Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'squint'

English Word: squint

Key Russian Translations:

• прищуриваться [prʲɪʂʲʊˈrʲivət͡sə] - [Informal, Verb form, Used in everyday contexts like reacting to light]
• косоглазие [kəsəˈɡlʲezʲɪje] - [Formal, Noun form, Used in medical or descriptive contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in casual conversation and literature, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "смотреть")

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate for verbs like прищуриваться; A2 for nouns like косоглазие, based on CEFR, as it involves basic reflexive verbs and nominal forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прищуриваться: [prʲɪʂʲʊˈrʲivət͡sə]

косоглазие: [kəsəˈɡlʲezʲɪje]

Note on прищуриваться: This is a reflexive verb, so the pronunciation may vary slightly in different tenses; the "ся" ending adds a soft, hissing sound that can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

As a verb: To partially close one's eyes, often due to bright light or suspicion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прищуриваться - Used in informal, everyday situations, such as outdoor activities or expressions of doubt.

Usage Examples:

• Он прищурился от яркого солнца, чтобы лучше видеть дорогу.

  He squinted from the bright sun to see the road better.

• Она прищуривается, когда пытается разобрать мелкий текст.

  She squints when trying to make out fine print.

• Дети прищуриваются в темноте, чтобы увидеть звёзды.

  The children squint in the dark to see the stars.

• Он прищурился, подозревая, что что-то не так.

  He squinted, suspecting that something was wrong.

As a noun: A condition where the eyes are not properly aligned, or the act of squinting.

Translation(s) & Context:

• косоглазие - Used in formal or medical contexts, such as health discussions or descriptions of visual impairments.

Usage Examples:

• У него врожденное косоглазие, которое требует лечения.

  He has a congenital squint that requires treatment.

• Косоглазие может быть вызвано напряжением глаз от длительной работы за компьютером.

  Squint can be caused by eye strain from prolonged computer work.

• Врачи диагностировали лёгкое косоглазие у ребёнка.

  Doctors diagnosed a mild squint in the child.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For прищуриваться (a reflexive verb), it follows the pattern of first conjugation verbs with reflexive endings. It is irregular in some aspects due to its reflexive nature.

For косоглазие (a neuter noun, third declension), it has standard noun inflections and does not change in the nominative singular form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: щуриться (to narrow eyes, similar but more intense), моргать (to blink, though less precise)
• Antonyms: смотреть широко (to look widely, implying full eye opening)

Related Phrases:

• Прищурить глаза - A common phrase meaning to squint one's eyes, often implying suspicion; used in contexts like detective stories.
• Косоглазие от напряжения - Refers to eye strain causing squint; typically in health-related discussions.

Usage Notes:

The verb 'прищуриваться' is reflexive, meaning it always ends in '-ся' and is used for involuntary actions like reacting to light. It corresponds closely to the English 'to squint' in informal settings but may not fit formal writing. For the noun 'косоглазие', it's more medical and should be used when discussing eye conditions. Choose 'прищуриваться' for dynamic actions and 'косоглазие' for static descriptions. Be mindful of context: in Russian, squinting can imply suspicion, so it carries subtle emotional connotations.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'прищуриваться' interchangeably with 'моргать' (to blink). Correct: 'Прищуриваться' specifically means narrowing eyes, while 'моргать' means rapid eyelid closure. Example of error: *Он моргался от солнца* (incorrect). Correct: Он прищуривался от солнца. Explanation: This confusion arises from similar facial expressions, but they involve different eye movements.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive '-ся' in 'прищуриваться'. Correct: Always include it, as it's inherent to the verb. Example of error: *Он прищуривает* (incorrect, as it loses the reflexive sense). Correct: Он прищуривается.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, squinting (прищуриваться) is often depicted in literature and film as a sign of suspicion or deep concentration, as seen in works by authors like Dostoevsky. It can carry a subtle connotation of distrust in social interactions, differing from English where it's more neutral.

Related Concepts:

• зрение (vision)
• ослепление (blinding)
• щекотка (irritation, related to eye discomfort)