Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'show'

English Word: show

Key Russian Translations:

• показать [pɐˈkazətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts for displaying or demonstrating]
• шоу [ʂou] - [Noun, Neutral, Borrowed from English, Used for entertainment events]
• показ [pɐˈkas] - [Noun, Formal, Refers to exhibitions or displays]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'show' and its translations are commonly used in conversational and media contexts, but vary by specific meaning.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for 'показать' and 'показ'; A2 for 'шоу' as it's a direct borrowing, based on CEFR standards.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

показать: [pɐˈkazətʲ]

шоу: [ʂou]

показ: [pɐˈkas]

Note on показать: The stress falls on the second syllable; be cautious with the soft 'тʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To display or demonstrate something (e.g., as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• показать - Used in informal conversations, such as showing an object or information.
• продемонстрировать - Used in more formal or professional contexts, like presentations.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, покажите мне дорогу. (Please show me the way.)

  Translation: Please show me the way. (This example demonstrates the verb in a polite request for directions.)

• Он показал новую машину своим друзьям. (He showed his new car to his friends.)

  Translation: He showed his new car to his friends. (Here, it illustrates the verb in a casual social context.)

• В музее мы покажем экспонаты посетителям. (In the museum, we will show the exhibits to visitors.)

  Translation: In the museum, we will show the exhibits to visitors. (This shows future tense usage in a public setting.)

• Она показала фото с отпуска. (She showed photos from the vacation.)

  Translation: She showed photos from the vacation. (Example of using it with objects in everyday storytelling.)

Meaning 2: An entertainment event or performance (e.g., as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шоу - Used for modern entertainment like TV shows or performances.
• спектакль - Used in more traditional contexts, like theater shows.

Usage Examples:

• Это популярное телевизионное шоу. (This is a popular television show.)

  Translation: This is a popular television show. (Demonstrates noun usage in media contexts.)

• Мы пойдём на вечернее шоу в театре. (We're going to the evening show at the theater.)

  Translation: We're going to the evening show at the theater. (Shows it in a planned event scenario.)

• Шоу с участием знаменитостей всегда интересно. (A show with celebrities is always interesting.)

  Translation: A show with celebrities is always interesting. (Illustrates descriptive usage.)

• Новое комедийное шоу стартует на следующей неделе. (The new comedy show starts next week.)

  Translation: The new comedy show starts next week. (Example of future-oriented usage.)

Meaning 3: An exhibition or display (e.g., as a noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• показ - Used for formal exhibitions, like art shows.
• выставка - Similar, but often for larger events.

Usage Examples:

• Этот показ мод проходит в Москве. (This fashion show is taking place in Moscow.)

  Translation: This fashion show is taking place in Moscow. (Context: Event announcement.)

• На показе были представлены новые технологии. (New technologies were presented at the show.)

  Translation: New technologies were presented at the show. (Demonstrates it in a professional setting.)

• Посетители наслаждались показом картин. (Visitors enjoyed the show of paintings.)

  Translation: Visitors enjoyed the show of paintings. (Artistic context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'показать' (verb): This is an imperfective verb that conjugates irregularly in some aspects. It is the perfective form of 'показывать'. Below is a conjugation table for 'показывать' (to show, imperfective) in present tense:

For 'шоу' (noun): This is an indeclinable noun (no inflections for case, number, or gender), borrowed from English, so it remains unchanged in all forms.

For 'показ' (noun, masculine): It declines as a standard third-declension noun. Example in nominative and accusative: Nominative - показ; Accusative - показ.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • продемонстрировать (more formal than показать, often used in educational contexts)
  • представить (implies presentation, with a slight nuance of introduction)
  • выставка (for the noun sense, similar to показ but for larger events)
• Antonyms:
  • скрыть (to hide)
  • сокрыть (to conceal, more formal)

Related Phrases:

• Показать дорогу - To show the way (Used for giving directions in daily conversations.)
• Телевизионное шоу - Television show (Common in media discussions.)
• Модный показ - Fashion show (Refers to runway events in the fashion industry.)

Usage Notes:

The English word 'show' corresponds closely to 'показать' for actions and 'шоу' for events, but choose based on context: use 'показать' for dynamic, temporary displays and 'шоу' for entertainment. In Russian, verbs like 'показать' require attention to aspect (perfective for completed actions). It's neutral in most scenarios but can be formal in professional settings. When multiple translations exist, 'показать' is often the default for everyday use, while 'шоу' is more casual due to its borrowed nature.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'показать' in the wrong aspect, e.g., saying "Я показываю фильм" when meaning a completed action. Correct: "Я показал фильм" for past perfective. Explanation: Russian verbs have aspect, so English speakers often overlook this, leading to tense confusion.
• Error: Treating 'шоу' as declinable, e.g., incorrectly saying "шоуа" in genitive. Correct: It remains "шоу" in all cases. Explanation: As an indeclinable loanword, it doesn't change, which differs from native Russian nouns.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'шоу' often refers to Western-influenced entertainment like TV variety shows, which gained popularity post-Soviet era. For 'показ', it ties into traditions like art exhibitions, reflecting Russia's rich history in visual arts, such as those in the Tretyakov Gallery.

Related Concepts:

• демонстрация
• спектакль
• выставка