Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'shudder'

English Word: shudder

Key Russian Translations:

• дрожать [drɐˈʐatʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used to describe involuntary shaking due to fear or cold]
• дрожь [drɔʂʲ] - [Noun, Formal, Refers to a state of trembling or shivering]

Frequency: Medium (Common in everyday conversations about emotions or physical reactions, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "to be").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "дрожать" as it involves verb conjugation; A2 (Beginner) for "дрожь" as a simple noun, based on CEFR standards.

Pronunciation (Russian):

дрожать: [drɐˈʐatʲ] (The 'ж' sound is a voiced palatal fricative, similar to the 's' in "measure" but softer; stress on the second syllable.)

дрожь: [drɔʂʲ] (Pronounced with a soft 'ь' at the end, which affects the preceding consonant; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on дрожать: This verb can have slight regional variations in pronunciation, such as a more guttural 'ж' in some dialects; be mindful of the infinitive form when learning conjugations.

Note on дрожь: The final soft sign 'ь' softens the preceding consonant, making it less emphatic than in English equivalents.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To shake uncontrollably due to fear, cold, or emotion (Verb form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дрожать - Used in informal or narrative contexts to describe physical shivering, such as in horror stories or weather-related descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Он дрожал от страха в тёмном лесу. (He was shuddering from fear in the dark forest.)

  Translation: He shuddered from fear in the dark forest. (This example shows the verb in a past tense context, emphasizing emotional response.)

• Дети дрожали на холодном ветру, ожидая автобуса. (The children were shuddering in the cold wind, waiting for the bus.)

  Translation: The children shuddered in the cold wind, waiting for the bus. (Illustrates use in a physical, environmental context with plural subjects.)

• Она дрожала, вспоминая тот ужасный инцидент. (She shuddered, recalling that terrible incident.)

  Translation: She shuddered, recalling that terrible incident. (Demonstrates the verb in a reflexive or memory-based scenario.)

• Ветер был так силен, что дом дрожал. (The wind was so strong that the house shuddered.)

  Translation: The wind was so strong that the house shuddered. (Shows metaphorical use with inanimate objects.)

• Я дрожал, когда увидел призрака в фильме. (I shuddered when I saw the ghost in the movie.)

  Translation: I shuddered when I saw the ghost in the movie. (Highlights use in entertainment or fictional contexts.)

A state of trembling or shivering (Noun form)

Translation(s) & Context:

• дрожь - Used in formal or descriptive contexts, such as medical descriptions or literary writing, to denote a physical or emotional state.

Usage Examples:

• От холода у него была сильная дрожь. (He had a strong shudder from the cold.)

  Translation: He had a strong shudder from the cold. (This shows the noun in a singular, physical context.)

• Дрожь пробежала по её спине при виде паука. (A shudder ran down her back at the sight of the spider.)

  Translation: A shudder ran down her back at the sight of the spider. (Illustrates the noun in an emotional, sudden reaction.)

• Врачи заметили дрожь у пациента и провели обследование. (The doctors noticed the shudder in the patient and conducted an examination.)

  Translation: The doctors noticed the shudder in the patient and conducted an examination. (Demonstrates medical or observational use.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "дрожать" (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard Russian verb patterns with regular inflections based on tense, aspect, and person. It is imperfective, meaning it describes ongoing actions.

For "дрожь" (a feminine noun of the third declension), it has regular declensions but no plural form in most contexts as it is often used in singular to describe a general state.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: трястись (to shake violently, often more intense than дрожать), содрогаться (to shudder deeply, with emotional connotation)
• Antonyms: спокойный (calm, as an adjective for a state without shuddering)

Related Phrases:

• Дрожь от холода - (Shudder from the cold; a common phrase used to describe physical reactions to low temperatures.)
• Дрожь страха - (Shudder of fear; often in literary or psychological contexts to express emotional trembling.)
• Пробежать дрожь по спине - (A shudder runs down the spine; an idiomatic expression for a sudden, spine-tingling reaction.)

Usage Notes:

"Дрожать" directly corresponds to the English verb "shudder" in most contexts, but it's more commonly used for ongoing or repetitive actions, aligning with Russian's aspect system (imperfective). Use "дрожь" for static states. In formal writing, prefer "дрожь" over "дрожать" for descriptions. When choosing between translations, opt for "дрожать" in dynamic scenarios and "дрожь" for nouns. Be aware of gender agreements, as "дрожь" is feminine.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse "дрожать" with "трясти" (to shake), using it interchangeably. Error: "Я трясу от страха" (incorrect for shudder). Correct: "Я дрожу от страха". Explanation: "Трясти" implies more violent shaking, while "дрожать" is for subtle, involuntary movements.
• Another mistake is improper conjugation, e.g., saying "я дрожат" instead of "я дрожу". Correct form: Always conjugate based on person and number as shown in the inflections table.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Dostoevsky, "дрожь" often symbolizes deep psychological turmoil or existential fear, reflecting the cultural emphasis on inner emotional states in Slavic traditions. This makes it a common motif in discussions of human vulnerability.

Related Concepts:

• страх (fear)
• холод (cold)
• содрогание (shaking or quivering)