Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'scutter'

English Word: scutter

Key Russian Translations:

• метаться [mʲɪˈtatsə] - [Informal, Verb, Used to describe frantic or disorganized movement]
• суетиться [suˈɛtʲɪtsə] - [Informal, Verb, Often implies nervous activity in everyday contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in casual conversations and literature, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "идти")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb conjugations, as per CEFR standards. For "метаться", it's B1; for "суетиться", it's also B1 due to similar inflection patterns.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

метаться: [mʲɪˈtatsə]

суетиться: [suˈɛtʲɪtsə]

Note on метаться: The stress falls on the second syllable ("tatsə"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized "t" sound. It's an imperfective verb with reflexive ending.

Note on суетиться: Pronounce the "s" softly, and the word ends with a reflexive particle; common in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To move quickly and in a disorganized or frantic manner, often implying confusion or haste.

Translation(s) & Context:

• метаться - Used in informal or narrative contexts to describe someone rushing around aimlessly, e.g., in stressful situations.
• суетиться - Applied in everyday scenarios where someone is fussing nervously, such as preparing for guests.

Usage Examples:

• Он метался по комнате, ища потерянный телефон.

  He was scuttering around the room, looking for his lost phone.

• Дети метались на пляже, играя в мяч под дождем.

  The children were scuttering on the beach, playing with a ball in the rain.

• Она суетилась на кухне, пытаясь приготовить ужин для гостей.

  She was scuttering in the kitchen, trying to prepare dinner for the guests.

• В толпе люди метались, когда объявили эвакуацию.

  People were scuttering in the crowd when the evacuation was announced.

• Он суетился у двери, собирая документы перед уходом.

  He was scuttering by the door, gathering his documents before leaving.

Meaning 2: In some dialects, to imply scurrying like small animals or in a trivial sense (less common).

Translation(s) & Context:

• метаться - Informal, often metaphorical, e.g., in describing animal behavior or light-hearted chaos.

Usage Examples:

• Мыши метались по подвалу, ища еду.

  The mice were scuttering in the basement, searching for food.

• Ветер заставлял листья метаться по улице.

  The wind made the leaves scutter along the street.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "метаться" and "суетиться" are imperfective reflexive verbs in Russian, which means they undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number. They are irregular in their reflexive forms but follow general patterns for verbs ending in -аться.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • суетиться (similar to метаться but with a focus on nervous energy)
  • бегать (more general, meaning to run around, but less frantic)
• Antonyms:
  • спокойно двигаться (to move calmly, implying the opposite of haste)
  • стоять на месте (to stand still, emphasizing lack of movement)

Related Phrases:

• Метаться как угорелый - A common idiom meaning "to rush about like a madman"; used to describe extreme agitation in stressful situations.
• Суетиться попусту - Means "to fuss around for nothing"; implies unnecessary activity without purpose.

Usage Notes:

These translations correspond closely to the English "scutter" in its sense of hurried, disorganized movement, but Russian verbs like "метаться" and "суетиться" often carry a connotation of emotional turmoil or inefficiency, which isn't always present in English. Use "метаться" in formal narratives or informal speech for physical chaos, and reserve "суетиться" for social or domestic contexts. Be mindful of the reflexive ending (-ся), which is essential for the verb's meaning and cannot be omitted. When choosing between translations, opt for "метаться" if the context involves literal movement, and "суетиться" for psychological agitation.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget the reflexive particle "-ся", e.g., saying "метать" instead of "метаться", which changes the meaning to "to throw" and makes the sentence nonsensical. Correct usage: Use "метаться" for the intended frantic movement.

• Confusing it with similar verbs like "бежать" (to run), leading to overuse; for example, incorrectly saying "Он бежит по комнате" when "метается" better conveys disorganization. Explanation: "Бежать" implies purposeful running, while "метаться" highlights confusion.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like "метаться" often appear in literature (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works) to depict inner turmoil or the chaos of everyday life in urban settings. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on emotional expression through action, where such words symbolize the unpredictability of life in Russia, especially in historical contexts like the Soviet era.

Related Concepts:

• Бегать
• Торопиться
• Суетливый