Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'vaunt'

English Word: vaunt

Key Russian Translations:

• хвастаться /xvaˈstatʲsə/ - [Informal, Reflexive Verb]
• хвастовство /xvaˈstavstvə/ - [Formal, Noun]

Frequency: Low (The word 'vaunt' is somewhat archaic in English, and its Russian equivalents are used occasionally in everyday conversation, but not frequently in modern media.)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding reflexive verbs and noun declensions, which require familiarity with Russian grammar as per CEFR standards. For 'хвастаться', the verb form is more challenging; for 'хвастовство', the noun is easier.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

хвастаться: /xvaˈstatʲsə/ (The 'х' is a voiceless velar fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'. Stress on the second syllable.)

Note on хвастаться: This verb has palatalization in the 'тʲ', which can be tricky for English speakers; practice the soft 't' sound. Variations in regional accents may soften the 'х' sound.

хвастовство: /xvaˈstavstvə/ (Similar 'х' sound; stress on the second syllable, with a cluster of consonants that requires clear articulation.)

Note on хвастовство: As a noun, it's less variable, but ensure the final 'о' is pronounced as a schwa sound in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: To boast or brag about something, often excessively.

Translation(s) & Context:

• хвастаться - Used in informal contexts for self-promotion or exaggeration, common in everyday conversations about personal achievements.
• хвастовство - Employed in more formal or written contexts to describe the act of boasting as a noun, such as in literature or criticism.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда хвастается своими новыми гаджетами, чтобы привлечь внимание друзей.

  He always vaunts his new gadgets to attract his friends' attention.

• Не стоит хвастаться чужими успехами; это выглядит неискренне.

  Don't vaunt others' successes; it looks insincere.

• Её хвастовство о путешествиях раздражало коллег на работе.

  Her vaunting about travels annoyed her colleagues at work.

• Дети любят хвастаться игрушками, но со временем это проходит.

  Children love to vaunt their toys, but it passes with time.

• В интернете люди часто занимаются хвастовством, публикуя идеализированные версии своей жизни.

  On the internet, people often engage in vaunting by posting idealized versions of their lives.

Secondary Meaning: To display something ostentatiously (e.g., in a showy manner).

Translation(s) & Context:

• хвастаться - In contexts involving material display, such as showing off possessions, often with a negative connotation.

Usage Examples:

• Она хвастается своей коллекцией ювелирных изделий на каждом мероприятии.

  She vaunts her jewelry collection at every event.

• Хвастаться богатством в скромном обществе может быть неуместно.

  Vaunting wealth in a modest society can be inappropriate.

• Его хвастовство машиной привлекло ненужное внимание воры.

  His vaunting of the car attracted unwanted attention from thieves.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'хвастаться' (a reflexive verb), it follows the pattern of imperfective verbs in Russian, with inflections based on tense, aspect, person, and number. It is conjugated irregularly in some forms due to its reflexive ending '-ся'.

For 'хвастовство' (a neuter noun), it declines as a second-declension noun:

• Nominative: хвастовство
• Genitive: хвастовства
• Dative: хвастовству
• Accusative: хвастовство
• Instrumental: хвастовством
• Prepositional: хвастовстве

It is invariant in plural forms but can take plural endings in specific contexts.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • хвалиться (similar but slightly more neutral, often used for praising oneself in a less negative way)
  • бахвалиться (more intense, implying empty boasting)
• Antonyms:
  • молчать (to remain silent, directly opposite in the context of speaking)
  • скромничать (to be modest, contrasting the boastful behavior)

Related Phrases:

• Хвастаться напрасно - A phrase meaning "to boast in vain," often used to describe futile self-promotion.
• Безудержное хвастовство - Refers to "reckless vaunting," implying excessive and uncontrolled boasting in social settings.
• Хвастаться чужим - Means "to vaunt someone else's achievements," which can highlight insincerity or jealousy.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'хвастаться' is a reflexive verb that directly corresponds to the English 'vaunt' in its verbal form, emphasizing self-directed action. It's best used in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly critical; for formal writing, opt for 'хвастовство' as a noun. Be cautious of cultural nuances: Russians may view excessive boasting as rude, so it's often paired with negative modifiers. When choosing between translations, use 'хвастаться' for dynamic actions and 'хвастовство' for static descriptions.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'хвастаться' with 'хвалить' (to praise others), leading to incorrect usage like saying "Я хвалю себя" instead of "Я хвастаюсь." Correct form: Use 'хвастаться' for self-boasting, as in "Я хвастаюсь своими навыками" (I vaunt my skills), not "Я хвалю свои навыки," which means "I praise my skills" but sounds odd in this context.

• Another error is forgetting the reflexive '-ся' ending, e.g., saying "хващать" instead of "хвастаться," which is grammatically incorrect. Always include it to maintain the verb's meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, boasting or vaunting is often frowned upon, as it contrasts with the value of modesty (e.g., in proverbs like "Не хвались, идучи в поход" – Don't boast while going into battle). This reflects historical influences from Slavic traditions where humility was prized, making 'хвастаться' a word with negative connotations in social interactions.

Related Concepts:

• гордиться (to be proud)
• самоуверенность (self-confidence)
• преувеличивать (to exaggerate)