Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'repartee'

English Word: repartee

Key Russian Translations:

• Остроумный ответ [ɐsˈtroʊmnɨj ɐtˈvʲɛt] - [Informal, used in everyday conversations for witty exchanges]
• Реплика [rʲɪˈplʲikə] - [Formal, often in literary or theatrical contexts]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday Russian speech but appear in literature, debates, or humorous discussions.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate for 'Остроумный ответ'; C1 Advanced for 'Реплика', as it involves understanding nuanced wordplay and grammatical structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Остроумный ответ: [ɐsˈtroʊmnɨj ɐtˈvʲɛt]

Note on Остроумный ответ: The stress falls on the second syllable of "остроумный" [ˈstroʊmnɨj], which can be tricky for learners due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce it with a clear "y" sound in "умный" to emphasize wit.

Реплика: [rʲɪˈplʲikə]

Note on Реплика: The initial "р" is rolled, and the vowel in the second syllable is soft; this word often varies slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary meaning: A quick, witty reply in conversation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Остроумный ответ - Used in informal settings like social gatherings or friendly debates to describe clever comebacks.
• Реплика - Applied in formal contexts, such as theater, literature, or professional discussions, to denote a scripted or spontaneous retort.

Usage Examples:

• В споре он всегда готов с остроумным ответом, чтобы разрядить обстановку.

  In an argument, he's always ready with a repartee to lighten the mood.

• Её реплика в пьесе была полна иронии и вызвала смех у аудитории.

  Her repartee in the play was full of irony and elicited laughter from the audience.

• Друг дал мне остроумный ответ на мою шутку, что сделало разговор ещё интереснее.

  My friend gave me a witty repartee in response to my joke, making the conversation even more engaging.

• В деловой встрече его реплика была острой и точной, помогая перехватить инициативу.

  In the business meeting, his repartee was sharp and precise, helping him take the initiative.

• Она мастерски использовала остроумный ответ, чтобы уклониться от прямого вопроса.

  She skillfully used repartee to dodge a direct question.

Secondary meaning: A series of witty exchanges in dialogue.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Остроумный ответ - In broader contexts like storytelling or comedy routines.
• Реплика - In dramatic or scripted scenarios, emphasizing dialogue flow.

Usage Examples:

• В комедийном фильме серия остроумных ответов между героями держала зрителей в напряжении.

  In the comedy film, a series of repartees between the characters kept the audience engaged.

• Актеры обменивались репликами, создавая атмосферу лёгкости и юмора на сцене.

  The actors exchanged repartees, creating an atmosphere of lightness and humor on stage.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Остроумный ответ' is a phrase where 'остроумный' is an adjective and 'ответ' is a masculine noun. 'Реплика' is a feminine noun. Russian nouns and adjectives inflect based on case, number, and gender.

For 'ответ' (noun, masculine):

For 'остроумный' (adjective), it agrees with the noun and follows standard adjective declension patterns, e.g., остроумного in genitive singular.

For 'Реплика' (feminine noun, follows first declension):

Both words are regular in their inflections, with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Шутка (joke, with a lighter tone), Отповедь (retort, more defensive), Выпад (thrust, in debates)
• – Шутка is often used for humorous contexts, while Отповедь implies a sharper response.
• Antonyms: Серьёзный ответ (serious reply), Монотонная речь (monotonous speech)

Related Phrases:

• Быстрая реплика - A quick comeback; used in fast-paced conversations to maintain engagement.
• Остроумная отповедь - A witty retort; common in argumentative or humorous exchanges.
• Реплика в диалоге - Line in dialogue; often seen in theatrical scripts for dramatic effect.

Usage Notes:

'Repartee' corresponds closely to 'остроумный ответ' in informal English-Russian contexts, emphasizing wit and timing, but 'реплика' is better for structured settings like theater. Be mindful of the informal/formal divide: use 'остроумный ответ' in casual speech and 'реплика' in professional or literary discussions. Grammatically, ensure adjectives agree with nouns in gender, number, and case. When choosing between translations, opt for 'остроумный ответ' if the focus is on humor, and 'реплика' for scripted or historical contexts.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'остроумный ответ' in formal writing, which may sound too casual. Correct: Opt for 'реплика' in such contexts, e.g., Incorrect: "В книге есть остроумный ответ." Correct: "В книге есть реплика." Explanation: 'Реплика' better suits literary analysis to avoid diminishing the formality.

• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "остроумный ответы" (incorrect plural). Correct: "остроумные ответы." Explanation: Adjectives in Russian must match the noun's case, number, and gender.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, repartee like 'остроумный ответ' is highly valued in social interactions, reflecting the wit seen in classic literature (e.g., Chekhov's plays). It often ties to the tradition of 'анекдоты' (anecdotes or jokes), where quick verbal exchanges demonstrate intelligence and humor, contrasting with more reserved Western styles.

Related Concepts:

• Юмор
• Диалог
• Шутка