Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spoil'

English Word: spoil

Key Russian Translations:

• испортить [is.pɐr.'tʲitʲ] - [Informal, Verb; commonly used in everyday contexts]
• портить [ˈportʲ.itʲ] - [Informal, Verb; ongoing or habitual action]
• разорить [rɐ.zɐ.'rʲitʲ] - [Formal, Verb; for more severe or financial spoiling]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its variations appear regularly in Russian literature, media, and conversation, but not as commonly as basic verbs like "делать".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contexts, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge. For 'испортить', it may be slightly easier, while 'разорить' could edge toward B2 due to its formal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

испортить: [is.pɐr.'tʲitʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'тʲ' represents a palatalized 't', which can be challenging for English speakers.)

портить: [ˈportʲ.itʲ] (Stress on the first syllable; note the soft 'тʲ' sound, common in Russian verbs.)

разорить: [rɐ.zɐ.'rʲitʲ] (Stress on the third syllable; pay attention to the rolled 'r' and palatalized 'rʲ'.)

Note on испортить: This verb often involves a quick transition between vowels, which might lead to mispronunciation as [is.por.'titʲ]. Practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To damage or ruin (e.g., food, plans, or objects)

Translation(s) & Context:

• испортить - Used in casual conversations for spoiling perishable items or events; common in daily life.
• портить - Applied in ongoing processes, like gradually damaging something over time.

Usage Examples:

• Молоко испортилось из-за жары.

  The milk spoiled because of the heat. (This example shows the verb in a simple past context related to physical deterioration.)

• Он портит всю еду, забывая закрывать холодильник.

  He is spoiling all the food by forgetting to close the fridge. (Illustrates habitual action in present tense.)

• Дождь испортил наш пикник в парке.

  The rain spoiled our picnic in the park. (Demonstrates usage in an event-related context.)

• Эта новость может испортить настроение на весь день.

  This news might spoil the mood for the whole day. (Shows metaphorical usage in emotional contexts.)

To spoil someone (e.g., a child, by giving too much)

Translation(s) & Context:

• испортить - Often used informally for overindulging children or pets.
• разорить - In a more formal sense, implying financial or moral ruin through excessive pampering.

Usage Examples:

• Родители не должны так сильно портить детей подарками.

  Parents shouldn't spoil children with gifts so much. (Highlights ongoing negative habit in family settings.)

• Бабушка испортила внука, покупая ему всё, что он хочет.

  Grandma spoiled her grandson by buying him everything he wants. (Example in a familial, affectionate context.)

• Если вы разорите ребенка таким образом, он не научится ценить вещи.

  If you spoil the child like that, they won't learn to value things. (Formal tone, emphasizing long-term consequences.)

• Постоянно испорченный ребенок становится эгоистичным.

  A constantly spoiled child becomes selfish. (Uses the past participle to describe a state.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which undergo conjugation based on tense, aspect, person, and number in Russian. 'Испортить' and 'портить' are imperfective/perfective pairs, with 'портить' being imperfective (ongoing) and 'испортить' perfective (completed action). 'Разорить' follows similar patterns but is more formal.

Note: These verbs are irregular in some aspects, especially in past tense gender agreements. They do not change for number in infinitive form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Разрушить (razrushit') - More intense, implying complete destruction; often used for physical objects.
  • Повредить (povredit') - Similar to 'damage' but less severe; common in technical contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Улучшить (uluchshit') - To improve or enhance.
  • Сохранить (soxranit') - To preserve or keep intact.

Related Phrases:

• Испортить настроение - To spoil the mood; used for ruining someone's emotional state.
• Портить кровь - To spoil blood (idiomatic for causing stress or annoyance in relationships).
• Разорить дом - To ruin a home; implies financial or emotional devastation.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'испортить' directly corresponds to the English 'spoil' in completed actions, while 'портить' is better for ongoing processes. Be mindful of aspect: perfective for one-time events and imperfective for habits. These verbs are versatile across informal and formal contexts but avoid 'разорить' in casual speech as it sounds overly dramatic. When choosing between translations, opt for 'испортить' for everyday spoiling and 'разорить' for more profound impacts. Grammatically, ensure agreement with subject gender in past tense.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'испортить' in present tense (e.g., saying *я испорчу* incorrectly for ongoing actions). Correct: Use 'портить' for imperfective sense, like "я порчу". Explanation: Russian verbs have aspects, and mixing them confuses the timeline.
• Mistake: Forgetting gender agreement in past tense (e.g., saying "она испортил" instead of "она испортила"). Correct: "Она испортила продукт." Explanation: Past tense verbs in Russian agree with the subject's gender, which English learners often overlook.
• Mistake: Overusing 'разорить' in casual contexts (e.g., for minor spoilage). Correct: Stick to 'испортить' for everyday use. Explanation: This can make speech sound exaggerated or inappropriate.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'портить кровь' reflect a historical emphasis on family harmony and emotional resilience, often drawn from literature such as Tolstoy's works. 'Spoiling' children is frequently discussed in parenting contexts, highlighting cultural values of discipline and modesty over indulgence.

Related Concepts:

• Повреждение (povrezhdenie) - Damage
• Ущерб (ushcherb) - Harm or loss
• Похвала (poxvala) - Praise (as an opposite in child-rearing)