Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wallow'

English Word: wallow

Key Russian Translations:

• валяться [vəˈlʲæt͡sə] - [Informal, often used for literal rolling or lounging]
• предаваться [prʲɪˈdavətsə] - [Formal, used in figurative contexts like indulging in emotions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in literature and everyday conversation, but not as frequent as basic verbs)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (for валяться due to verb conjugation; C1 Advanced for предаваться due to its abstract and formal usage)

Pronunciation (Russian):

валяться: [vəˈlʲæt͡sə]

Note on валяться: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lʲæ"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'l' sound. It often implies a casual or lazy action.

Audio: []

предаваться: [prʲɪˈdavətsə]

Note on предаваться: The initial 'prʲ' is a soft, palatalized consonant cluster; ensure the stress is on the third syllable for correct emphasis in formal speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To roll about or lounge in mud or dirt (literal, often for animals or informal human behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• валяться - Used in casual, everyday contexts, such as describing animals or people relaxing lazily; common in informal speech or literature.

Usage Examples:

• Свиньи валяются в грязи после дождя.

  Pigs wallow in the mud after the rain. (This example shows the verb in a simple present tense, describing habitual animal behavior.)

• Дети валяются на пляже, наслаждаясь солнцем.

  Children wallow on the beach, enjoying the sun. (Illustrates informal human usage in a recreational context.)

• Он валяется в постели целый день, не желая вставать.

  He wallows in bed all day, not wanting to get up. (Demonstrates the verb in a figurative sense of laziness.)

• В жару собаки валяются в тени деревьев.

  In the heat, dogs wallow in the shade of trees. (Shows usage with animals in environmental contexts.)

Meaning 2: To indulge deeply in an emotion or pleasure (figurative, often self-pity or excess)

Translation(s) & Context:

• предаваться - Applied in more formal or introspective contexts, such as in literature, psychology, or emotional discussions; implies a deliberate act of immersion.

Usage Examples:

• Она предается грусти после расставания.

  She wallows in sadness after the breakup. (This highlights emotional indulgence in a personal context.)

• Не предавайся лени, иначе упустишь возможности.

  Don't wallow in laziness, or you'll miss opportunities. (Shows the verb in an advisory sentence, emphasizing negative consequences.)

• Он предается воспоминаниям о прошлом во время прогулок.

  He wallows in memories of the past during walks. (Illustrates usage in reflective or nostalgic scenarios.)

• Предаваться радости после победы — естественная реакция.

  Wallowing in joy after a victory is a natural reaction. (Demonstrates positive emotional context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are verbs, so they follow Russian verb conjugation patterns. валяться is an imperfective verb, while предаваться is also imperfective and reflexive.

For валяться (infinitive):

For предаваться (reflexive verb, irregular in some forms):

Note: These verbs do not change in gender or number in the infinitive form but conjugate based on person and tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms for валяться: барахтаться (to flounder), возиться (to fuss around) - барахтаться implies more struggle, while возиться suggests playful interaction.
• Synonyms for предаваться: погружаться (to immerse), утопать (to drown in, figuratively).
• Antonyms: сопротивляться (to resist), избегать (to avoid) - These contrast the idea of indulgence with active opposition.

Related Phrases:

• валяться в лени - Wallowing in laziness (a common expression for procrastination or idleness).
• предаваться воспоминаниям - Wallowing in memories (used for nostalgic reflection, often in literature).
• валяться в грязи - Literally "wallowing in the mud," figuratively meaning to be in a degraded state.

Usage Notes:

Wallow corresponds closely to валяться in literal contexts (e.g., animals or physical lounging) and to предаваться in figurative ones (e.g., emotions). Use валяться for informal, everyday situations to avoid sounding overly formal. Preдаваться is better for abstract or emotional discussions, as it carries a sense of deliberate choice. Be mindful of Russian's aspect system: both are imperfective, implying ongoing actions, so pair with perfective verbs like поваляться for completed actions. English learners should note that Russian verbs often require specific prepositions, e.g., предаваться + dative case for the object of indulgence.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using валяться in formal writing without context, e.g., saying "Он валяется в грусти" instead of "Он предается грусти." Correct: The former sounds too casual; opt for предаваться for emotional states to match the formality. Explanation: This confuses informal and formal registers, leading to inappropriate tone.
• Error: Incorrect conjugation, e.g., saying "Я валяю" instead of "Я валяюсь." Correct: "Я валяюсь" (reflexive form). Explanation: Russian reflexive verbs like валяться require the -ся ending, which English speakers often omit due to lack of equivalent structures.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like валяться в грязи can metaphorically refer to moral or social degradation, as seen in classic literature by authors like Tolstoy. This reflects a broader Slavic tradition of using nature-based imagery to convey human emotions, emphasizing the connection between physical and psychological states.

Related Concepts:

• бездействие (inaction)
• самобичевание (self-flagellation)
• погружение (immersion)