будто бы

• БУДТО БЫ

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1. [subord conj; introduces a nominal clause]

⇒ used to express doubt or uncertainty as to the reliability of what is stated in the clause that follows:

- that (s.o. < sth.> seems to (appears to);

- that (s.o. < sth.>) supposedly (allegedly);

- (a rumor <a message etc>) alleging that...

     ♦ С первой санной оказией из города пришёл слух, будто бы Германия подписала перемирие... (Федин 1). With the first opportunity to use sleds a rumor came from town alleging that Germany had signed an armistice... (1a)

2. [subord conj; introduces a compar clause]

⇒ (used to convey the unreal, illusory nature of the comparison) just like it would be if:

- as if (though);

- like;

- [in limited contexts](so...that) one <it etc> seems to...

     ♦ Вы так смотрите, будто бы видите меня в первый раз! You're looking at me as if you were seeing me for the first time!

3. coll [Particle]

⇒ used to express the speaker's doubt or uncertainty as to the reliability of the information contained in the statement as well as the source of that information:

- allegedly;

- supposedly;

- ostensibly;

- apparently;

- purportedly;

- [in limited contexts] it seems that...

     ♦ ...Переписывая по случаю летнего времени в беседке сада, он будто бы слышал, как Николай Гаврилович и Владислав Дмитриевич, ходя между собой под руку (чёрточка верная!), говорили о поклоне от их доброжелателей барским крестьянам... (Набоков 1). ...While doing his copying "on account of the summer weather in a garden pavilion," he allegedly heard Nikolay Gavrilovich and Vladislav Dmitrievich as they were strolling arm-in-arm (a not implausible detail), talking about greetings from well-wishers to the serfs... (1a).

     ♦ Наконец опросы перешли к защитнику, и тот первым делом начал узнавать о пакете, в котором "будто бы" спрятаны были Федором Павловичем три тысячи рублей для "известной особы" (Достоевский 2). Finally the questioning passed to the defense attorney, and he, first of all, began asking about the envelope in which Fyodor Pavlovich "supposedly" hid three thousand roubles for "a certain person" (2a).

     ♦ Жил будто бы на свете какой-то начальник, который вдруг встревожился мыслию, что никто из подчиненных не любит его (Салтыков-Щедрин 1). It seemed that there had once lived in the world a chief who was suddenly disturbed by the thought that none of his subordinates loved him (1a).