Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scram'

English Word: scram

Key Russian Translations:

• Сматывайся /sməˈtivəjsə/ - [Informal, Imperative, Used in casual or urgent situations to command someone to leave quickly]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday spoken Russian, especially in informal contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "идти").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level should understand imperative forms and informal commands, but mastering the nuances requires practice with colloquial speech).

Pronunciation (Russian):

Сматывайся: /sməˈtivəjsə/

Note on Сматывайся: The stress falls on the third syllable ("tiv"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's variable stress patterns. Pronounce the "ы" as a high central vowel, similar to the "i" in "bit" but more centralized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To leave or escape quickly, often in a hurried or informal manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• Сматывайся - Used in informal, spoken contexts to urgently tell someone to get away, similar to "scram" in English casual speech (e.g., in arguments or playful scolding).

Usage Examples:

• Сматывайся отсюда, пока не поздно! (Smatyvaysya otsyuda, poka ne pozdno!)

  Translation: Scram from here before it's too late! (This example shows the word in an imperative command, emphasizing urgency in a conflict situation.)

• Когда он увидел полицейских, он быстро сматывался. (Kogda on uvidel politsieskikh, on bystro smatyvalsya.)

  Translation: When he saw the police, he scrammed quickly. (Here, it's used in the past tense to describe evading authority, highlighting its action-oriented context.)

• Дети, сматывайтесь в дом, начинается дождь! (Deti, smatyvaytes' v dom, nachinaetsya dozhd'!)

  Translation: Kids, scram into the house, it's starting to rain! (This demonstrates the plural imperative form in a protective, everyday scenario.)

• Не сматывайся так быстро; мы ещё не закончили разговор. (Ne smatyvaysya tak bystro; my yeshche ne zakonchili razgovor.)

  Translation: Don't scram so quickly; we haven't finished the conversation yet. (This example illustrates negation and interpersonal dynamics in informal dialogue.)

• В фильме герой сматывался от преследователей по крышам. (V fil'me geroy smatyvalsya ot presledovateley po krysham.)

  Translation: In the movie, the hero scrammed from his pursuers across the rooftops. (This shows the word in a narrative context, often in action or adventure stories.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сматывайся" is the imperative singular form of the reflexive verb "смативаться" (smatyvat'sya), which means "to wind up and leave" or "to scram." This verb belongs to the first conjugation and has reflexive endings. It is irregular in some aspects due to its colloquial nature.

Note: The verb changes based on aspect (imperfective: сматываться), gender, number, and person. It is commonly used in informal speech and does not have a perfective counterpart in all contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Убирайся (Ubiraysya) - More direct and rude, often used interchangeably but with a stronger confrontational tone.
  • Беги (Begi) - Means "run," implying speed but less emphasis on leaving discreetly.
  • Исчезай (Ischezay) - Similar to "disappear," used for vanishing quickly in a playful or evasive context.
• Antonyms:
  • Останься (Ostansya) - Means "stay," directly opposing the idea of leaving.
  • Подожди (Podozhdi) - Means "wait," contrasting with the urgency to depart.

Related Phrases:

• Сматывайся подобру-поздорову (Smatyvaysya podobru-pozdorovu) - Meaning: Leave peacefully or scram without causing trouble; a fixed phrase used to advise quick, amicable departure.
• Быстро сматываться от проблем (Bystro smatyvat'sya ot problem) - Meaning: To scram quickly from problems; highlights evasion in challenging situations.
• Сматывайся в кусты (Smatyvaysya v kusty) - Meaning: To hide or scram into the bushes; an idiomatic expression for concealing oneself hastily.

Usage Notes:

"Сматывайся" is a highly informal and colloquial equivalent to "scram," best used in spoken Russian among friends or in casual settings. It doesn't have a direct one-to-one correspondence with English due to cultural nuances—Russian speakers might prefer it in situations involving humor, urgency, or mild conflict. Be cautious with its imperative form, as it can come across as rude in formal contexts. When choosing between translations like "Сматывайся" and "Убирайся," opt for the former if the tone is playful rather than aggressive. Grammatically, ensure subject-verb agreement in related forms, as Russian verbs inflect for person and number.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Сматывайся" in formal writing or with strangers, which can sound overly casual or offensive. Correct Usage: Stick to informal speech; for formal contexts, use "Пожалуйста, уходите" (Please leave). Explanation: English learners often overlook register differences, leading to social awkwardness.
• Mistake: Incorrect inflection, e.g., saying "Сматывайся" for plural subjects instead of "Сматывайтесь." Correct Usage: "Сматывайтесь, ребята!" (Scram, guys!). Explanation: Russian requires precise agreement, unlike English imperatives, so practice verb conjugations to avoid this.
• Mistake: Confusing it with similar verbs like "Бежать" (to run), leading to overuse. Correct Usage: Use "Сматывайся" specifically for leaving a situation, not just physical running. Explanation: This error stems from partial synonyms, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like "Сматывайся" often reflect a direct, no-nonsense communication style, rooted in historical contexts like Soviet-era informal speech. It can carry a humorous or ironic connotation in modern usage, such as in films or anecdotes, emphasizing resilience or quick thinking in everyday challenges, rather than literal fear.

Related Concepts:

• Уходить (Ukhodit) - To leave or depart.
• Бежать (Begat') - To run or flee.
• Исчезать (Ischezat') - To disappear.