Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'retort'

English Word: retort

Key Russian Translations:

• возражение [vəzrɐˈʐenʲɪje] - [Formal, used in debates or arguments]
• реплика [rʲɪˈplʲikə] - [Informal, often in conversational contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in spoken and written Russian, especially in argumentative or literary contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level; requires understanding of noun declensions and common debate vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

возражение: [vəzrɐˈʐenʲɪje]

реплика: [rʲɪˈplʲikə]

Note on возражение: The stress is on the third syllable; the 'ж' sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A sharp or witty reply in an argument (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возражение - Used in formal debates or written responses to counter an argument.
• реплика - Applied in informal conversations, like everyday dialogues or theater scripts.

Usage Examples:

• Его возражение было острым и убедительным, заставив оппонента замолчать.

  His retort was sharp and convincing, making his opponent fall silent.

• В споре она выдала реплику, которая рассмешила всех присутствующих.

  In the argument, she delivered a retort that made everyone present laugh.

• После его колкости, собеседник не нашел, что ответить в возражении.

  After his barb, the interlocutor couldn't find a retort to respond.

• Реплика в фильме прозвучала как идеальный ответ на предыдущее замечание.

  The retort in the movie sounded like the perfect reply to the previous remark.

• В политических дебатах возражение лидера было мастерски сформулировано.

  In the political debate, the leader's retort was masterfully formulated.

To reply sharply or counter an argument (Verb form, though 'retort' as a verb may align with related expressions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• возразить - Used when directly countering a statement in a formal setting.

Usage Examples:

• Он быстро возразил на обвинение, защищая свою позицию.

  He quickly retorted to the accusation, defending his position.

• В разговоре она возразила с иронией, что разрядило напряжение.

  In the conversation, she retorted with irony, which eased the tension.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'возражение' (a neuter noun), it follows standard Russian noun declension patterns. It is an abstract noun and declines based on case and number.

For 'реплика' (a feminine noun), it also follows regular declension:

For the verb 'возразить' (perfective), it conjugates irregularly in past tense but follows standard patterns: e.g., возразил (he retorted), возразила (she retorted).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • отпор (more physical connotation, used for strong counterarguments)
  • ответ (general reply, less sharp)
• Antonyms:
  • согласие (agreement)
  • молчание (silence)

Related Phrases:

• Быстрое возражение - A quick retort; often used in fast-paced discussions.
• Острая реплика - A sharp retort; implies wit or sarcasm in conversation.
• Подготовить возражение - To prepare a retort; common in debate preparation.

Usage Notes:

'Возражение' directly corresponds to 'retort' as a noun in formal English contexts, emphasizing a counterargument. In Russian, it's more common in written or structured speech, whereas 'реплика' suits informal or theatrical settings. Choose based on context: use 'возражение' for debates and 'реплика' for everyday talk. Note the gender and declension to ensure grammatical accuracy in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'возражение' in plural form incorrectly, e.g., saying "возражениями" when a singular is needed. Correct: Check the case based on sentence structure. Example of error: "Я сказал возражениями" (incorrect); Correct: "Я сказал возражение" (if nominative).
• Error: Confusing with 'ответ', which is a general reply, not necessarily sharp. Explanation: 'Ответ' lacks the edge of 'retort'; use 'возражение' for pointed responses.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a well-timed 'возражение' or 'реплика' is valued in intellectual discussions, reflecting the tradition of lively debates in literature and politics, as seen in works by Dostoevsky where characters engage in sharp retorts to reveal deeper truths.

Related Concepts:

• дискуссия (discussion)
• аргумент (argument)
• полемика (polemic)