Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'thrash'

English Word: thrash

Key Russian Translations:

• хлестать [xlʲɪˈstatʲ] - [Informal, often used for whipping or violent beating]
• избивать [ɪzˈbʲivətʲ] - [Formal, general for beating or thrashing]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literary and conversational contexts, but not everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations, suitable for learners with basic Russian grammar knowledge)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хлестать: [xlʲɪˈstatʲ]

избивать: [ɪzˈbʲivətʲ]

Note on хлестать: The initial 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish "loch," which can be challenging for English speakers. Stress falls on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To beat or strike violently (as a verb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• хлестать - Used in contexts involving whipping or forceful striking, often informal or descriptive in narratives.
• избивать - Applied in more general violent scenarios, such as fights, and can be formal in reports or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Он хлестал ветками по земле, как будто разгонял змей.

  He was thrashing the ground with branches as if driving away snakes.

• В бурю волны избивали берег, оставляя следы разрушений.

  In the storm, the waves were thrashing the shore, leaving traces of destruction.

• Дети хлестали друг друга подушками во время игры.

  The children were thrashing each other with pillows during the game.

• Полиция избивала протестующих, чтобы восстановить порядок.

  The police were thrashing the protesters to restore order.

• Ветер хлестал дождем по окнам дома всю ночь.

  The wind was thrashing rain against the house windows all night.

Meaning 2: In music, referring to thrash metal (as a noun or style)

Translation(s) & Context:

• траш-метал - Directly borrowed term for the music genre, used in modern cultural contexts like concerts or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Траш-метал стал популярным в 80-е годы среди молодежи.

  Thrash metal became popular in the 80s among young people.

• Группа играет траш-метал с элементами хард-рока.

  The band plays thrash metal with elements of hard rock.

• Фанаты траш-метала собираются на фестивалях, чтобы услышать тяжелые риффы.

  Fans of thrash metal gather at festivals to hear heavy riffs.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are verbs, which undergo conjugation in Russian. "Хлестать" and "избивать" are imperfective verbs, meaning they describe ongoing or repeated actions.

For "траш-метал," as a noun phrase, it does not inflect regularly but follows loanword patterns: nominative - траш-метал, genitive - траш-метала, etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Бить (bit') - More general for hitting, often interchangeable in casual contexts.
  • Хлестать can be synonymous with стегать (stegat') in whipping scenarios.
• Antonyms:
  • Ласкать (laskat') - To caress or treat gently, opposite in physical interaction.
  • Защищать (zashchishchat') - To protect, contrasting violent actions.

Related Phrases:

• Хлестать плетью - Whipping with a whip; used in historical or punitive contexts. (English: Often implies discipline or punishment.)
• Избивать кулаками - Beating with fists; common in fight descriptions. (English: Refers to physical altercations.)
• Траш-метал фестиваль - Thrash metal festival; for music events. (English: Highlights subculture gatherings.)

Usage Notes:

"Thrash" as a verb corresponds most closely to "хлестать" for actions involving rapid, forceful movements, while "избивать" fits broader beating scenarios. Be mindful of context: "хлестать" is more vivid and informal, suitable for storytelling, whereas "избивать" works in formal reports. In Russian, these verbs require agreement with the subject in person, number, and gender, which can differ from English's more flexible structure. For music-related "thrash," use "траш-метал" directly, as it's a borrowed term without native alternatives.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "хлестать" in formal writing without considering its intensity. Correct: Opt for "избивать" in official contexts. Example of error: "Полиция хлестала демонстрантов" (implies literal whipping). Correct: "Полиция избивала демонстрантов" (more general beating).

• Error: Forgetting verb conjugation, e.g., saying "Он хлестат" instead of "Он хлещет." Explanation: Russian verbs change based on tense and subject; always conjugate properly to avoid sounding unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "хлестать" and "избивать" often evoke themes from literature, such as in Tolstoy's works, where physical violence symbolizes broader social issues. "Траш-метал" reflects Western influences in modern Russian youth culture, blending global music trends with local expressions of rebellion.

Related Concepts:

• Бой (boy) - Fight
• Музыка (muzyka) - Music
• Насилие (nasilie) - Violence