Signification
To not know what to do in a situation.
Contexte culturel
The gesture is often accompanied by a specific facial expression: slightly raised eyebrows and a downward turn of the mouth. It's a very 'theatrical' gesture in Russian social interaction. This phrase became a staple of Soviet satire, used to mock bureaucrats who would 'разводить руками' instead of solving simple problems for citizens. In a Russian business meeting, if someone 'разводит руками,' it's a sign that the negotiation has reached a point where no further concessions can be made. Dostoevsky and Chekhov used this phrase to describe the 'superfluous man'—characters who see the problems of the world but can only spread their hands in existential despair.
Use 'Только'
Adding 'только' (only) before the verb makes you sound much more native. 'Он только развёл руками' sounds better than 'Он развёл руками'.
Don't use for physical exercise
If you are doing gym exercises and spreading your arms, use 'разводить руки в стороны'. Don't use the idiom form 'разводить руками'.
Signification
To not know what to do in a situation.
Use 'Только'
Adding 'только' (only) before the verb makes you sound much more native. 'Он только развёл руками' sounds better than 'Он развёл руками'.
Don't use for physical exercise
If you are doing gym exercises and spreading your arms, use 'разводить руки в стороны'. Don't use the idiom form 'разводить руками'.
The 'Sigh'
This phrase is often accompanied by a heavy sigh (вздох). Combining the two in a story adds great emotional depth.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the phrase.
Когда я спросил его о деньгах, он просто ________ (perfective) руками.
We need the perfective past masculine form to match 'он' and a single action.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'разводить руками'?
Выберите ситуацию:
Losing keys and being unable to find them causes the helplessness described by the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
— Ты починил мой телефон? — Нет, там сгорела плата. Я только...
'Развожу руками' expresses the mechanic's inability to fix the phone.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesКогда я спросил его о деньгах, он просто ________ (perfective) руками.
We need the perfective past masculine form to match 'он' and a single action.
Выберите ситуацию:
Losing keys and being unable to find them causes the helplessness described by the phrase.
— Ты починил мой телефон? — Нет, там сгорела плата. Я только...
'Развожу руками' expresses the mechanic's inability to fix the phone.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but only if 'I don't know' implies you are also unable to help or find out. It's not for simple facts like 'I don't know the time.'
No, it's neutral. However, if a waiter does it to you, it might feel frustrating, but the phrase itself isn't an insult.
The perfective is 'развести руками'. Use it for a specific moment in time.
No, the idiom always uses the plural 'руками' because the gesture requires both arms.
Expressions liées
пожимать плечами
similarto shrug shoulders
опускать руки
contrastto give up / lose heart
умывать руки
contrastto wash one's hands of something
хлопать глазами
similarto blink in confusion
встать в тупик
builds onto reach a dead end
