Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'average'

English Word: average

Key Russian Translations:

• средний [ˈsrʲednʲɪj] - [Formal/Informal, Adjective]
• среднее [ˈsrʲednʲɪjə] - [Formal, Noun, Used as 'average value']
• обычный [ɐˈbɨt͡ɕnɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Often for 'typical' or 'ordinary']

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for 'средний' and 'среднее'); B1 (Intermediate for 'обычный')

Pronunciation (Russian):

средний: [ˈsrʲednʲɪj]

Note on средний: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'р' is rolled slightly.

среднее: [ˈsrʲednʲɪjə]

Note on среднее: Same stress pattern as 'средний', with a neutral ending for noun form.

обычный: [ɐˈbɨt͡ɕnɨj]

Note on обычный: Stress on the second syllable; 'ы' sounds like a short, central vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Mean or Median (Mathematical/Statistical Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• среднее - Used in mathematical or statistical contexts to denote an average value.
• средний - Used as an adjective to describe something as 'average' in value or performance.

Usage Examples:

• Среднее значение оценок составляет 4.5.

  The average value of the grades is 4.5.

• Его средний доход выше, чем у большинства.

  His average income is higher than most people's.

• Мы вычислили среднее за последний год.

  We calculated the average for the past year.

2. Ordinary or Typical (General Sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• средний - Used to describe something or someone as 'average' in quality or ability.
• обычный - Often used to mean 'usual' or 'ordinary', with a slightly more casual tone.

Usage Examples:

• Это средний результат для такого уровня.

  This is an average result for this level.

• Он обычный человек, ничем не выделяется.

  He is an average person, nothing stands out about him.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	средний	средняя	среднее	средние
Genitive	среднего	средней	среднего	средних

среднее (Noun): Neuter noun, declines as a regular neuter noun in all cases.

обычный (Adjective): Follows standard adjective declension patterns similar to 'средний'.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for 'средний':

• посредственный (mediocre, often with a negative connotation)
• нормальный (normal, neutral tone)

Synonyms for 'обычный':

• привычный (habitual, familiar)
• стандартный (standard)

Antonyms:

• выдающийся (outstanding)
• исключительный (exceptional)

Related Phrases:

• средний возраст - middle age (used to describe an age range)
• средний балл - average score (common in academic contexts)
• обычный день - ordinary day (everyday context)

Usage Notes:

• 'среднее' is strictly used as a noun for mathematical or statistical averages, while 'средний' as an adjective is more versatile for describing qualities or characteristics.
• 'обычный' often carries a connotation of 'typical' or 'usual' and is less precise for numerical averages compared to 'средний'.
• Be mindful of gender and case agreement when using adjectives like 'средний' and 'обычный' in sentences.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'среднее' as an adjective. Incorrect: Среднее человек. Correct: Средний человек (average person). Explanation: 'среднее' is a noun or neuter form; use 'средний' for masculine subjects.
• Error: Confusing 'обычный' with 'средний' in formal contexts. Incorrect: Обычный доход в отчёте. Correct: Средний доход в отчёте (average income in the report). Explanation: 'обычный' is too casual for formal or statistical contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing someone as 'средний' or 'обычный' can sometimes carry a neutral or slightly negative tone, implying a lack of distinction or uniqueness. Be cautious when using these terms in personal descriptions, as they might be interpreted as underwhelming or critical.

Related Concepts:

• медиана (median)
• норма (norm)
• стандарт (standard)