Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'upstage'

English Word: upstage

Key Russian Translations:

• переиграть [pʲɪrʲɪˈɡratʲ] - [Informal, Theatrical context]
• затмить [zɐtˈmʲitʲ] - [Formal, Metaphorical use]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in artistic or theatrical discussions, but not in everyday casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of contextual nuances in Russian, as the word often appears in literature or media; for 'переиграть', it's B2, while 'затмить' might be B1 for basic forms)

Pronunciation (Russian):

переиграть: [pʲɪrʲɪˈɡratʲ]

затмить: [zɐtˈmʲitʲ]

Note on переиграть: The stress falls on the third syllable, and the 'г' is pronounced as a hard 'g'. Be cautious with the palatalized consonants, which can be tricky for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Theatrical sense: To draw attention away from another performer or to overshadow someone on stage.

Translation(s) & Context:

• переиграть - Used in informal theatrical or performance settings, such as in plays or films, to indicate stealing the spotlight unintentionally or deliberately.
• затмить - Applied in more formal or metaphorical contexts, emphasizing complete overshadowing in a broader sense.

Usage Examples:

• Он переиграл своего партнера в финальной сцене спектакля. (He upstaged his partner in the final scene of the play.)

  English: He upstaged his partner in the final scene of the play.

• Актриса затмила всех на сцене своим ярким выступлением. (The actress upstaged everyone on stage with her brilliant performance.)

  English: The actress upstaged everyone on stage with her brilliant performance.

• В этой роли ему удалось переиграть ожидания аудитории. (In this role, he managed to upstage the audience's expectations.)

  English: In this role, he managed to upstage the audience's expectations.

• Затмить конкурентов — это искусство, которое требует мастерства. (To upstage competitors is an art that requires skill.)

  English: To upstage competitors is an art that requires skill.

• Она случайно переиграла главную звезду, стоя на заднем плане. (She accidentally upstaged the main star by standing in the background.)

  English: She accidentally upstaged the main star by standing in the background.

Metaphorical sense: To outshine or surpass someone in any context, not limited to theater.

Translation(s) & Context:

• затмить - Common in everyday language for non-theatrical situations, like business or social interactions.
• переиграть - Less common here, but used informally for competitive scenarios.

Usage Examples:

• Его идея затмила все предыдущие предложения на встрече. (His idea upstaged all the previous suggestions at the meeting.)

  English: His idea upstaged all the previous suggestions at the meeting.

• Переиграть соперника в дебатах — это не просто удача. (To upstage an opponent in debates is more than just luck.)

  English: To upstage an opponent in debates is more than just luck.

• Затмить успехи коллег — опасная стратегия в карьере. (Upstaging colleagues' successes is a risky strategy in your career.)

  English: Upstaging colleagues' successes is a risky strategy in your career.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'переиграть' and 'затмить' are verbs, which follow regular conjugation patterns in Russian. Russian verbs change based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Переиграть' is a perfective verb, while 'затмить' can be used in perfective contexts.

Note: These verbs do not have irregular inflections but must agree with the subject in gender, number, and case where applicable.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • переупредить (to outmaneuver, often in strategy)
  • опередить (to get ahead of, with a nuance of speed)
• Antonyms:
  • поддержать (to support, implying no overshadowing)
  • отступить (to yield or step back)

Note: 'Переупредить' is more formal and strategic, while 'опередить' emphasizes timing.

Related Phrases:

• Затмить славой (To upstage with fame) - Used to describe someone overshadowing others through celebrity status.
• Переиграть в игре (To upstage in a game) - Refers to outplaying opponents in sports or competitions.
• Затмить ожидания (To upstage expectations) - Means exceeding what was anticipated in a surprising way.

Usage Notes:

'Upstage' in English often carries a theatrical connotation, which aligns closely with 'переиграть' in Russian for stage contexts. However, in broader English usage, choose 'затмить' for formal or metaphorical situations to capture the idea of complete overshadowing. Be mindful of aspect in Russian: perfective verbs like these focus on completion, so they're ideal for finished actions. In informal speech, 'переиграть' might sound more natural among artists, while 'затмить' fits professional or written contexts. When selecting between translations, consider the intensity—'затмить' implies totality, whereas 'переиграть' suggests a competitive edge.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse the perfective aspect, e.g., using 'переигрывать' (imperfective, meaning 'to be upstaging continuously') instead of 'переиграть' for a one-time event. Incorrect: "Я переигрываю его каждый раз" (implying ongoing action). Correct: "Я переиграл его в том представлении" (for a specific instance). Explanation: Russian verbs must match the aspect to the context to avoid ambiguity.

• Mixing with similar verbs, such as saying 'затенить' (to shade) instead of 'затмить'. Incorrect: "Он затенил звезду" (which means 'he shaded the star', not 'upstaged'). Correct: "Он затмил звезду". Explanation: 'Затенить' is literal and relates to light, while 'затмить' is figurative for overshadowing.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'переиграть' or 'затмить' often tie into the theatrical traditions of Moscow's theaters, such as the Bolshoi, where individual performances can dramatically influence a production. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on collective storytelling in arts, where upstaging might be seen as both a flaw and a sign of talent, contrasting with Western individualism.

Related Concepts:

• соперничать (to compete)
• выступление (performance)
• сцена (stage)