Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stifle'

English Word: stifle

Key Russian Translations:

• подавлять [pəˈdavlʲɪtʲ] - [Formal, used for suppressing emotions or ideas]
• душить [ˈduʂʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, used for physical choking or suffocating]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversation and literature, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "делать").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugation and context, varying by translation—e.g., 'подавлять' might be B2 due to abstract usage, while 'душить' is more straightforward at B1).

Pronunciation (Russian):

подавлять: [pəˈdavlʲɪtʲ] (The stress is on the second syllable; note the palatalized 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on подавлять: This verb has a soft 'л' that may sound like a 'ly' blend; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

душить: [ˈduʂʲɪtʲ] (Stress on the first syllable; the 'ш' is a voiceless retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but more emphatic.)

Note on душить: Be careful with the 'ш' sound to avoid confusing it with 'с' (s); it's often used in vivid, descriptive contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To suppress or hold back (e.g., emotions, ideas)

Translation(s) & Context:

• подавлять - Used in formal or psychological contexts, such as suppressing feelings in a conversation or writing.

Usage Examples:

• Она старается подавлять свои эмоции во время встречи. (Ona starayetsya podavlyat' svoi emotsii vo vremya vstrechi.)

  She tries to stifle her emotions during the meeting.

• Правительство подавляет любые попытки протеста. (Pravitel'stvo podavlyat' lyubye popytki protesta.)

  The government stifles any attempts at protest.

• Иногда полезно подавлять импульсивные желания. (Inogda polezno podavlyat' impulsivnye zhelaniya.)

  Sometimes it's useful to stifle impulsive desires.

• В стрессовых ситуациях люди часто подавляют гнев. (V stressovykh situatsiyakh lyudi chasto podavlyat' gnev.)

  In stressful situations, people often stifle anger.

Meaning 2: To choke or suffocate physically

Translation(s) & Context:

• душить - Used in literal, physical contexts, such as in emergencies or descriptions of violence, often in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Дым начал душить нас в комнате. (Dym nachal dushit' nas v komnate.)

  The smoke started to stifle us in the room.

• Он пытался душить противника в борьбе. (On pytalsya dushit' protivnika v bor'be.)

  He tried to stifle his opponent in the fight.

• Тесная одежда может душить, если не подходит по размеру. (Tesnaya odezhda mozhet dushit', yesli ne podkhodit po razmeru.)

  Tight clothing can stifle you if it doesn't fit properly.

• В жару иногда кажется, что воздух душит. (V zharu inogda kazhletsya, chto vozdukh dushit.)

  In the heat, it sometimes feels like the air is stifling you.

• Ребенок душил плюшевого мишку в объятиях. (Rebenok dushil plyushevogo mishku v ob'yatiyakh.)

  The child was stifling the teddy bear in a hug.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'подавлять' and 'душить' are imperfective verbs in Russian, which means they describe ongoing or repeated actions. Russian verbs conjugate based on tense, aspect, person, number, and gender. Below are inflection tables for each.

For 'подавлять' (Imperfective):

For 'душить' (Imperfective):

These verbs are regular in their conjugations but require attention to aspect (e.g., perfective forms like 'подавить' for 'подавлять').

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for подавлять: угнетать (ugnetat'), сдерживать (sderzhivat') - 'угнетать' implies oppression, while 'сдерживать' is milder for restraint.
• Synonyms for душить: задыхать (zadykhat'), удушать (udushat') - 'удушать' is more formal and interchangeable in physical contexts.
• Antonyms: высвобождать (vysvobozhdat') for both, meaning to release or free.

Related Phrases:

• Подавлять эмоции - (Podavlyat' emotsii) A common phrase meaning "to stifle emotions," often used in psychological discussions.
• Душить в объятиях - (Dushit' v ob'yatiyakh) Meaning "to stifle in an embrace," implying an overly tight hug, common in affectionate or humorous contexts.
• Подавлять свободу - (Podavlyat' svobodu) Translates to "to stifle freedom," used in political or social commentary.

Usage Notes:

'Подавлять' is the more precise translation for the abstract sense of 'stifle' (e.g., emotions), and it's often used in formal writing or serious conversations. In contrast, 'душить' fits physical scenarios and is more informal. English speakers should note that Russian verbs require aspect consideration—use imperfective for ongoing actions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'подавлять' in emotional or intellectual contexts and 'душить' for literal choking. Be mindful of gender agreement in past tense forms.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'подавлять' interchangeably with 'душить' in physical contexts. Correct: 'Душить' for choking; Incorrect: 'Подавлять кого-то' (which might imply emotional suppression, not physical). Explanation: This confuses the semantic fields, leading to misunderstandings in urgent situations.

• Error: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., saying 'подавлять' instead of 'подавляю' in first-person present. Correct: 'Я подавляю' (Ya podavlyayu); Explanation: Russian requires person-specific endings, unlike English, so practice with tables above.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'подавлять эмоции' (stifling emotions) reflects a historical emphasis on stoicism, influenced by Soviet-era repression. Phrases like this often appear in literature by authors like Tolstoy, highlighting internal struggles and the cultural value of endurance over expression.

Related Concepts:

• угнетение (ugnetenie) - oppression
• свобода (svoboda) - freedom
• эмоции (emotsii) - emotions