Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'seem'

English Word: seem

Key Russian Translations:

• казаться /kɐˈzætʲsə/ - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly encountered in both spoken and written Russian, especially in descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding reflexive verbs and basic conjugations; learners at this level should grasp it with practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

казаться: /kɐˈzætʲsə/ (The stress is on the second syllable, with a soft 'т' sound that may be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on казаться: Pay attention to the palatalized 'тʲ' which softens the sound; in fast speech, it might blend with the following vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To appear or give the impression of being something

Translation(s) & Context:

• казаться - Used in contexts where something appears true but may not be, such as expressing doubt or observation (e.g., in casual conversations or descriptions).

Usage Examples:

• Он кажется счастливым, но на самом деле он устал. (He seems happy, but in reality, he is tired.)

  Translation: He seems happy, but in reality, he is tired. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, describing an outward appearance.)

• Эта задача кажется сложной, но её можно решить. (This task seems difficult, but it can be solved.)

  Translation: This task seems difficult, but it can be solved. (Here, it illustrates use in discussing perceptions of complexity in problem-solving contexts.)

• Дверь кажется запертой, но давайте проверим. (The door seems locked, but let's check.)

  Translation: The door seems locked, but let's check. (This demonstrates the verb in a sensory observation scenario, often with uncertainty.)

• Вечером всё кажется спокойным в этом городе. (In the evening, everything seems calm in this city.)

  Translation: In the evening, everything seems calm in this city. (This example highlights its use in broader descriptive narratives.)

• Её слова кажутся правдивыми, но я не уверен. (Her words seem truthful, but I'm not sure.)

  Translation: Her words seem truthful, but I'm not sure. (This shows the verb in contexts involving judgment or skepticism.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

казаться is a reflexive verb (ending in -ся), which means it conjugates like other first-conjugation verbs but includes the reflexive particle. It is irregular in some aspects due to its reflexive nature. Below is a conjugation table for the present tense:

Note: This verb does not change in the past tense based on gender (e.g., казался for masculine, казалась for feminine), but it follows standard aspect patterns. It is aspectually imperfective.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • выглядеть (vygliádetʲ) - Means "to look" and is often interchangeable in visual contexts, but more focused on appearance.
  • представляться (predstávlyatʲsə) - Implies a more subjective or mental impression, used in formal settings.
• Antonyms:
  • быть (bytʲ) - Means "to be," contrasting with mere appearance by denoting reality.
  • не быть (ne bytʲ) - Simply "not to be," emphasizing the opposite of seeming.

Related Phrases:

• Кажется, что... (Kázhitsə chto...) - Meaning: It seems that... (Used to introduce uncertainty or speculation in conversations.)
• Это кажется невозможным (Éto kázhitsə nevózmozhnym) - Meaning: This seems impossible (A common expression for expressing doubt about feasibility.)
• Кажется, я опоздал (Kázhitsə, ya opozdal) - Meaning: It seems I'm late (Often used in self-reflection or apologies.)

Usage Notes:

казаться is a reflexive verb that directly corresponds to "seem" in English, but it's important to note its imperfective aspect, which focuses on the ongoing or apparent nature rather than completion. Use it in informal contexts for personal observations, and pair it with conjunctions like "что" for clauses. When choosing between translations like казаться and выглядеть, opt for казаться when emphasizing subjective impression, and avoid it in formal writing where more precise verbs might be preferred.

• In questions, it can soften statements, e.g., "Кажется ли это правдой?" (Does this seem true?).
• Be mindful of word order; in Russian, the verb often follows the subject for emphasis.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget the reflexive particle "-ся," mistakenly using "казать" (which means "to say" and is unrelated). For example:

• Incorrect: Он казать счастливым. (This would mean "He says happy," which is nonsensical.)
• Correct: Он кажется счастливым. (He seems happy.) - Explanation: Always include "-ся" to maintain the reflexive meaning.
• Another error is overusing it in formal contexts; instead of "Это кажется важным," use "Это выглядит важным" for a more neutral tone in professional settings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, verbs like казаться reflect a philosophical bent towards uncertainty and perception, influenced by literary traditions (e.g., in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov). It often conveys the Russian concept of "neopredelennost'" (indeterminacy), where appearances can be deceiving, emphasizing humility in assumptions.

Related Concepts:

• иллюзия (illyuziya) - Illusion
• восприятие (vospriyatiye) - Perception
• реальность (realnostʲ) - Reality