Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Arduous'

English Word: arduous

Key Russian Translations:

• трудный [ˈtrudnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, General Use]
• тяжёлый [tʲɪˈʐolɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Often Emotional or Physical Burden]
• изнурительный [ɪznʊrʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj] - [Formal, Emphasizes Exhaustion]

Frequency: Medium (Common in written and spoken contexts, especially in formal or descriptive language)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies by translation - "трудный" is B1, "изнурительный" is B2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудный: [ˈtrudnɨj]

Note on трудный: Stress on the first syllable. The "у" is pronounced like the "oo" in "food."

тяжёлый: [tʲɪˈʐolɨj]

Note on тяжёлый: Stress on the second syllable. The "ё" sounds like "yo" in "yonder."

изнурительный: [ɪznʊrʲɪˈtʲelʲnɨj]

Note on изнурительный: Stress on the fourth syllable. Soft consonants require attention in pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Difficult or Hard (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудный - Used for general difficulty, applicable to tasks, situations, or concepts.

Usage Examples:

• Это был трудный экзамен.

  This was a difficult exam.

• У нас трудный выбор.

  We have a hard choice.

• Трудный путь нас ждёт.

  A difficult path awaits us.

2. Heavy or Burdensome (Physical or Emotional)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тяжёлый - Often used for physical weight or emotional burden, implying struggle.

Usage Examples:

• Это тяжёлая работа.

  This is arduous work.

• У него тяжёлая жизнь.

  He has a hard life.

3. Exhausting or Grueling

Translation(s) & Context:

• изнурительный - Focuses on something that drains energy or strength.

Usage Examples:

• Это был изнурительный поход.

  It was a grueling hike.

• Изнурительная жара длилась неделю.

  The exhausting heat lasted a week.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

трудный (Adjective): Declines by gender, number, and case. Follows standard adjective declension rules in Russian.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	трудный	трудная	трудное	трудные
Genitive	трудного	трудной	трудного	трудных

тяжёлый (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as "трудный." Note the "ё" remains in most forms.

изнурительный (Adjective): Declines similarly, with stress shifts in some forms. Consult a full declension table for advanced usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• сложный (complex, difficult)
• нелёгкий (not easy, challenging)
• утомительный (tiring, wearisome)

Note: "сложный" often implies complexity, while "утомительный" emphasizes fatigue.

Antonyms:

• лёгкий (easy, light)
• простой (simple)

Related Phrases:

• трудный день - A hard day (used for a challenging or tiring day).
• тяжёлое бремя - A heavy burden (often metaphorical for responsibilities).
• изнурительная работа - Grueling work (emphasizes physical or mental exhaustion).

Usage Notes:

• "трудный" is the most versatile translation for "arduous," suitable for most general contexts of difficulty.
• "тяжёлый" often carries a connotation of weight or emotional strain, so it’s better for contexts involving burden or hardship.
• "изнурительный" should be reserved for situations that are draining or exhausting, often with a negative tone.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; the form must match the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "тяжёлый" for abstract difficulty (e.g., a math problem).
  Incorrect: Тяжёлый вопрос. (Implies a "heavy" question, which sounds odd.)
  Correct: Трудный вопрос. (A difficult question.)
  Explanation: "тяжёлый" is better for tangible or emotional weight, not abstract challenges.
• Error: Ignoring adjective agreement.
  Incorrect: Трудный задача. (Masculine form with feminine noun.)
  Correct: Трудная задача. (Feminine form matches "задача.")

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing something as "трудный" or "тяжёлый" often carries a sense of perseverance or stoicism, reflecting a historical emphasis on enduring hardship. Using these terms might evoke a cultural resonance of resilience, especially in contexts of work or personal struggle.

Related Concepts:

• упорство (perseverance)
• выносливость (endurance)
• усилие (effort)