Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'whelm'

English Word: whelm

Key Russian Translations:

• захватывать [zɐxvaˈtɨvətʲ] - [Verb, Informal, Used in emotional or descriptive contexts]
• поглощать [pɐɡˈɫoʂʲətʲ] - [Verb, Formal, Often in metaphorical or literary usage]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly used in everyday conversation; more prevalent in literary or poetic contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate for 'захватывать'; C1 Advanced for 'поглощать', as they involve nuanced verb conjugations and contextual applications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

захватывать: [zɐxvaˈtɨvətʲ]

поглощать: [pɐɡˈɫoʂʲətʲ]

Note on захватывать: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To cover or submerge completely (Literal sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• захватывать - Used in contexts describing overwhelming emotions or physical engulfment, such as in narratives or descriptions.
• поглощать - Applied in formal or scientific contexts, like describing absorption or total immersion.

Usage Examples:

• Волны захватили маленький корабль во время шторма.

  The waves whelmed the small ship during the storm.

• Эмоции поглотили её, не давая ни минуты покоя.

  Emotions whelmed her, not giving her a moment's peace.

• Поток воды захватывал всё на своём пути, оставляя разрушение.

  The water flow whelmed everything in its path, leaving destruction.

• В научном эксперименте вещество поглощало свет, делая его невидимым.

  In the scientific experiment, the substance whelmed the light, making it invisible.

• Захватывающий ветер унёс листья в воздух.

  The whelming wind carried the leaves into the air.

To overwhelm emotionally or mentally (Figurative sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• захватывать - Common in everyday emotional descriptions, such as in conversations about stress or excitement.
• поглощать - More formal, used in psychological or literary contexts to describe deep immersion.

Usage Examples:

• Работа захватила его целиком, не оставляя времени для отдыха.

  Work whelmed him entirely, leaving no time for rest.

• Книга поглотила её внимание на весь вечер.

  The book whelmed her attention for the entire evening.

• Экзамены захватили студентов, вызывая стресс и беспокойство.

  Exams whelmed the students, causing stress and anxiety.

• Музыка поглощала аудиторию, перенося их в другой мир.

  The music whelmed the audience, transporting them to another world.

• Вихрь событий захватывал день за днём.

  The whirlwind of events whelmed day after day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'захватывать' and 'поглощать' are Russian verbs of the first conjugation, which means they follow regular patterns but can have irregularities in certain forms. They are imperfective verbs, often paired with perfective counterparts for complete actions.

Note: These verbs do not change in a highly irregular manner, but pay attention to stem changes in the present tense.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • переполнять (overfill, overwhelm) - Often used interchangeably with 'захватывать' in emotional contexts.
  • затоплять (flood, submerge) - Similar to 'поглощать' but more literal.
• Antonyms:
  • освобождать (release)
  • спасать (save)

Related Phrases:

• захватывающий момент - A whelming moment (Refers to an intensely engaging or overwhelming experience.)
• поглощать внимание - To whelm attention (Describes something that completely absorbs focus, like a captivating story.)
• быть захваченным волной - To be whelmed by a wave (Metaphorical for being overcome by emotions or events.)

Usage Notes:

'Whelm' in English is an archaic or less common term, often synonymous with 'overwhelm'. In Russian, 'захватывать' is more versatile for everyday use, while 'поглощать' suits formal or scientific contexts. Choose based on the intensity: 'захватывать' for sudden emotional overwhelm, and 'поглощать' for gradual absorption. Be cautious with verb aspects; pair with perfective forms like 'захватить' for completed actions.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'захватывать' with 'захватывать' in the sense of 'capturing' (as in kidnapping) - Error: Using it interchangeably without context. Correct: In 'whelm' contexts, it means emotional submersion, not physical capture. Example of error: "Я захватываю дом" (meaning capturing a house, but intended as overwhelming it). Correct: "Эмоции захватывают меня".
• Misapplying tense - Error: Using present tense incorrectly in narratives. Correct: Ensure proper conjugation, e.g., "Он захватывал" for past actions, not "Он захватывать".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature, such as in works by Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, verbs like 'захватывать' often convey the overwhelming nature of human emotions or historical events, reflecting Russia's cultural emphasis on depth and intensity in personal experiences.

Related Concepts:

• переполнение
• затопление
• эмоциональный шторм