Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'yawn'

English Word: yawn

Key Russian Translations:

• зевать [zʲɪˈvatʲ] - [Informal, Commonly used in everyday speech]

Frequency: Medium (This verb is encountered regularly in daily conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic verbs like "to eat").

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner) - Suitable for early learners as it involves straightforward conjugation and is a common action verb in basic vocabulary.

Pronunciation (Russian):

зевать: [zʲɪˈvatʲ]

Note on зевать: The initial 'з' is a voiced alveolar fricative, similar to 'z' in 'zoo', but palatalized. Stress falls on the second syllable. Be mindful of the soft sign (ь) which affects pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The act of opening one's mouth wide and inhaling deeply, often due to tiredness, boredom, or as a reflex.

Translation(s) & Context:

• зевать - Used in informal and formal contexts to describe the physical action of yawning, often in everyday conversations or descriptions of fatigue.

Usage Examples:

• Я зеваю, потому что устал после долгого дня. (Ya zevayu, potomu chto ustal posle dolgogo dnya.)

  I am yawning because I am tired after a long day. (This example shows the verb in present tense, simple context.)

• Она зевнула во время скучного фильма. (Ona zevnula vo vremya skuchnogo filma.)

  She yawned during the boring movie. (Illustrates past tense usage in a narrative context.)

• Дети часто зевают перед сном. (Deti chasto zevayut pered snom.)

  Children often yawn before sleep. (Demonstrates habitual action in present tense, plural subject.)

• Не зевай на уроке, это невежливо! (Ne zevay na uroke, eto nevezhlivo!)

  Don't yawn in class; it's rude! (Shows imperative form in a social context.)

• Он зевал так сильно, что слезы выступили на глазах. (On zerval tak silno, chto slezy vystupili na glazakh.)

  He yawned so hard that tears came to his eyes. (Highlights an exaggerated usage with additional description.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"зевать" is a first-conjugation verb in Russian, which means it follows regular patterns for most forms. It is an imperfective verb, indicating ongoing or repeated actions. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This verb does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: зевнуть (zevnut' - to yawn once, more instantaneous); протяжно зевать (protyazhno zevat' - to yawn lengthily, with a connotation of exaggeration)
• Antonyms: бодрствовать (bodrstvovat' - to stay awake); не зевать (ne zevat' - not to yawn, implying alertness)

Explanation: "зевнуть" is a perfective synonym, used for a single instance, while "бодрствовать" contrasts by emphasizing wakefulness.

Related Phrases:

• зевнуть во весь рот (zevnut' vo ves' rot) - To yawn widely; literally "to yawn with the whole mouth" - Used to describe an exaggerated yawn in informal settings.
• не зевай, а работай (ne zevay, a rabotay) - Don't yawn, get to work; an idiomatic expression meaning "stop being lazy and focus."
• зевота накатывает (zevota nakatyvaet) - Yawn is coming on; means "feeling of drowsiness is setting in" - Common in casual conversations about fatigue.

Usage Notes:

"зевать" directly corresponds to the English "to yawn" as an imperfective verb, emphasizing the ongoing action. It is versatile across contexts but is more common in informal speech; in formal writing, you might pair it with adverbs for precision (e.g., "сильно зевать" for "to yawn heavily"). Learners should note that Russian verbs often require aspect consideration—use "зевнуть" for completed actions. When choosing between translations, opt for "зевать" in descriptions of habitual or ongoing yawning, and be aware of its conjugation based on subject gender and number.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using the infinitive form "зевать" incorrectly in sentences, e.g., saying "Я зевать" instead of "Я зеваю." Correct: "Я зеваю" (I am yawning). Explanation: Russian verbs must be conjugated according to tense and subject; always match the person and number.

• Error: Confusing with synonyms, such as using "зевнуть" for ongoing actions, e.g., "Я зевнуть каждый вечер" instead of "Я зеваю каждый вечер." Correct: "Я зеваю каждый вечер" (I yawn every evening). Explanation: "зевнуть" is perfective and implies a single event, so it's not suitable for habitual actions.

• Error: Omitting aspect in narratives, e.g., "Он зевать" when meaning "He yawned." Correct: Use past tense like "Он зевал." Explanation: Aspect is crucial in Russian; imperfective like "зевать" needs proper tense forms for clarity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, yawning (зевать) is often associated with tiredness or boredom but can also be seen as a social cue. For instance, it's considered polite to cover your mouth when yawning in public, reflecting general etiquette similar to Western norms. However, in literature like Chekhov's works, yawning might symbolize existential fatigue, adding a layer of emotional depth in Russian storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• усталость (ustalost' - tiredness)
• сонливость (sonlivost' - drowsiness)
• бодрость (bodrost' - alertness)