Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tousle'

English Word: tousle

Key Russian Translations:

• растрепать [rəstrʲɪˈpatʲ] - [Informal, often used in playful or casual contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is commonly encountered in everyday conversations, especially in informal settings like family or casual interactions, but not in highly formal writing.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding verb conjugations and contextual usage, which may challenge beginners due to Russian's complex aspect system.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

растрепать: [rəstrʲɪˈpatʲ]

Note on растрепать: The stress falls on the third syllable (-patʲ). Be mindful of the palatalized 't' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation can vary slightly in different Russian dialects, such as softer vowels in southern regions.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To make hair untidy or disheveled (verb, primary meaning)

Translation(s) & Context:

• растрепать - Used in informal situations, such as describing playful actions with children or affectionate gestures; not suitable for formal descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Она растрепала ему волосы, чтобы он выглядел более непринужденно.

  She tousled his hair to make him look more relaxed.

• Дети любят, когда родители растрепывают им волосы после игры.

  Children love it when parents tousle their hair after playing.

• Ветер растрепал её прическу во время прогулки по парку.

  The wind tousled her hairstyle during the walk in the park.

• Он растрепал волосы сестры, шутя, чтобы разрядить обстановку.

  He tousled his sister's hair jokingly to lighten the mood.

• Стилист иногда растрепывает волосы модели для создания естественного образа.

  The stylist sometimes tousles the model's hair to create a natural look.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Растрепать" is a perfective verb in Russian, meaning it expresses a completed action. It follows the first conjugation pattern and has irregular aspects. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: As a perfective verb, it doesn't have a full present tense form; use the imperfective "растрепывать" for ongoing actions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: размесить (similar but more general, implying mixing or disarranging); взъерошить (specifically for ruffling feathers or hair, with a connotation of making it stand up)
• Antonyms: причесать (to comb or neaten hair, directly opposite in meaning)

Related Phrases:

• Растрепать волосы - To tousle hair; often used in affectionate or casual contexts to describe making someone look messy but endearing.
• Растрепанный вид - A tousled appearance; refers to a disheveled look, commonly in fashion or daily life.
• Ветер растрепал прическу - The wind tousled the hairstyle; a phrase for environmental effects on appearance.

Usage Notes:

"Растрепать" directly corresponds to the English "tousle" in its playful or informal sense, particularly with hair. It is best used in spoken language or informal writing; avoid it in formal contexts like business or academic texts. When choosing between translations, opt for "растрепать" if the action is quick and completed, as it is perfective. Grammatically, ensure agreement with the object in gender, number, and case, which is a key feature of Russian verbs.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "растрепать" in formal writing, e.g., saying "Президент растрепал волосы" instead of a more neutral term. Correct: In formal contexts, use "взъерошить" or rephrase entirely. Explanation: This word carries an informal, playful tone that can sound unprofessional.

• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Я растрепать" instead of "Я растреплю" for future tense. Correct: Я растреплю волосы. Explanation: Russian verbs require proper aspect and tense agreement; mix-ups often occur due to English's simpler verb system.

• Error: Overusing it without context, e.g., translating "tousle" as "растрепать" for non-hair objects. Correct: Use only for hair or similar; for general disarranging, choose "размесить". Explanation: Precision in object reference prevents miscommunication in Russian.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, actions like "растрепать" hair are often associated with warmth and informality, such as a parent playfully messing up a child's hair. This reflects a cultural emphasis on familial affection and casual interactions, contrasting with more reserved behaviors in some other cultures. Historically, such gestures appear in Russian literature, like in works by Chekhov, to symbolize innocence or emotional closeness.

Related Concepts:

• прическа (hairstyle)
• взъерошенный (ruffled or unkempt)
• волосы (hair)