Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'trickery'

English Word: trickery

Key Russian Translations:

• хитрость [xɪˈtrɔstʲ] - [Informal, often used in everyday contexts to describe cunning or deceptive behavior]
• обман [ɐbˈman] - [Formal, emphasizes deliberate deception rather than cleverness]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in literature, conversations, and media, but not in basic everyday dialogue.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of abstract concepts and noun inflections, suitable for learners with some grasp of Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хитрость: [xɪˈtrɔstʲ] (The 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress on the second syllable.)

обман: [ɐbˈman] (The 'о' is pronounced as a mid-back vowel; stress on the second syllable.)

Note on хитрость: Be careful with the soft 'т' sound, which is palatalized in Russian, making it sound like 'tʲ'.

Note on обман: This word has a straightforward pronunciation but can vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The use of tricks or cunning to deceive or outsmart someone.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрость - Used in informal or narrative contexts, such as describing clever strategies in games or personal interactions.
• обман - Applied in more formal or legal contexts, where the focus is on outright deception.

Usage Examples:

• Он использовал хитрость, чтобы выиграть спор. (He used trickery to win the argument.)

  He used trickery to win the argument. (This example shows 'хитрость' in a casual, interpersonal context.)

• Её хитрость помогла ей избежать наказания. (Her trickery helped her avoid punishment.)

  Her trickery helped her avoid punishment. (Illustrates 'хитрость' with a feminine noun in a narrative setting.)

• Обман в бизнесе может привести к серьёзным проблемам. (Trickery in business can lead to serious problems.)

  Trickery in business can lead to serious problems. (Here, 'обман' is used in a formal, professional context.)

• С помощью хитрости он проник в секретную комнату. (With trickery, he sneaked into the secret room.)

  With trickery, he sneaked into the secret room. (Demonstrates 'хитрость' in an adventurous or fictional scenario.)

• Обман друзей — это предательство. (Trickery of friends is a betrayal.)

  Trickery of friends is a betrayal. (Shows 'обман' in an emotional, relational context.)

Meaning 2: A general sense of cleverness or slyness, often without malicious intent.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хитрость - Common in positive or neutral contexts, like in folklore or light-hearted stories.

Usage Examples:

• В русских сказках хитрость часто спасает героев. (In Russian folktales, trickery often saves the heroes.)

  In Russian folktales, trickery often saves the heroes. (This highlights cultural usage in literature.)

• Его хитрость в переговорах была впечатляющей. (His trickery in negotiations was impressive.)

  His trickery in negotiations was impressive. (Example of 'хитрость' in a professional, non-deceptive context.)

• Хитрость — это не всегда плохо, если она помогает. (Trickery isn't always bad if it helps.)

  Trickery isn't always bad if it helps. (Shows a reflective, philosophical use.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'хитрость' (a feminine noun of the third declension) and 'обман' (a masculine noun), Russian nouns change based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining the key inflections:

Note: Both words are typically used in singular form. 'Хитрость' does not have a plural form in most contexts, while 'обман' can form a plural (обманы) for multiple instances of deception.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • интрига (intriga) - More formal, often implies a plot or scheme.
  • ловкость (lovkost') - Emphasizes skillfulness, with less negative connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • честность (chestnost') - Honesty, direct opposite in ethical contexts.
  • прямолинейность (pryamolineynost') - Straightforwardness, lacking any deceit.

Related Phrases:

• Хитрость ума (Khitrost' uma) - Cunning of the mind; a phrase used to describe intellectual cleverness in problem-solving.
• Обман чувств (Obman chuvstv) - Deception of the senses; refers to illusions or sensory tricks.
• Полная хитрость (Polnaya khitrost') - Complete trickery; implies thorough deception in a situation.

Usage Notes:

'Хитрость' is the most direct translation for 'trickery' in informal settings, capturing the nuance of clever but potentially deceptive behavior, while 'обман' aligns more with outright fraud. English speakers should note that Russian often requires the noun to inflect based on case (e.g., use genitive for possession). Choose 'хитрость' for everyday or narrative contexts and 'обман' for legal or serious discussions. Be mindful of cultural undertones where trickery can be viewed positively in folklore.

• Grammar tip: Always check the case when using these words in sentences, as Russian sentence structure demands agreement.
• Context tip: In business or formal writing, 'обман' is preferred to avoid sounding casual.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse 'хитрость' with 'обман' by using them interchangeably, but 'хитрость' implies cleverness without always meaning harm, while 'обман' suggests intentional falsehood. For example:

• Error: Saying "Он сделал обман, чтобы выиграть" (incorrectly using 'обман' as if it were a verb).
• Correct: "Он использовал хитрость, чтобы выиграть" (proper verb usage with 'хитрость'). Explanation: 'Обман' is a noun, not a verb; use 'обманывать' for the action of deceiving.
• Another error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., saying "без хитрость" instead of "без хитрости" (genitive case required after prepositions like 'без').

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'хитрость' often appears positively in folktales (e.g., stories of clever characters like those in Russian fairy tales), symbolizing resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. This reflects a historical value of wit in Slavic traditions, where outsmarting adversaries was celebrated, contrasting with Western views that might emphasize honesty over cunning.

Related Concepts:

• интрига
• ловушка (lovushka)
• хитрец (khitrets)