Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'throw'

English Word: throw

Key Russian Translations:

• бросить [ˈbrosʲɪtʲ] - [Informal, Common verb for throwing objects]
• кинуть [ˈkʲinutʲ] - [Informal, Often used for quick or casual throws]
• метать [ˈmʲetətʲ] - [Formal, Typically in sports or metaphorical contexts]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'throw' is commonly used in everyday Russian conversations, especially in informal settings, but less frequent in formal writing.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic conjugations, but mastering nuances and inflections requires practice. For 'кинуть', it might be slightly easier at A2 due to its simplicity.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бросить: [ˈbrosʲɪtʲ]

кинуть: [ˈkʲinutʲ]

метать: [ˈmʲetətʲ]

Note on бросить: The 'щ' sound in related forms can be tricky for English speakers; it's a soft, palatalized 's' sound. Pronounce it with a slight hiss.

Audio: Audio playback placeholder for бросить (Insert audio file link here)

Meanings and Usage:

Basic physical action (e.g., propelling an object)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бросить - Used in everyday scenarios like throwing a ball; informal contexts such as games or casual interactions.
• кинуть - Applied in quick, impulsive actions, like tossing something lightly; common in spoken language.

Usage Examples:

• Он бросил мяч в корзину. (He threw the ball into the basket.)

  English: He threw the ball into the basket. This example shows the verb in a simple past context for physical action.

• Девушка кинула монету в фонтан. (The girl threw a coin into the fountain.)

  English: The girl threw a coin into the fountain. Here, it illustrates an informal, spontaneous throw in a superstitious or playful setting.

• Спортсмен метал диск на соревнованиях. (The athlete threw the discus at the competition.)

  English: The athlete threw the discus at the competition. This demonstrates a formal, athletic usage with precise action.

• Ребёнок бросил игрушку на пол. (The child threw the toy on the floor.)

  English: The child threw the toy on the floor. This highlights the verb in an emotional or accidental context.

Figurative or metaphorical meaning (e.g., to throw a party or discard something)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бросить - In contexts like abandoning or discarding, e.g., throwing away ideas; can be informal or neutral.
• кинуть - Less common metaphorically, but used for quick dismissals in slang.

Usage Examples:

• Он решил бросить курить. (He decided to throw the habit of smoking.)

  English: He decided to throw the habit of smoking. This shows a metaphorical use for quitting or abandoning.

• Компания кинула идею на обсуждение. (The company threw the idea into discussion.)

  English: The company threw the idea into discussion. Illustrates a casual introduction of an idea in a meeting.

• Мы бросили вечеринку в последний момент. (We threw a party at the last minute.)

  English: We threw a party at the last minute. This example adapts 'throw' idiomatically for organizing an event.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily verbs, which undergo conjugation based on tense, person, and number in Russian. 'Бросить' and 'кинуть' are imperfective aspects, while 'метать' can be perfective in certain forms. Russian verbs follow patterns of conjugation that are often irregular.

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form but conjugate fully in other tenses. 'Метать' is more regular in some aspects.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Броснуть (brosnut') - Similar to бросить, but slightly more abrupt; often interchangeable in informal speech.
  • Швырнуть (shvyrnut') - Implies a forceful throw; used for emphasis in dynamic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • Подхватить (podhatit') - To catch or pick up.
  • Сохранить (sohranit') - To keep or retain, opposing the idea of discarding.

Related Phrases:

• Бросить вызов (brosit' vyzov) - To throw down the gauntlet; means to challenge someone, often in a competitive context.
• Кинуть в бой (kinut' v boy) - To throw into battle; refers to deploying forces or engaging in conflict metaphorically.
• Метать тень (metat' ten') - To throw a shadow; used figuratively for casting doubt or suspicion.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'throw' translations like 'бросить' are versatile but context-dependent. For instance, 'бросить' aligns closely with English 'throw' in physical senses, while 'кинуть' is more casual and may imply haste. Choose based on formality: use 'метать' for sports or official scenarios. Be mindful of aspect in Russian verbs—perfective forms (e.g., бросить) indicate completion, unlike imperfective ones. English learners should note that Russian often requires prepositions for nuanced meanings, such as 'в' for direction.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing 'бросить' with 'кинуть' and using 'кинуть' in formal writing. Correct: Use 'бросить' for standard contexts; e.g., Incorrect: "Он кинул доклад" (in a business meeting). Correct: "Он бросил доклад". Explanation: 'Кинуть' sounds too informal and slangy.
• Mistake: Forgetting verb aspects, leading to timeline errors. Correct: Use perfective 'бросить' for completed actions; e.g., Incorrect: "Я бросаю каждый день" (if implying completion). Correct: "Я бросил вчера". Explanation: Russian requires aspect agreement for accurate tense usage.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'бросить вызов' (to throw a challenge) often evoke themes from literature and history, such as in folk tales where heroes throw challenges to villains. This reflects a cultural emphasis on resilience and confrontation, seen in sports like discus throwing in the Olympics, which has roots in ancient traditions.

Related Concepts:

• Бросок (brosok) - Throw (noun form)
• Метание (metanie) - Act of throwing, especially in athletics
• Кидать (kidat') - To toss repeatedly