Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'salivate'

English Word: salivate

Key Russian Translations:

• слюнить [slʲunʲitʲ] - [Informal]
• выделять слюну [vɨɪdʲɪlʲatʲ slʲunʲu] - [Formal, Used in medical or scientific contexts]

Frequency: Low (This verb and its equivalents are not commonly used in everyday conversation but may appear in literature, medical discussions, or descriptive writing.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and physiological vocabulary. For 'слюнить', it's B2; for 'выделять слюну', it could be C1 due to more formal phrasing.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

слюнить: [slʲunʲitʲ] (The 'slʲ' sound is a soft 'sl' with a palatalized 'l', which can be challenging for English speakers; emphasize the 'y' glide.)

выделять слюну: [vɨɪdʲɪlʲatʲ slʲunʲu] (Pronounce with stress on the second syllable of 'выделять'; the 'ɨ' is a central vowel similar to the 'u' in 'but'.)

Note on слюнить: This word features a soft consonant cluster; practice the palatalization to avoid sounding harsh. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'tʲ' ending.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To produce saliva, especially in response to food or appetite.

Translation(s) & Context:

• слюнить - Used in informal, everyday contexts to describe a reflexive physiological response, such as when someone is tempted by food.
• выделять слюну - Applied in formal or technical settings, like medical reports or scientific descriptions, to denote the biological process.

Usage Examples:

• Собака слюнит, когда слышит звук открываемой банки с едой.

  The dog salivates when it hears the sound of a can of food being opened. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense with an animal subject.)

• Он слюнит при виде аппетитного десерта, но старается контролировать себя.

  He salivates at the sight of an appetizing dessert but tries to control himself. (Illustrates use in a human context with emotional restraint.)

• Врачи объясняют, что организм начинает выделять слюну в ответ на запах пищи.

  Doctors explain that the body begins to salivate in response to the smell of food. (Demonstrates the formal translation in an educational or scientific context.)

• Дети часто слюнят во время просмотра мультфильмов о еде.

  Children often salivate while watching cartoons about food. (Shows the verb in a habitual action with a plural subject.)

• После пробуждения некоторые люди выделяют слюну из-за ночного голода.

  After waking up, some people salivate due to overnight hunger. (Highlights the formal phrase in a health-related scenario.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'слюнить' is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, following the -ить pattern, which means it has regular inflections based on person, number, tense, and aspect. It is imperfective, indicating an ongoing action.

For 'выделять слюну', this is a phrase involving the verb 'выделять' (to secrete), which is also first-conjugation and follows similar rules. It remains unchanged as a phrase but can be inflected: e.g., выделяет слюну (he secretes saliva). No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: слюнотечь (more noun-like, meaning salivation), текут слюни (idiomatic for drooling)
• Explanation: 'слюнотечь' is less common and often used in medical contexts, while 'текут слюни' implies a more vivid, informal description.
• Antonyms: подавлять слюноотделение (to suppress salivation) - Not a direct single word, but indicates the opposite action.

Related Phrases:

• Текут слюни - Literally "saliva is flowing," used idiomatically to mean "drooling with desire" for food; often in humorous contexts.
• Вызывать слюноотделение - "To induce salivation," common in medical or culinary discussions, e.g., spices causing this effect.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'слюнить' is a direct but informal equivalent to 'salivate', best used in casual speech or writing to avoid sounding overly technical. 'Выделять слюну' is preferred in formal settings, such as scientific texts, to maintain precision. English speakers should note that Russian verbs require conjugation based on subject, so always match the person and number. When choosing between translations, opt for 'слюнить' in everyday scenarios and 'выделять слюну' for professional contexts to ensure cultural appropriateness.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'слюнить' in formal writing, e.g., saying "Пациент слюнит" in a medical report instead of "Пациент выделяет слюну". Correct: The latter is more appropriate as it sounds professional. Explanation: 'слюнить' can come across as too colloquial or even vulgar in formal contexts.
• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Он слюнится" (wrong form) instead of "Он слюнит". Correct: "Он слюнит" is the proper present tense; adding '-ся' implies a reflexive action not applicable here. Explanation: This mistake often stems from confusing it with reflexive verbs like 'мыться' (to wash oneself).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions related to salivation, like 'текут слюни', are often used humorously in contexts involving food cravings, reflecting the importance of communal meals and appetite in daily life. This ties into traditions where food is central to social gatherings, such as family dinners or holidays, emphasizing sensory experiences.

Related Concepts:

• голод (hunger)
• аппетит (appetite)
• слюноотделение (salivation as a process)