Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'wrestle'

English Word: wrestle

Key Russian Translations:

• бороться [bɐˈrotʲsə] - [Informal/Formal, Verb, Used in contexts of physical or metaphorical struggle]
• заниматься борьбой [zənɪˈmætʲsə ˈborʲsbəj] - [Formal, Phrase, Specifically for sports or competitive wrestling]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are commonly used in everyday language, especially in discussions of sports, personal challenges, or conflicts, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of verb conjugations and contextual usage. For 'бороться', it's B1; for 'заниматься борьбой', it might be B2 due to phrasal structure.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

бороться: [bɐˈrotʲsə]

заниматься борьбой: [zənɪˈmætʲsə ˈborʲsbəj]

Note on бороться: The stress falls on the second syllable ('rot'), and the verb has palatalization in spoken Russian, which can be tricky for beginners. Variations in regional accents may soften the 't' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To engage in wrestling as a sport (Physical competition)

Translation(s) & Context:

• заниматься борьбой - Used in formal or sports-related contexts, such as describing Olympic events or training.

Usage Examples:

• Он занимается борьбой уже пять лет и выиграл несколько турниров.

  He has been wrestling for five years and has won several tournaments.

• В олимпийских играх российские спортсмены часто занимаются борьбой для медалей.

  In the Olympic games, Russian athletes often wrestle for medals.

• Молодые ребята в парке решают споры, занимаясь борьбой.

  Young guys in the park settle disputes by wrestling.

• Профессиональные борцы занимаются борьбой, чтобы развить силу и выносливость.

  Professional wrestlers engage in wrestling to build strength and endurance.

2. To struggle or fight metaphorically (Non-physical, e.g., with problems)

Translation(s) & Context:

• бороться - Used in everyday informal or formal contexts for emotional, intellectual, or social struggles, such as fighting illness or injustice.

Usage Examples:

• Она борется с болезнью, но не сдается.

  She is wrestling with illness but doesn't give up.

• Правительство борется с инфляцией, вводя новые экономические меры.

  The government is wrestling with inflation by introducing new economic measures.

• Студенты борются с трудными задачами, чтобы улучшить свои навыки.

  Students are wrestling with difficult tasks to improve their skills.

• Активисты борются за права человека в сложных условиях.

  Activists are wrestling for human rights in challenging circumstances.

• Он борется с внутренними демонами, чтобы найти внутренний покой.

  He is wrestling with inner demons to find inner peace.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'бороться' (a first-conjugation verb), it follows regular patterns but has irregularities in imperfective aspects. It is an imperfective verb, often paired with perfective 'победить' or 'сразить' for completed actions.

For 'заниматься борьбой' (a phrase), 'заниматься' is a verb that doesn't inflect based on the object but follows standard verb patterns. 'Борьба' is a feminine noun with standard declensions: Nominative - борьба, Genitive - борьбы, etc. It remains unchanged in this phrase's core form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • сражаться (to fight, more intense and military connotation)
  • бороться (overlaps, but can imply persistence)
  • стремиться (to strive, for metaphorical struggles, with a focus on effort)
• Antonyms:
  • сдаваться (to surrender, implies giving up)
  • избегать (to avoid, for evading conflict)

Related Phrases:

• Борьба за выживание - A phrase meaning "struggle for survival," often used in survival or competitive contexts.
• Заниматься борьбой с преступностью - Meaning "to engage in fighting crime," highlighting law enforcement efforts.
• Внутренняя борьба - Refers to "inner struggle," as in personal conflicts or dilemmas.

Usage Notes:

'Бороться' directly corresponds to the English 'wrestle' in both literal and figurative senses, but it's more versatile in Russian for ongoing actions. Use 'заниматься борьбой' for sports-specific contexts to sound more formal. Be mindful of aspect: 'бороться' is imperfective, so pair it with perfective verbs like 'победить' for completed struggles. In informal speech, it's common in motivational contexts, but avoid it in overly casual settings where simpler words might suffice.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'бороться' with 'бороть' (which isn't a word); learners might drop the full form. Correct: Always use the full infinitive 'бороться'. Example of error: "Я бороть" (wrong) vs. "Я борюсь" (correct in present tense). Explanation: Russian verbs require full conjugation; partial forms lead to incomprehensibility.

• Error: Overusing 'бороться' for any fight, even when a synonym like 'сражаться' is more appropriate for violent contexts. Correct: Use 'бороться' for struggles with effort, not battles. Example: "Я борюсь с врагом" (okay for metaphorical enemy) vs. "Я сражаюсь в войне" (better for literal war).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'борьба' (wrestling) has deep roots in traditional sports like sambo or freestyle wrestling, popularized through the Soviet Olympic legacy. It symbolizes resilience and national pride, often featured in literature and media as a metaphor for overcoming adversity, such as in stories of WWII heroes.

Related Concepts:

• спорт (sport)
• соревнование (competition)
• выносливость (endurance)