Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Brief'

English Word: Brief

Key Russian Translation(s):

• краткий [ˈkratkʲɪj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• короткий [kɐˈrotkʲɪj] - [Adjective, Informal, Often for time or length]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

краткий: [ˈkratkʲɪj]

Note on краткий: Stress falls on the first syllable. The 'й' at the end is a soft consonant sound, often challenging for English speakers.

короткий: [kɐˈrotkʲɪj]

Note on короткий: Stress on the second syllable. The 'р' is rolled, a common difficulty for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Short in duration or length (time, text, etc.)

Translation(s) & Context:

• краткий - Used for concise content, summaries, or descriptions (e.g., a brief report).
• короткий - Often refers to physical shortness or brief duration (e.g., a brief moment).

Usage Examples:

• Его доклад был очень кратким.

  His report was very brief.

• Дай мне краткое объяснение.

  Give me a brief explanation.

• У нас был короткий разговор.

  We had a brief conversation.

• Это был короткий визит.

  It was a brief visit.

• Она написала короткое письмо.

  She wrote a brief letter.

2. Concise instructions or summary (formal context)

Translation(s) & Context:

• краткий - Preferred in formal or written contexts for summaries or instructions.

Usage Examples:

• Пожалуйста, подготовьте краткий отчёт.

  Please prepare a brief report.

• Мне нужен краткий обзор темы.

  I need a brief overview of the topic.

• Инструкции были краткими и понятными.

  The instructions were brief and clear.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

краткий (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension rules based on gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	краткий	краткая	краткое	краткие
Genitive	краткого	краткой	краткого	кратких
Dative	краткому	краткой	краткому	кратким

Note: Only key cases shown for brevity. Full declension follows similar patterns.

короткий (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules as "краткий."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for краткий:

• сжатый (compressed, concise)
• лаконичный (succinct, to the point)

Note: "лаконичный" often implies elegant brevity, while "сжатый" focuses on compactness.

Antonyms for краткий:

• длинный (long)
• подробный (detailed)

Related Phrases:

• краткое содержание - Summary (e.g., of a book or story)
• короткий срок - Short term (e.g., a brief period)
• короткий ответ - Brief answer (e.g., a quick reply)

Usage Notes:

• "краткий" is generally used for abstract brevity, such as concise writing or speech, and is more formal or neutral in tone.
• "короткий" often refers to physical shortness or short duration and is more conversational.
• Choose "краткий" for formal contexts like reports or summaries, and "короткий" for casual references to time or length.

Common Errors:

Error 1: Confusing "краткий" and "короткий"

Many English learners use "короткий" in formal writing when "краткий" is more appropriate. For example:

• Incorrect: Напишите короткий отчёт. (Sounds too casual for a report)
• Correct: Напишите краткий отчёт. (Appropriate for formal context)

Error 2: Misplacing stress in pronunciation

Stress in "короткий" is on the second syllable, not the first. Mispronouncing as [ˈkorotkʲɪj] instead of [kɐˈrotkʲɪj] can lead to misunderstandings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian communication, brevity (especially in formal settings) is often valued as a sign of clarity and respect for others' time. Using "краткий" appropriately in written or professional contexts can reflect cultural competence.

Related Concepts:

• сжатость (conciseness)
• лаконичность (succinctness)
• длительность (duration)