Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stammer'

English Word: stammer

Key Russian Translations:

• заикаться [zɐ.jɪˈkat͡sə] - [Informal, Verb, Used to describe involuntary speech disruptions]
• заикание [zɐ.ɪˈkanʲɪje] - [Noun, Formal, Refers to the condition of stammering]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions about speech disorders or everyday conversations about nervousness, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "говорить").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of reflexive verbs and imperfective aspects in Russian, which can be challenging for learners beyond beginner level. For "заикание" as a noun, it is A2 - Beginner).

Pronunciation (Russian):

заикаться: [zɐ.jɪˈkat͡sə]

заикание: [zɐ.ɪˈkanʲɪje]

Note on заикаться: The "й" sound (as in [j]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'y' in "yes." Stress falls on the third syllable, and the verb is reflexive, often ending in -ся.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Verb - To speak with involuntary pauses, repetitions, or blocks, often due to nervousness or a speech disorder.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заикаться - Used in informal or everyday contexts to describe temporary or habitual stammering, such as in conversations about public speaking anxiety.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда заикается, когда нервничает во время презентаций.

  He always stammers when he gets nervous during presentations.

• Дети иногда заикаются, но это проходит с возрастом.

  Children sometimes stammer, but it goes away with age.

• Она заикается только в больших компаниях, но в одиночестве говорит нормально.

  She only stammers in large groups, but speaks normally when alone.

• После аварии он начал заикаться, и это сильно повлияло на его работу.

  After the accident, he started stammering, and it greatly affected his job.

Meaning 2: Noun - The act or condition of stammering.

Translation(s) & Context:

• заикание - Used in formal or medical contexts to refer to the speech impediment itself, such as in psychological or therapeutic discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Его заикание стало менее заметным после занятий с логопедом.

  His stammer became less noticeable after sessions with a speech therapist.

• Заикание может быть вызвано стрессом или генетическими факторами.

  Stammering can be caused by stress or genetic factors.

• В школе у него диагностировали заикание, и ему предоставили специальную помощь.

  At school, he was diagnosed with stammering and received special assistance.

• Заикание не всегда является проблемой; некоторые люди учатся жить с этим.

  Stammering isn't always a problem; some people learn to live with it.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "заикаться" (an imperfective reflexive verb), it follows standard Russian verb conjugation patterns with reflexive endings. It is irregular in the sense that reflexive verbs end in -ся/-сь, which must be adjusted based on case and tense.

For "заикание" (a neuter noun, second declension), it has standard inflections and does not change in the nominative singular. It is invariable in some forms but follows typical patterns:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • запинаться (Similar to stammering but often implies tripping over words due to hesitation; used in casual speech)
  • торопливо говорить (Less precise, meaning to speak hurriedly, which can lead to stammering)
• Antonyms:
  • говорить чётко (To speak clearly and fluently)
  • articulate (No direct antonym, but implies smooth speech)

Related Phrases:

• У меня заикание - (I have a stammer; Used in self-disclosure or medical contexts.)
• Заикаться от волнения - (To stammer from excitement; Common in emotional situations.)
• Лечить заикание - (To treat stammering; Refers to therapy for speech disorders.)

Usage Notes:

"Заикаться" is a reflexive verb, so it always ends in -ся and must agree with the subject in person and number. It directly corresponds to the English verb "to stammer" in contexts of speech impediments, but in Russian, it's more commonly used for ongoing or habitual actions. Choose "заикание" for the noun form when discussing the condition formally. Be mindful of context: in informal settings, it's neutral, but in professional ones, it might carry sensitivity. Avoid overusing in writing; it's more oral.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "заикаться" with "застрять" (to get stuck), leading to incorrect usage like "Я застрялся в словах" instead of "Я заикался в словах."

  Correct: "Я заикался, когда рассказывал историю." (I stammered when telling the story.) Explanation: "Застрять" implies physical stuckness, not speech issues.

• Error: Forgetting the reflexive ending, saying "заикать" instead of "заикаться."

  Correct: "Он заикается." (He stammers.) Explanation: Without -ся, the verb is incomplete and grammatically incorrect in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, stammering is often associated with historical figures like Vladimir Lenin, who was known to have a speech impediment. This can add empathy in discussions, as Russian society sometimes views such conditions through a lens of personal overcoming, reflected in literature and media, encouraging resilience rather than stigma.

Related Concepts:

• дислалия (A speech disorder involving sound pronunciation)
• логопед (Speech therapist)
• нервозность (Nervousness, often a cause of stammering)