Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'simmer'

English Word: simmer

Key Russian Translations:

• томить [tɐˈmʲitʲ] - [Informal, Used in everyday cooking contexts]
• варить на медленном огне [vɐˈrʲitʲ nɐ ˈmʲedlʲənəm ˈognʲe] - [Formal, Often in recipes or technical descriptions]

Frequency: Medium (Common in culinary discussions but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and cooking vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

томить: [tɐˈmʲitʲ]

варить на медленном огне: [vɐˈrʲitʲ nɐ ˈmʲedlʲənəm ˈognʲe]

Note on томить: The stress is on the second syllable; be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cook food gently just below the boiling point

Translation(s) & Context:

• томить - Used in informal home cooking scenarios, such as preparing stews or soups.
• варить на медленном огне - Applied in formal recipes or when emphasizing precise temperature control.

Usage Examples:

• Томите суп на маленьком огне, чтобы он не закипел.

  Simmer the soup on low heat so it doesn't boil.

• Варите мясо на медленном огне для достижения нежной текстуры.

  Simmer the meat on low heat to achieve a tender texture.

• Чтобы соус получился густым, томите его в течение часа.

  To make the sauce thick, simmer it for an hour.

• Приготовьте овощи, варите их на медленном огне с добавлением специй.

  Simmer the vegetables on low heat with added spices.

• Томите фрукты в сиропе, чтобы сохранить их естественный вкус.

  Simmer the fruits in syrup to preserve their natural flavor.

To remain in a state of suppressed emotion or activity

Translation(s) & Context:

• томить (metaphorical use) - In informal contexts, like describing pent-up feelings, though less common.

Usage Examples:

• Его гнев томил внутри, но он не высказал его.

  His anger simmered inside, but he didn't express it.

• Томящийся конфликт в семье привел к напряженной атмосфере.

  The simmering conflict in the family led to a tense atmosphere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For the verb "томить", which is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, it follows regular patterns with some irregularities in imperfective aspects. It is an imperfective verb and can be conjugated based on tense, person, and number.

For "варить на медленном огне", it is a phrase where "варить" is conjugated similarly as above, but the full phrase remains invariant in structure.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • варИть (varit') - Similar but more general; used when boiling is implied but can be adjusted for low heat.
  • тушить (tushit') - Often interchangeable in stewing contexts, with a slight emphasis on braising.
• Antonyms:
  • кипятить (kipyatit') - Directly opposite, meaning to boil rapidly.
  • замораживать (zamorazhivat') - Meaning to freeze, contrasting with heating processes.

Related Phrases:

• на медленном огне - On low heat; often used in recipes for simmering techniques.
• томить в собственном соку - Simmer in its own juice; a common phrase in Russian cooking for retaining flavors.
• медленный огонь для нежности - Slow fire for tenderness; implies the benefit of simmering in meat preparation.

Usage Notes:

"Томить" directly corresponds to "simmer" in cooking contexts but is more versatile for metaphorical uses in Russian. It is typically informal and common in recipes; however, for formal writing, pair it with phrases like "на медленном огне" to specify. English learners should note that Russian verbs require conjugation based on subject, so always adjust for person and tense. When choosing between translations, use "томить" for everyday speech and "варить на медленном огне" in instructional contexts to avoid ambiguity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "томить" with "кипятить": English learners often translate "simmer" as "кипятить" (to boil), which implies rapid boiling. Correct usage: Use "томить" for low heat. Example of error: *Кипящий суп* (Boiling soup) instead of *Томящий суп* (Simmering soup). Explanation: This changes the meaning, potentially ruining the dish.
• Neglecting conjugation: Forgetting to change "томить" based on subject, e.g., saying *Томить я* instead of *Томлю я*. Correct: Always conjugate, as in *Я томлю суп*.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, simmering is a staple in traditional cuisine, such as in borscht or pelmeni preparation, emphasizing slow cooking to enhance flavors. This reflects a broader cultural value on patience and home-cooked meals, often tied to family gatherings and historical practices from rural life.

Related Concepts:

• тушение
• варка
• жарение