Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scurry'

English Word: scurry

Key Russian Translations:

• спешить [ˈspʲe.ʂɨtʲ] - [Verb, Informal, often used in everyday contexts for quick movement]
• торопиться [tɐ.rɐˈpʲi.t͡sə] - [Verb, Formal, implies a sense of urgency in professional or polite settings]
• мчаться [ˈmʲt͡ɕə.t͡sə] - [Verb, Informal, emphasizes rapid, almost frantic movement]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in conversational Russian but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "идти").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugation and context, with 'спешить' being slightly easier and 'торопиться' more challenging due to formal nuances).

Pronunciation (Russian):

спешить: [ˈspʲe.ʂɨtʲ]

торопиться: [tɐ.rɐˈpʲi.t͡sə]

мчаться: [ˈmʲt͡ɕə.t͡sə]

Note on спешить: The 'ш' sound ([ʂ]) can be tricky for English speakers as it's a retroflex fricative; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To move hurriedly or scamper quickly

Translation(s) & Context:

• спешить - Used in casual, everyday situations where someone is rushing due to time constraints.
• торопиться - Applied in more formal or urgent contexts, such as professional environments.
• мчаться - Reserved for high-energy, physical rushing, like in action scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Я спешу на встречу, извините за опоздание.

  I am hurrying to the meeting, sorry for being late. (Shows 'scurry' in a daily time-sensitive context.)

• Дети мчатся по парку, как маленькие мышки.

  The children are scurrying through the park like little mice. (Illustrates playful, rapid movement.)

• Он торопится закончить проект до deadline.

  He is scurrying to finish the project before the deadline. (Demonstrates formal urgency in work settings.)

• Мы спешим домой, чтобы избежать дождя.

  We are scurrying home to avoid the rain. (Highlights environmental urgency.)

• В толпе люди мчатся, чтобы успеть на поезд.

  In the crowd, people are scurrying to catch the train. (Shows 'scurry' in a busy public scenario.)

To imply nervous or quick activity (e.g., as a noun in English)

Translation(s) & Context:

• спешить - In extended contexts, can imply a state of busyness, but less common as a noun equivalent.
• суета (related noun form) - For the noun sense, meaning 'fuss' or 'hurry'.

Usage Examples:

• В офисе всегда есть суета перед важным совещанием.

  There's always a scurry in the office before an important meeting. (Depicts general bustle.)

• Не стоит спешить с решениями; подумай сначала.

  Don't scurry with decisions; think first. (Advises against hasty actions.)

• Эта суета в аэропорту меня утомляет.

  This scurry in the airport exhausts me. (Refers to chaotic movement.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the verbs like 'спешить' and 'торопиться', which are imperfective verbs, Russian exhibits regular conjugation patterns based on person, number, tense, and aspect. 'Мчаться' follows similar rules. Below is a table for 'спешить' as an example; other verbs have analogous forms.

Note: 'Торопиться' conjugates similarly but with more formal connotations. For nouns like 'суета', it is a feminine noun with standard declension: Nominative - суета, Genitive - суеты, etc. It does not change irregularly.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • торопиться (similar to спешить but more formal)
  • мчаться (emphasizes speed, often interchangeable in informal contexts)
  • поспешать (slightly literary, used for hastening in a directed manner)
• Antonyms:
  • медлить (to delay or move slowly)
  • задерживаться (to linger or be late)

Related Phrases:

• Спешить домой - To hurry home (Used when rushing back after work or an event).
• Торопиться с ответом - To hurry with a response (Common in professional emails or conversations).
• Мчаться на помощь - To rush to help (Implies urgent assistance in emergencies).
• В суете жизни - In the hustle of life (A fixed phrase for the busyness of daily routines).

Usage Notes:

'Scurry' corresponds closely to 'спешить' in informal English-Russian translation, but choose 'торопиться' for more polite or formal contexts to match the English word's urgency without sounding casual. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: 'спешить' is imperfective, implying ongoing action, so pair it with contexts of continuous movement. In grammar, these verbs require the infinitive or conjugated forms based on subject; avoid direct literal translations as Russian often adds prepositions for nuance, e.g., 'спешить на' for 'hurry to'.

• When selecting between translations, use 'мчаться' for physical speed and 'спешить' for mental urgency.
• In spoken Russian, these words are common in narratives or dialogues to convey time pressure.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'спешить' with 'спешить на' and omit the preposition, leading to incorrect sentences like "Я спешу работу" instead of "Я спешу на работу" (I am hurrying to work). Correct usage requires the preposition for direction. Another error is overusing 'мчаться' in non-physical contexts, e.g., saying "Я мчусь с документами" when 'спешить' would be more appropriate for paperwork. Always consider the aspect: using perfective forms incorrectly can alter meaning, so stick to imperfective for ongoing 'scurry' actions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'спешить' reflect the fast-paced urban life in cities like Moscow, where rushing is common due to traffic and schedules. However, in rural or traditional settings, such haste might be seen as unnecessary, emphasizing a cultural value of patience and thoroughness over speed.

Related Concepts:

• поспешность (haste)
• суета (fuss or bustle)
• торопливость (hurriedness)