Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'snatch'

English Word: snatch

Key Russian Translations:

• схватить [sɣɐˈtʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb; used for quickly grabbing or seizing something]
• украсть [uˈkraːstʲ] - [Informal; used specifically for snatching in the context of theft]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversation and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations; for 'схватить', it's straightforward, but 'украсть' may vary by context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

схватить: [sɣɐˈtʲitʲ]

Note on схватить: The 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds like a guttural 'h' in "loch". Stress falls on the second syllable.

украсть: [uˈkraːstʲ]

Note on украсть: The 'у' is pronounced as a short 'oo' sound; palatalization of 'т' adds a soft 't' sound, common in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To quickly seize or grab something, often suddenly.

Translation(s) & Context:

• схватить - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as grabbing an object in haste or during an action scene.
• украсть - Applied in contexts involving theft or illicit snatching, often with a negative connotation in legal or moral discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он схватил яблоко с тарелки и убежал в сад.

  He snatched the apple from the plate and ran into the garden.

• Девушка быстро схватила ключ и спрятала его в кармане.

  The girl quickly snatched the key and hid it in her pocket.

• В толпе кто-то схватил мой телефон, но я успел отреагировать.

  In the crowd, someone snatched my phone, but I managed to react.

• Укради это, если хочешь, но будь осторожен с полицией.

  Snatch it if you want, but be careful with the police.

Meaning 2: A small or hurried amount, as in a snatch of conversation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• схватить (in a figurative sense) - Used for capturing a brief moment or snippet, often in literary contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Я услышал всего лишь отрывок разговора, но хватило, чтобы понять суть.

  I only snatched a bit of the conversation, but it was enough to grasp the essence.

• Она схватила момент тишины, чтобы собраться с мыслями.

  She snatched a moment of silence to collect her thoughts.

• В спешке он схватил фразу из песни и напел её.

  In haste, he snatched a line from the song and hummed it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'схватить' (a verb of the first conjugation), it follows standard Russian verb patterns with irregularities in some forms. Below is a table of its key inflections:

For 'украсть' (also first conjugation), it has similar patterns but is perfective, meaning it implies completion. It does not have a present tense in the same way; use imperfective 'красть' for ongoing action.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: ухватить (similar but often for holding firmly), взять (general grabbing, less sudden)
• Antonyms: отпустить (to release or let go; implies the opposite action)

Related Phrases:

• Схватить за руку - To grab by the hand; often used in physical altercations or to stop someone.
• Украсть время - To snatch time; means to find a quick moment for something amidst busyness.
• Схватить момент - To seize the moment; a common idiom for taking advantage of an opportunity.

Usage Notes:

'Схватить' is the most direct translation for 'snatch' in the sense of quick grabbing and is versatile in informal contexts, but it's less formal than 'взять'. For theft-related meanings, 'украсть' aligns closely but carries a stronger criminal connotation, so choose based on context. English speakers should note that Russian verbs change based on aspect (perfective vs. imperfective), which affects tense usage. Always consider the subject's gender and number for past tense forms to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'схватить' in formal writing without proper conjugation, e.g., saying "Я схватить" instead of "Я схватил".
  Correct: "Я схватил" (I snatched). Explanation: Russian verbs must agree with the subject in person, number, and gender.
• Mistake: Confusing 'схватить' with 'украсть' in non-theft contexts, e.g., using 'украсть' for simply grabbing an object.
  Correct: Use 'схватить' for neutral grabbing; 'украсть' implies illegality. Explanation: This can lead to unintended negative implications in conversation.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'схватить момент' echo historical literary influences from writers like Pushkin, emphasizing seizing opportunities in a fast-paced life. It's often linked to themes of urgency in Russian folklore, where quick actions can determine fate, reflecting a cultural value on decisiveness in uncertain situations.

Related Concepts:

• ухватить
• взять
• отпустить