Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Breadth'

English Word: breadth

Key Russian Translations:

• широта [ʂɨˈrota] - [Formal, Often used metaphorically or in technical contexts]
• ширина [ʂɨˈrʲina] - [Neutral, Commonly used for physical width]

Frequency: Medium (both translations are used regularly in specific contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations due to contextual nuances

Pronunciation (Russian):

широта: [ʂɨˈrota]

Note on широта: Stress on the second syllable; the initial 'ш' is a retroflex fricative, similar to 'sh' in 'shoe' but harder.

ширина: [ʂɨˈrʲina]

Note on ширина: Stress on the second syllable; 'р' is rolled slightly, and 'и' is palatalized.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Width or Extent

Translation(s) & Context:

• ширина - Used for literal measurements, such as the width of an object or space.

Usage Examples:

• Ширина этой комнаты пять метров.

  The width of this room is five meters.

• Ширина реки здесь достигает ста метров.

  The breadth of the river here reaches one hundred meters.

• Проверь ширину ткани перед покупкой.

  Check the breadth of the fabric before buying.

2. Metaphorical Scope or Range

Translation(s) & Context:

• широта - Used for abstract concepts like breadth of knowledge or vision.

Usage Examples:

• Широта его взглядов впечатляет.

  The breadth of his views is impressive.

• Её широта знаний охватывает многие области.

  The breadth of her knowledge covers many fields.

• Мы обсудили широту проблемы на собрании.

  We discussed the breadth of the issue at the meeting.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

широта (feminine noun): Follows the first declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms.

ширина (feminine noun): Also follows the first declension pattern, similar to широта. Stress remains on the second syllable across forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for широта (metaphorical):

• обширность
• масштаб

Note: 'обширность' often implies vastness, while 'масштаб' focuses on scale or magnitude.

Synonyms for ширина (physical):

• протяжённость

Antonyms for both:

• узость
• ограниченность

Related Phrases:

• широта души - Breadth of soul (generosity or open-mindedness)
• широта взглядов - Breadth of views (openness to different perspectives)
• ширина дороги - Width of the road (physical measurement)

Usage Notes:

• While both 'широта' and 'ширина' translate to 'breadth,' 'ширина' is almost exclusively used for physical dimensions, whereas 'широта' often carries a metaphorical or abstract meaning (e.g., breadth of mind).
• In technical or scientific contexts (e.g., geography), 'широта' is also used to mean 'latitude,' which may confuse learners if not contextualized properly.
• Be mindful of the formal tone of 'широта' in abstract usage; it may sound overly serious in casual conversation.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'ширина' for abstract concepts like 'breadth of knowledge.' Incorrect: *Ширина знаний.* Correct: Широта знаний. Explanation: 'Ширина' is tied to physical width, not metaphorical scope.
• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation, e.g., saying [ˈʂɨrʲina] instead of [ʂɨˈrʲina]. Explanation: Stress in Russian nouns often determines meaning or grammatical form; incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

The term 'широта души' (breadth of soul) is a common Russian expression reflecting a cultural value of generosity, emotional depth, and hospitality. It is often used to describe someone's character in a positive light, highlighting the importance of openness in Russian interpersonal interactions.

Related Concepts:

• глубина (depth)
• длина (length)
• объём (volume)