Thread: brag, boast, show off

Could someone explain the difference between these words? Which one (or maybe some other word) has the closest meaning to "выделываться", "выпендриваться", "выё*ываться" (pardon my French :) ?

I don't know those Russian words, but "brag" and "boast" refer to what you say about what you did, i.e. they must refer to your speech. "Show off" can refer to your actions, although it seems to me that people often use it to refer to speech too.
As to the difference between "brag" and "boast", I'm not so sure. There are probably other colloquial words too, but I can't remember any.

You can use "boast" like this:

"The hotel boasts three swimming pools"
You can't use "brags" here

Originally Posted by alexei

Could someone explain the difference between these words? Which one (or maybe some other word) has the closest meaning to "выделываться", "выпендриваться", "выё*ываться" (pardon my French ?

As for me, 'show off' is the closest match to "выделываться", "выпендриваться", "выё*ываться".

'to brag' and 'to boast' are usually used as to brag/to boast <about something> unlike "вы-*" words.

Yea. Bragging is just like talking about how good you (or your friends or your car) are.

Showing off is physically doing something. Like, All the noobs try to show off their russian skills, but they don't have any.

Boasting is a mix between physically and verbally... But's it's probably used the least in everyday speach. there is a saying that goes like
"A toast to the host who can boast the most"

The host who can do the most things, entertain, cook the best food etc...

But yea, it's better to not use "boast" if you don't have a strong grasp of english. Just stick to showing off, and bragging.

Showing off and braggin generally have bad conotations.
Boasting isn't always bad.

Sorry, I didn't give examples of using them. All of these words are used to show disapproval. And you can "выё..." both phisically and verbally.

For example: A newbie comes to a skating rink in order to learn ice skating. He barely stays in his skates and falls down all the time. And there's another guy who stakes perfetly. He's skating nearby so the noob can see him. He skates back to front, on one leg, jumps and perfomes other feats. Then the noob got sick of it and says to the guy: Ну хватит уже выё*ываться, лучше бы меня научил кататься.

And a joke: Перед океанским лайнером всплывает подводная лодка. Со скрежетом открывается люк, оттуда высовывается небритая физиономия и кричит капитану лайнера;
- Откуда будете?
- United States of America, sir!
- Чего?!
- Соединенный Штаты оф Америка, сё!
- А где Россия?
- 32 градус норд-ост...
- Ты там не выё*ывайся! Ты пальцем покажи!

Since you said that "brag" and "boast" are about only what you say, then "show off" is the only verb that fits.

what's this выё..... word?

Originally Posted by TATY

what's this выё..... word?

Just replace "*" with the letter "б" in the word "выё*ываться" :)

Originally Posted by alexei

Originally Posted by TATY

what's this выё..... word?

Just replace "*" with the letter "б" in the word "выё*ываться"

And don't look for this word in your dictionary...

best to just forget the word completely unless you want to sound like a dumb punk (no offense Alex) )

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

best to just forget the word completely unless you want to sound like a dumb punk (no offense Alex) )

now i know what the * is sort of understand the meaning.

I'll PM you

Originally Posted by alexei

Sorry, I didn't give examples of using them. All of these words are used to show disapproval. And you can "выё..." both phisically and verbally.

For example: A newbie comes to a skating rink in order to learn ice skating. He barely stays in his skates and falls down all the time. And there's another guy who stakes perfetly. He's skating nearby so the noob can see him. He skates back to front, on one leg, jumps and perfomes other feats. Then the noob got sick of it and says to the guy: Ну хватит уже выё*ываться, лучше бы меня научил кататься.
[snipped for brevity]

Since you said that "brag" and "boast" are about only what you say, then "show off" is the only verb that fits.

There's also another, less commonly used term that is closely related - "showboating" - doesn't really fit your example, but I thought it might be interesting.

showboating
1. To have a visibly exaggerated idea of ones own skills, talents, or abilities.
2. To exhibit a grotesque amount of undue and unfounded pride for a skill or ability which is actually mediocre.

--Robb Hammack

Originally Posted by RobbHammack

There's also another, less commonly used term that is closely related - "showboating" - doesn't really fit your example, but I thought it might be interesting.

showboating
1. To have a visibly exaggerated idea of ones own skills, talents, or abilities.
2. To exhibit a grotesque amount of undue and unfounded pride for a skill or ability which is actually mediocre.

Does it have a positive meaning?

Does it have a positive meaning?

No. Come on, Lyokha, get with it!

But " to Boast" is not necessarily negative.

"Bragging" usually is a negative act.

Originally Posted by alexei

Originally Posted by RobbHammack

There's also another, less commonly used term that is closely related - "showboating" - doesn't really fit your example, but I thought it might be interesting.

showboating
1. To have a visibly exaggerated idea of ones own skills, talents, or abilities.
2. To exhibit a grotesque amount of undue and unfounded pride for a skill or ability which is actually mediocre.

Does it have a positive meaning?

Not that I'm aware of. It's most commonly used as in "He's a real showboater" Meaning he likes to show off - which doesn't seem like a good thing to me

--Robb

Originally Posted by Pravit

Does it have a positive meaning?

No. Come on, Lyokha, get with it!

If you ever have russian friends and are ever typing with them in translit, dont ever, EVER refer to his name is lyokha. Its much cooler and less dorky to put "Lexa".

Originally Posted by Pravit

Does it have a positive meaning?

No. Come on, Lyokha, get with it! ;)

And now explain what does "get with it" mean here :)

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

If you ever have russian friends and are ever typing with them in translit, dont ever, EVER refer to his name is lyokha. Its much cooler and less dorky to put "Lexa".

That's way better.