Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Abstract'

English Word: Abstract

Key Russian Translations:

• абстрактный [ɐpˈstraktnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]
• абстракция [ɐpˈstraktsɨjə] - [Noun, Formal]
• отвлечённый [ɐtvʲɪˈtʃʲɵnnɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Academic]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for "абстрактный" and "абстракция"; C1 (Advanced) for "отвлечённый"

Pronunciation (Russian):

абстрактный: [ɐpˈstraktnɨj]

Note on абстрактный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ы" sound is a distinct Russian vowel, often challenging for non-native speakers.

абстракция: [ɐpˈstraktsɨjə]

Note on абстракция: The final "я" is pronounced as "ya," and stress is again on the second syllable.

отвлечённый: [ɐtvʲɪˈtʃʲɵnnɨj]

Note on отвлечённый: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the soft consonants "ч" and "н".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Abstract as "not concrete, conceptual" (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• абстрактный - Used in formal or academic contexts to describe theoretical or non-tangible ideas (e.g., abstract art, abstract thinking).
• отвлечённый - Often used in academic discussions to denote detachment from reality or specifics.

Usage Examples:

• Его идеи были слишком абстрактными для практического применения.

  His ideas were too abstract for practical application.

• Абстрактное искусство не всем понятно.

  Abstract art is not understandable to everyone.

• Он говорил об отвлечённых понятиях, не касаясь деталей.

  He spoke about abstract concepts without touching on details.

2. Abstract as "a summary or concept" (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• абстракция - Refers to an abstract concept or idea, or a summary (e.g., in academic papers).

Usage Examples:

• Абстракция в философии помогает понять сложные идеи.

  Abstraction in philosophy helps to understand complex ideas.

• Перед статьёй нужно написать абстракцию.

  You need to write an abstract before the article.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

абстрактный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	абстрактный	абстрактная	абстрактное	абстрактные
Genitive	абстрактного	абстрактной	абстрактного	абстрактных

абстракция (Noun, Feminine): Declines as a 1st declension noun.

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	абстракция	абстракции
Genitive	абстракции	абстракций

отвлечённый (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "абстрактный".

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for абстрактный:

• теоретический (theoretical)
• умозрительный (speculative)

Note: "теоретический" is more common in scientific contexts, while "умозрительный" implies speculative thinking.

Antonyms for абстрактный:

• конкретный (concrete)
• практический (practical)

Related Phrases:

• абстрактное мышление - Abstract thinking
• абстрактное искусство - Abstract art
• отвлечённая идея - Abstract idea (detached from reality)

Usage Notes:

• "абстрактный" is the most common translation for "abstract" as an adjective and is widely used in both spoken and written contexts.
• "абстракция" as a noun is often used in academic or philosophical discussions, or to refer to summaries of research papers.
• "отвлечённый" is less common and typically appears in formal or literary contexts, emphasizing detachment from the concrete.
• Be cautious with word choice depending on the context; using "абстракция" when an adjective is needed will sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "абстракция" (noun) instead of "абстрактный" (adjective) in sentences requiring an adjective. Example: *Эта идея абстракция* (incorrect) vs. *Эта идея абстрактная* (correct). Explanation: "абстракция" is a noun and cannot modify another noun directly.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., stressing the first syllable of "абстрактный" instead of the second. Explanation: Stress in Russian is crucial and can change meaning or sound unnatural if misplaced.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian academic culture, the term "абстракция" is frequently used in the context of summarizing research or philosophical ideas. Abstract art ("абстрактное искусство") also holds a significant place in Russian cultural history, particularly with artists like Wassily Kandinsky, who pioneered abstract expressionism.

Related Concepts:

• теория (theory)
• концепция (concept)
• идея (idea)