Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'smolder'

English Word: smolder

Key Russian Translations:

• тлеть [ˈtlʲetʲ] - [Informal; commonly used in everyday contexts for slow burning]
• тление [ˈtlʲenʲje] - [Formal; noun form for the state of smoldering]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not frequently used in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in literary or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb conjugations and noun declensions for accurate usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тлеть: [ˈtlʲetʲ] (The 'тл' sound is a soft, palatalized 'tl' that can be challenging for beginners; emphasize the 'e' as in 'yet'.)

Note on тлеть: This verb has a soft 'л' sound, which might be pronounced as [tlʲ] in standard Russian. Variations exist in dialects, where it may sound slightly softer.

Audio: []

тление: [ˈtlʲenʲje] (Similar to 'тлеть', but with a noun ending; the stress is on the first syllable.)

Note on тление: Pay attention to the soft 'н' sound, which is common in Russian nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To burn slowly without a flame (Literal sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тлеть - Used in contexts describing fire, embers, or slow combustion, such as in nature or household settings.

Usage Examples:

• Дрова тлеют в камине, излучая тепло всю ночь.

  The logs are smoldering in the fireplace, radiating heat all night.

• Огонь тлеет под пеплом, готовый разгореться при малейшем дуновении ветра.

  The fire is smoldering under the ashes, ready to flare up with the slightest breath of wind.

• В лесу после грозы угли тлеют, создавая риск новых пожаров.

  In the forest after the storm, the embers are smoldering, creating a risk of new fires.

• Тлеющий табак в трубке наполняет комнату ароматом.

  The smoldering tobacco in the pipe fills the room with aroma.

Meaning 2: To exist in a suppressed or hidden state, often metaphorically (e.g., anger or passion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тлеть - Applied metaphorically in emotional or psychological contexts, such as suppressed feelings.
• тление - Used as a noun for the ongoing state of such emotions.

Usage Examples:

• В его глазах тлеет скрытый гнев, готовый вырваться в любой момент.

  In his eyes, a hidden anger is smoldering, ready to erupt at any moment.

• Её любовь тлеет годами, несмотря на разлуку.

  Her love is smoldering for years, despite the separation.

• Тление старых обид мешает ему жить полной жизнью.

  The smoldering of old grudges prevents him from living a full life.

• В душе тлеет надежда на лучшее будущее.

  In his soul, hope is smoldering for a better future.

• Тлеющий конфликт между странами может перерасти в открытую войну.

  The smoldering conflict between countries could escalate into an open war.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For тлеть (infinitive verb, imperfective aspect): This is an imperfective verb with irregular conjugations in some forms. It follows the pattern of verbs ending in -еть but has unique features due to its root.

For тление (noun, neuter gender): This noun declines as a standard neuter noun in the second declension. It is invariant in the nominative singular but changes in other cases:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: коптить (to smoke/smolder slowly, often with smoke), тушить (to burn out slowly, but more about extinguishing)
• Antonyms: разгореться (to flare up), погасить (to extinguish completely) - Note: These imply a sudden change, contrasting the slow nature of smoldering.

Related Phrases:

• Тлеющий уголь - A smoldering coal (Refers to embers that are still burning slowly.)
• Тление в душе - Smoldering in the soul (Metaphorical for suppressed emotions.)
• Тлеющий конфликт - A smoldering conflict (Used in political or social contexts for ongoing tensions.)

Usage Notes:

тлеть is the most direct translation for the verb "smolder" and is best used in literal contexts like fire or metaphorically for emotions. It is an imperfective verb, implying ongoing action, which aligns well with the English sense of persistence. For formal writing, pair it with nouns like "огонь" (fire) to clarify. When choosing between translations, use тлеть for actions and тление for states. Be mindful of aspect in Russian; if you mean a completed action, consider perfective alternatives like "прогореть".

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing тлеть with гореть (to burn brightly). Incorrect: "Огонь тлеет ярко" (implies fast burning). Correct: "Огонь тлеет медленно" – Explanation: тлеть specifically denotes slow, smokeless burning, while гореть suggests flames.
• Common Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "тлет" instead of "тлеет" for third person. Incorrect: "Он тлет." Correct: "Он тлеет." – Explanation: Follow the verb's conjugation table to avoid grammatical errors in sentences.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "тление" often appears in literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, to symbolize unresolved emotions or societal issues. It reflects the Russian emphasis on endurance and the hidden depths of human experience, contrasting with more explosive expressions in Western literature.

Related Concepts:

• пепел (ashes)
• угли (embers)
• вспышка (flare-up)