Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'sympathize'

English Word: sympathize

Key Russian Translations:

• сочувствовать [sɐˈʧʊvfstvətʲ] - [Informal; Used in everyday conversations to express empathy]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, media, and casual speech, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of verb conjugations and emotional vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

сочувствовать: [sɐˈʧʊvfstvətʲ]

Note on сочувствовать: The stress falls on the third syllable ("ʧʊv"), and the "ʧ" sound is similar to the English "ch" in "church". Be cautious with the soft "tʲ" at the end, which is a palatalized consonant common in Russian verbs.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To feel or express sympathy towards someone's misfortune or situation.

Translation(s) & Context:

• сочувствовать - Used in informal or empathetic contexts, such as consoling a friend; often in personal conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Я сочувствую твоей потере. (Ya sochuvstvuyu tvoey potere.)

  I sympathize with your loss. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, expressing empathy in a personal context.)

• Мы все сочувствуем пострадавшим от пожара. (My vse sochuvstvuem postradavshim ot pozhara.)

  We all sympathize with those affected by the fire. (Here, it's used in a plural first-person context to show collective empathy in a news or social setting.)

• Она всегда сочувствует друзьям в трудные моменты. (Ona vsegda sochuvstvuet druz'yam v trudnyye momenty.)

  She always sympathizes with her friends in difficult times. (This illustrates habitual action with the verb in third-person singular.)

• Не сочувствуй ему слишком сильно; он сам виноват. (Ne sochuvstvuy yemu slishkom sil'no; on sam vinovat.)

  Don't sympathize with him too much; he's at fault himself. (This example demonstrates the imperative form, advising against excessive empathy.)

Secondary Meaning: To share similar feelings or opinions (less common in Russian).

Translation(s) & Context:

• сочувствовать - In contexts of shared views, though less frequent; often in discussions or debates.

Usage Examples:

• Я сочувствую твоим политическим взглядам. (Ya sochuvstvuyu tvoim politicheskim vzglyadam.)

  I sympathize with your political views. (This shows the verb used metaphorically for agreement in an intellectual context.)

• Многие сочувствуют этой идее в обществе. (Mnogie sochuvstvuyut etoy idee v obshchestve.)

  Many sympathize with this idea in society. (Example in plural form, highlighting broader agreement.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Сочувствовать" is a verb of the first conjugation in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns but has specific inflections based on tense, person, and number. It is imperfective, indicating ongoing or repeated actions.

Note: The past tense changes based on gender (e.g., сочувствовала for feminine). This verb does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сожалеть (sozhalet') - To regret or feel sorry for, often with a sense of personal loss.
  • empathize (эмпатизировать, but less common; empathiya-based)
• Antonyms:
  • негодовать (negodovat') - To be indignant or outraged.
  • равнодушно относиться (ravnodushno otnositsya) - To be indifferent.

Related Phrases:

• Сочувствую твоему горю - I sympathize with your sorrow (Used in condolences for loss or grief).
• Выразить сочувствие - To express sympathy (Common in formal settings, like letters or speeches).
• Сочувствовать чужим бедам - To sympathize with others' troubles (Implies a broader, altruistic context).

Usage Notes:

"Сочувствовать" directly corresponds to "sympathize" in English but is more emotionally charged in Russian contexts. It is typically used in informal speech or writing; in formal situations, phrases like "выразить соболезнования" might be preferred. Be mindful of verb conjugations, as Russian requires agreement with subject gender and number. When choosing between translations, use "сочувствовать" for personal empathy rather than intellectual agreement.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the infinitive form "сочувствовать" incorrectly in sentences, e.g., "Я сочувствовать" instead of "Я сочувствую".
  Correct: "Я сочувствую" (I sympathize). Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated based on the subject; always match the person and number.
• Mistake: Confusing with "сожалеть" (to regret), e.g., using "сожалеть" when meaning to empathize.
  Correct: Use "сочувствовать" for empathy. Explanation: "Сожалеть" implies personal regret, while "сочувствовать" focuses on others' feelings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressing sympathy like "сочувствовать" is often tied to communal values, especially in times of hardship. For instance, during national tragedies, public figures might use this verb to foster unity, reflecting the cultural emphasis on collective empathy over individualism.

Related Concepts:

• эмпатия (empathy)
• соболезнования (condolences)
• понимание (understanding)