Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tantalize'

English Word: tantalize

Key Russian Translations:

• искушать /ɪsˈku.ʃət/ - [Informal; often used in contexts of temptation or desire]
• дразнить /ˈdra.znʲitʲ/ - [Informal; typically for teasing or provoking playfully]

Frequency: Medium (The verb forms are commonly encountered in everyday Russian literature and conversation, but not as frequent as basic verbs like "хотеть".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations and nuanced contexts, per CEFR standards. For 'искушать', it's B1; for 'дразнить', it's A2 due to simpler usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

искушать: /ɪsˈku.ʃət/

Note on искушать: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ku"), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to Russian's mobile stress patterns. Pronounce the 'ш' as a soft 'sh' sound.

дразнить: /ˈdra.znʲitʲ/

Note on дразнить: The 'знʲ' is palatalized, making it softer; think of it as a quick 'zn' with a slight 'y' glide, which can vary in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To tease or excite by presenting something desirable but keeping it out of reach

Translation(s) & Context:

• искушать - Used in emotional or psychological contexts, such as tempting with food, ideas, or desires; common in informal storytelling or persuasive language.
• дразнить - Applied in lighter, playful scenarios, like teasing a child or in flirtatious interactions; avoids deep emotional connotations.

Usage Examples:

• Рекламные плакаты искушали прохожих ароматами свежей выпечки, но магазины были уже закрыты.

  The advertising posters tantalized passersby with the aromas of fresh baked goods, but the stores were already closed.

• Дети дразнили друг друга новыми игрушками, не давая их потрогать.

  The children tantalized each other with new toys, not letting them touch them.

• В романе автор искусно искушал читателя тайнами сюжета, раскрывая их только в финале.

  In the novel, the author skillfully tantalized the reader with plot mysteries, revealing them only in the finale.

• Она дразнила его обещаниями отпуска, но всегда находила отговорки, чтобы не поехать.

  She tantalized him with promises of a vacation but always found excuses not to go.

• Аромат кофе искушал сотрудников офиса, но кофемашина сломалась в самый неподходящий момент.

  The aroma of coffee tantalized the office staff, but the coffee machine broke at the worst possible time.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'искушать' and 'дразнить' are verbs of the first conjugation in Russian, which means they follow regular patterns but have irregularities in certain forms. Below is a table for 'искушать' (imperfective aspect). 'Дразнить' follows a similar structure but is less commonly used in perfective forms.

For 'дразнить', it is mostly regular but note that in the past tense, gender agreement applies (e.g., дразнил for masculine, дразнила for feminine). These verbs do not have significant irregularities but require attention to aspect (imperfective for ongoing action).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • соблазнять (soblasnyat') - Similar to 'искушать' but with a stronger sexual or moral connotation; often used in persuasive contexts.
  • привлекать (privlekat') - More neutral, focusing on attraction without the teasing element.
• Antonyms:
  • удовлетворять (udovletvoryat') - To satisfy or fulfill desires.
  • утолять (utolyat') - To quench or alleviate, especially appetites.

Related Phrases:

• Искушать судьбу (Iskushat' sud'bu) - To tempt fate; a common idiom used in risky situations, implying potential regret.
• Дразнить аппетит (Draznit' appetit) - To whet the appetite; often in culinary contexts to describe something that builds desire without immediate satisfaction.
• Скрытое искушение (Skrytoe iskushenie) - Hidden temptation; refers to subtle allure in literature or psychology.

Usage Notes:

'Искушать' is a closer match to 'tantalize' in terms of evoking unfulfilled desire, while 'дразнить' leans toward playful teasing. English speakers should note that Russian verbs require aspect consideration—use imperfective for ongoing actions. In formal contexts, opt for 'искушать' over 'дразнить' to avoid casual tones. When choosing between translations, consider the emotional depth: 'искушать' for deeper psychological effects and 'дразнить' for light-hearted scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "искушать" in the present tense as "искушает" for first person (should be "искушаю"). Correct: Use the proper person agreement to avoid sounding unnatural. Example of error: "Я искушает" (wrong) vs. "Я искушаю" (correct) – This stems from confusing Russian verb endings with English ones.
• Mistake: Overusing 'дразнить' in serious contexts, e.g., translating "The ad tantalized customers" as "Реклама дразнила клиентов" when "Реклама искушала клиентов" is more appropriate. Explanation: 'Дразнить' implies playfulness, which may undermine the intended gravity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'искушать' often carry echoes of literary traditions, such as in Dostoevsky's works, where temptation represents moral dilemmas. This reflects Russia's emphasis on introspection and the human condition, making 'tantalize' translations useful for understanding themes in Russian literature or philosophy.

Related Concepts:

• соблазн (soblasn) - Temptation
• провокация (provokatsiya) - Provocation
• желание (zhelaniye) - Desire