For instance, it's common in literature like Chekhov's works to use such verbs to evoke nostalgia or moral lessons.

Related Concepts:

• вспоминать
• забыть
• память