Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'stir'

English Word: stir

Key Russian Translations:

• мешать [ˈmʲexətʲ] - [Informal, Everyday use for mixing or stirring liquids]
• размешивать [rɐzmʲɪˈʂɨvətʲ] - [Formal, More precise for thorough stirring, often in cooking or scientific contexts]
• волнение [vɐlʲˈnʲenʲɪje] - [Noun form, Informal, Referring to emotional or social stir, e.g., commotion]

Frequency: Medium - The verb forms like 'мешать' are commonly used in daily conversations, especially in cooking or descriptions of movement, but less frequent in formal writing.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for 'мешать' and 'размешивать' as verbs; A2 (Beginner) for 'волнение' as a noun, based on CEFR standards, due to regular verb conjugations and basic noun declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

мешать: [ˈmʲexətʲ] - The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ш' sound is a soft fricative, similar to 'sh' in "she"

размешивать: [rɐzmʲɪˈʂɨvətʲ] - Stress on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'ш' which can be tricky for English speakers due to the rolled 'р' and soft consonants.

волнение: [vɐlʲˈnʲenʲɪje] - Stress on the second syllable; the 'л' is palatalized, making it sound softer than in English.

Note on размешивать: This word has a prefix 'раз-' which affects pronunciation, potentially leading to confusion with similar verbs; practice the rolling 'р' for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Verb: To mix or agitate something, e.g., stirring a liquid.

Translation(s) & Context:

• мешать - Used in informal contexts like cooking or casual descriptions, e.g., in everyday home settings.
• размешивать - Preferred in formal or precise contexts, such as recipes or scientific processes.

Usage Examples:

• Я мешаю сахар в чае. (Ya meshayu sakhar v chaye.)

  I am stirring sugar in the tea. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense for routine actions.)

• Она размешивает краску в банке. (Ona razmeshivaet krasku v banke.)

  She is stirring the paint in the can. (Illustrates use in a more deliberate, formal action, often with tools.)

• Мы мешаем суп, чтобы он не подгорел. (My meshayem sup, chtoby on ne podgorel.)

  We are stirring the soup so it doesn't burn. (Demonstrates the verb in a plural subject context for prevention.)

• Размешивайте ингредиенты тщательно. (Razmeshivayte ingredienty tshchatel'no.)

  Stir the ingredients thoroughly. (Shows imperative form in instructional contexts, like recipes.)

• Он мешает кофе ложкой. (On meshayet kofe lozhkoy.)

  He is stirring the coffee with a spoon. (Highlights the verb with an instrument in a casual setting.)

2. Noun: A state of excitement or commotion.

Translation(s) & Context:

• волнение - Used for emotional or social disturbances, e.g., in news or personal stories.

Usage Examples:

• В городе возникло волнение из-за новости. (V gorode vozniklo volneniye iz-za novosti.)

  A stir arose in the city because of the news. (This shows the noun in a context of sudden excitement.)

• Её слова вызвали волнение в аудитории. (Yeyo slova vyzvali volneniye v auditorii.)

  Her words caused a stir in the audience. (Illustrates use in social or public settings.)

• Политическое волнение продолжается. (Politicheskoye volneniye prodolzhaetsya.)

  The political stir continues. (Demonstrates the noun in a broader, ongoing context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For verbs like 'мешать' and 'размешивать', these are imperfective verbs that follow standard Russian conjugation patterns. They are conjugated based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Волнение' is a neuter noun that declines according to Russian cases.

Note: These verbs are regular but may have aspectual pairs (e.g., 'размешать' as perfective for 'размешивать'). 'Волнение' is indeclinable in some forms but follows standard neuter patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мешать: перемешивать (peremeshivat') - Similar but implies more thorough mixing.
  • размешивать: взбалтывать (vzbaltivat') - Used for shaking or agitating liquids.
  • волнение: суматоха (sumatokha) - Implies chaos or bustle in a busier context.
• Antonyms:
  • мешать: оставлять в покое (ostavljat' v pokoye) - To leave alone or undisturbed.
  • волнение: спокойствие (spokoystvo) - Calmness or tranquility.

Related Phrases:

• Мешать в кастрюле (Meshat' v kastrulye) - To stir in a pot; used in cooking contexts.
• Размешивать до однородной массы (Razmeshivat' do odnorodnoy massy) - To stir until smooth; common in recipes for mixing ingredients.
• Вызвать волнение (Vyzvat' volneniye) - To cause a stir; refers to provoking excitement or unrest.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'мешать' is the most direct equivalent to 'stir' as a verb and is often used interchangeably in informal settings, but 'размешивать' adds a layer of precision for actions requiring care. Choose based on context: use 'мешать' for quick, everyday actions and 'размешивать' for formal instructions. Grammatically, these verbs require agreement with the subject in person and number, and they can take direct objects (e.g., 'мешать суп'). For the noun 'волнение', it typically appears in contexts of emotion or social events, differing from English 'stir' by emphasizing internal or collective disturbance rather than physical action.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'мешать' with 'перемешивать': Learners might overuse 'перемешивать' (which implies more vigorous mixing), but 'мешать' is sufficient for simple stirring. Incorrect: "Я перемешиваю чай" (when just lightly stirring). Correct: "Я мешаю чай". Explanation: 'Перемешивать' suggests a back-and-forth motion, while 'мешать' is more general.
• Misdeclining 'волнение': English speakers often forget noun cases; e.g., saying "в волнение" instead of "в волнении" in the prepositional case. Incorrect: "Я в волнение" (meaning "I am in a stir"). Correct: "Я в волнении". Explanation: Always check the case based on the preposition used.

Cultural Notes:

The noun 'волнение' often carries a cultural connotation in Russian literature and media, reflecting historical events like revolutions or social upheavals (e.g., in works by Tolstoy). It symbolizes emotional intensity in everyday life, such as the 'stir' caused by public announcements, which is deeply tied to Russia's expressive communication style.

Related Concepts:

• перемещение (peremeshcheniye) - Movement or displacement.
• возбуждение (vozbudzheniye) - Excitement or agitation.
• смесь (smes') - Mixture, often related to stirring in cooking.