Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'suffuse'

English Word: suffuse

Key Russian Translations:

• пронизывать [prɐˈnʲizɨvətʲ] - [Formal, Literary]
• заливать [zɐˈlʲivətʲ] - [Informal, Everyday, Used for more intense flooding or filling]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and descriptive contexts, less so in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced usage, but the translations themselves are straightforward for learners at this level)

Pronunciation (Russian):

пронизывать: [prɐˈnʲizɨvətʲ]

заливать: [zɐˈlʲivətʲ]

Note on пронизывать: The stress is on the third syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To gradually spread through or over something (e.g., light, color, or emotions)

Translation(s) & Context:

• пронизывать - Used in poetic or descriptive contexts for subtle permeation, such as light suffusing a scene; common in literature or formal writing.
• заливать - Applied to more overwhelming or rapid filling, like a room suffused with smoke; suitable for everyday or informal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Небо было пронизано розовым светом на рассвете.

  The sky was suffused with pink light at dawn. (This example shows the verb in a passive, descriptive context.)

• Её лицо пронизалось румянцем от смущения.

  Her face was suffused with a blush from embarrassment. (Illustrates emotional usage in a personal context.)

• Комната заливалась теплым светом заката.

  The room was suffused with the warm light of sunset. (Here, 'заливать' emphasizes a more intense spread.)

• Атмосфера в зале пронизывалась волнением перед концертом.

  The atmosphere in the hall was suffused with excitement before the concert. (Demonstrates usage with abstract concepts.)

• Город заливался звуками праздничного фейерверка.

  The city was suffused with the sounds of festive fireworks. (Shows 'заливать' in a sensory, informal setting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "пронизывать" and "заливать" are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian. They follow regular patterns but have variations based on tense, aspect, and person. "Пронизывать" is imperfective, while "залить" (perfective form of заливать) exists for completed actions.

Note: These verbs do not change irregularly, making them relatively straightforward, but aspect (imperfective vs. perfective) is key in Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • наполнять (to fill; more neutral and common in everyday language)
  • окутывать (to envelop; implies a wrapping or surrounding effect)
• Antonyms:
  • опустошать (to empty or drain)
  • освобождать (to free or clear)

Related Phrases:

• пронизывать светом - Suffused with light; used to describe atmospheric scenes. (English: Often in poetic descriptions of dawn or dusk.)
• заливать краской - Suffused with color; refers to painting or dyeing. (English: Common in artistic contexts.)
• пронизанный эмоциями - Suffused with emotions; for deeply felt experiences. (English: Useful in literary or psychological discussions.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "пронизывать" is preferred for subtle, gradual suffusion, aligning closely with the English "suffuse" in literary contexts, while "заливать" suits more dynamic or overwhelming scenarios. Be mindful of aspect: use imperfective for ongoing actions and perfective (e.g., "залить") for completed ones. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require agreement with subject gender and number in past tense. Choose "пронизывать" for formal writing and "заливать" for informal speech to match the nuance of "suffuse."

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "пронизывать" interchangeably with "заливать" without considering intensity. Incorrect: "Небо заливалось розовым светом" when a subtle effect is meant. Correct: "Небо пронизывалось розовым светом." Explanation: "Заливать" implies flooding, which can overstate subtlety.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb conjugations, e.g., saying "пронизывает" for plural subjects. Incorrect: "Дома пронизывает светом." Correct: "Дома пронизываются светом." Explanation: Russian verbs must agree in number and gender.

Cultural Notes:

"Пронизывать" is often used in Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Chekhov, to evoke emotional depth or natural beauty, reflecting Russia's rich tradition of descriptive prose. This usage can carry a sense of introspection or melancholy, common in Slavic cultural expressions.

Related Concepts:

• освещать (to illuminate)
• наполнять (to fill)
• окутывать (to envelop)