Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ample'

English Word: ample

Key Russian Translations:

• достаточный [dɐˈstatətɕnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• обильный [ɐˈbʲilʲnɨj] - [Formal/Descriptive, Adjective, Often for food or resources]
• в избытке [v ɪzˈbɨtkʲe] - [Informal, Phrase, Often used adverbially]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "достаточный" and "обильный"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "в избытке"

Pronunciation (Russian):

достаточный: [dɐˈstatətɕnɨj]

Note on достаточный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ч" sound is soft, similar to 'ch' in "church".

обильный: [ɐˈbʲilʲnɨj]

Note on обильный: Stress on the second syllable. The "л" is palatalized, pronounced with the tongue near the palate.

в избытке: [v ɪzˈbɨtkʲe]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Sufficient or Enough

Translation(s) & Context:

• достаточный - Used in formal or neutral contexts to indicate sufficiency (e.g., resources, time).

Usage Examples:

• У нас есть достаточное количество времени для подготовки.

  We have ample time to prepare.

• Его знаний достаточно для этой работы.

  His knowledge is ample for this job.

• Это достаточно простое решение.

  This is a sufficiently simple solution.

2. Abundant or Plentiful

Translation(s) & Context:

• обильный - Often used for tangible abundance, like food, rain, or harvest.
• в избытке - Used to emphasize excess or abundance, often in informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• На столе был обильный ужин.

  There was an ample dinner on the table.

• После дождя был обильный урожай.

  After the rain, there was an ample harvest.

• У нас продуктов в избытке.

  We have food in ample supply.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

достаточный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case like most Russian adjectives.

обильный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "достаточный".

в избытке (Phrase): Does not inflect; used as a fixed expression.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "достаточный":

• хваткий
• подходящий

Note: "хваткий" is more colloquial; "подходящий" implies suitability rather than quantity.

Synonyms for "обильный":

• щедрый
• изобильный

Antonyms:

• недостаточный (insufficient)
• скудный (scarce)

Related Phrases:

• в достаточном количестве - In ample quantity (used for countable items).
• обильный урожай - Ample harvest (common in agricultural contexts).
• иметь в избытке - To have in abundance (often for resources or emotions).

Usage Notes:

• "достаточный" is the most neutral and widely applicable translation for "ample" when referring to sufficiency.
• "обильный" is more specific to physical abundance and may sound poetic or formal in some contexts.
• "в избытке" is a phrase rather than a single word, often used to emphasize excess. It cannot be used as a direct adjective.
• Choose the translation based on context: for abstract sufficiency (e.g., time, knowledge), use "достаточный"; for tangible plenty (e.g., food), use "обильный".

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "в избытке" as an adjective. Incorrect: "Это в избытке время." Correct: "У нас время в избытке." (We have time in abundance.)
• Error: Misusing "обильный" for non-tangible concepts. Incorrect: "У меня обильное время." Correct: "У меня достаточное время." (I have ample time.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of abundance ("обильный") is often associated with hospitality. Offering an "обильный стол" (ample table) during gatherings is a sign of generosity and warmth, reflecting deep-rooted traditions of communal dining.

Related Concepts:

• изобилие (abundance)
• щедрость (generosity)
• хватать (to suffice)