Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Characteristic'

English Word: Characteristic

Key Russian Translations:

• характеристика [xərəktʲɪˈrʲistʲɪkə] - [Formal, Noun, Singular]
• особенность [ɐsɐˈbʲenːəsʲtʲ] - [Neutral, Noun, Singular]
• характерный [xərɐkˈtʲernɨj] - [Adjective, Descriptive]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in both formal and informal contexts depending on the translation)

Difficulty: характеристика - B1 (Intermediate); особенность - A2 (Elementary); характерный - B2 (Upper-Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

характеристика: [xərəktʲɪˈrʲistʲɪkə]

Note on характеристика: Stress falls on the fourth syllable. The 'х' sound is a voiceless fricative, distinct from English 'h'.

особенность: [ɐsɐˈbʲenːəsʲtʲ]

Note on особенность: Stress on the third syllable. The double 'н' is pronounced distinctly longer.

характерный: [xərɐkˈtʲernɨj]

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A distinguishing feature or quality (Noun)

Translation(s) & Context:

• характеристика - Often used in formal contexts, such as describing traits in reports or evaluations.
• особенность - More general and neutral, used to describe unique or specific traits in everyday speech.

Usage Examples:

• Эта характеристика личности очень важна для работы.

  This personality characteristic is very important for the job.

• Особенность этого города — его историческая архитектура.

  The characteristic of this city is its historical architecture.

• Его характеристика была положительной на собеседовании.

  His characteristic was positive during the interview.

2. Typical or descriptive (Adjective)

Translation(s) & Context:

• характерный - Used as an adjective to describe something typical or indicative of a person or thing.

Usage Examples:

• Это характерный пример его поведения.

  This is a characteristic example of his behavior.

• Её характерный смех невозможно спутать.

  Her characteristic laugh is unmistakable.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

характеристика (Noun, Feminine):

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	характеристика	характеристики
Genitive	характеристики	характеристик
Dative	характеристике	характеристикам

особенность (Noun, Feminine): Follows similar declension patterns as характеристика.

характерный (Adjective): Declines based on gender, number, and case (e.g., характерный, характерная, характерное).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for характеристика/особенность:

• черта
• признак

Note: 'черта' often implies a personal trait, while 'признак' is more general or scientific.

Antonyms for характерный:

• нехарактерный
• нетипичный

Related Phrases:

• характерная черта - A characteristic feature (often used for personal traits).
• основная характеристика - Main characteristic (used in formal descriptions).
• особенность поведения - Behavioral characteristic (common in psychological contexts).

Usage Notes:

• 'характеристика' is more formal and often used in written or professional contexts, such as job evaluations or academic descriptions.
• 'особенность' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal speech to denote a unique or distinguishing feature.
• 'характерный' as an adjective must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which can be tricky for learners.

Common Errors:

1. Mixing up характеристика and особенность: English learners often use 'характеристика' in casual speech, which sounds overly formal. Correct usage: Use 'особенность' for everyday descriptions (e.g., "особенность этого места" vs. incorrect "характеристика этого места").

2. Adjective agreement errors with характерный: Forgetting to adjust the ending based on the noun's gender. Incorrect: "характерный женщина" (should be "характерная женщина").

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'характеристика' often refers to a formal written evaluation, historically significant in Soviet times for employment or education purposes. Understanding this context can help English speakers grasp its formal tone.

Related Concepts:

• черта
• качество
• свойство