Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'smoulder'

English Word: smoulder

Key Russian Translations:

• тлеть [tɫʲeˈtʲ] - [Informal, Verb, Imperfective aspect; used for ongoing, slow-burning processes]
• тлить [tɫʲiˈtʲ] - [Formal, Verb, sometimes used in literary contexts for deliberate slow burning]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary, poetic, and descriptive contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian verb aspects and imperfective forms. For 'тлеть', it's B2; for 'тлить', it might be C1 due to its more formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тлеть: [tɫʲeˈtʲ] (The 'т' is soft and palatalized, with emphasis on the second syllable. Note the rolled 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers)

тлить: [tɫʲiˈtʲ] (Similar to 'тлеть', but with a shorter vowel in the second syllable; pay attention to the soft 'т' at the end)

Note on тлеть: This word often involves a subtle palatalization that can vary by dialect; in standard Russian, the 'л' is lightly rolled. For learners, practice with native speakers to master the flow.

Note on тлить: Less common in spoken language; the pronunciation may soften in faster speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To burn slowly without a flame, often referring to embers or suppressed fire

Translation(s) & Context:

• тлеть - Used in contexts describing slow, ongoing combustion, such as in a fire pit or metaphorically for emotions (e.g., in literature for suppressed anger)
• тлить - Applied in more formal or technical descriptions, like in scientific or poetic texts about controlled burning

Usage Examples:

• Огонь продолжал тлеть в камине всю ночь, излучая тепло. (The fire continued to smoulder in the fireplace all night, emitting warmth.)

  English Translation: The fire continued to smoulder in the fireplace all night, emitting warmth.

• В пепле тлели угли, угрожая разгореться вновь. (In the ashes, the embers were smouldering, threatening to flare up again.)

  English Translation: In the ashes, the embers were smouldering, threatening to flare up again. (This shows the verb in a potential, ongoing sense.)

• Её гнев тлел внутри, но она не высказала его. (Her anger smouldered inside her, but she didn't express it.)

  English Translation: Her anger smouldered inside her, but she didn't express it. (Metaphorical usage in emotional contexts.)

• В лесу тлели остатки костра, оставленного туристами. (In the forest, the remnants of the campfire were smouldering, left by tourists.)

  English Translation: In the forest, the remnants of the campfire were smouldering, left by tourists. (Illustrates environmental or real-world application.)

• Тлеющий уголёк может тлить часами, если не погасить. (A smouldering ember can burn slowly for hours if not extinguished.)

  English Translation: A smouldering ember can burn slowly for hours if not extinguished. (Demonstrates the imperfective aspect in hypothetical scenarios.)

Meaning 2: To exist in a suppressed or latent state, often metaphorically (e.g., emotions like anger or desire)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тлеть - Common in figurative language, especially in novels or poetry, to describe simmering emotions
• тлить - Less frequent, but used in formal writing for deeper, more introspective contexts

Usage Examples:

• В его глазах тлела скрытая ярость, которую он пытался скрыть. (In his eyes, hidden fury was smouldering, which he tried to conceal.)

  English Translation: In his eyes, hidden fury was smouldering, which he tried to conceal.

• Любовь тлела в её сердце годами, но никогда не была высказана. (Love smouldered in her heart for years but was never expressed.)

  English Translation: Love smouldered in her heart for years but was never expressed. (Shows metaphorical extension.)

• Тлеющая вражда между семьями тлела десятилетиями. (The smouldering feud between the families had been ongoing for decades.)

  English Translation: The smouldering feud between the families had been ongoing for decades.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'тлеть' and 'тлить' are imperfective verbs in Russian, meaning they describe ongoing actions. They follow standard first-conjugation patterns but are irregular in some forms due to their roots.

For 'тлеть' (infinitive):

For 'тлить', it is less commonly inflected but follows a similar pattern: e.g., present: тлю, тлишь, тлит; past: тлил(а). Note that these verbs do not change in perfective forms; use aspect pairs like 'сгореть' for completion.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: коптить (to smoke or smoulder slowly, often with smoke), дымить (to emit smoke, similar in fire contexts)
• – With a subtle difference: 'коптить' implies more smoke production, suitable for culinary or industrial uses.
• Antonyms: гореть (to burn brightly), вспыхивать (to flare up suddenly)

Related Phrases:

• Тлеть в огне - (To smoulder in the fire; used literally for embers, metaphorically for persistent issues)
• Тлеющий конфликт - (Smouldering conflict; refers to ongoing, unresolved disputes in social or political contexts)
• Тлить внутри - (To smoulder within; common for internal emotions, like suppressed anger)

Usage Notes:

Russian translations like 'тлеть' closely match the English 'smoulder' in both literal and metaphorical senses, emphasizing ongoing processes. Always consider the imperfective aspect for actions that continue over time. For formal writing, 'тлить' may be preferred over 'тлеть' to convey a more deliberate or controlled state. Be cautious with context: in everyday speech, these words are rare; opt for them in descriptive or literary scenarios. When choosing between translations, use 'тлеть' for natural, emotional contexts and 'тлить' for technical ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'тлеть' with 'гореть' (to burn brightly), leading to misuse in emotional contexts. For example, a learner might say "Его гнев тлеть" instead of "Его гнев тлеет". Correct: "Его гнев тлеет" – Explanation: 'Тлеть' implies slow suppression, while 'гореть' suggests intensity.
• Error: Forgetting verb aspects; e.g., using 'тлеть' for completed actions. Incorrect: "Огонь тлеть вчера" (wrong form). Correct: "Огонь тлел вчера" – Explanation: Use past tense forms to match the ongoing nature in narrative.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, 'тлеть' often symbolizes repressed emotions or societal issues, reflecting the cultural emphasis on endurance and internal struggle. This ties into the broader Russian theme of 'душевность' (soulfulness), where slow-burning feelings are portrayed as profound and enduring.

Related Concepts:

• гореть
• вспыхивать
• дымить