Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Choppy'

English Word: choppy

Key Russian Translations:

• неровный [nʲɪˈrovnɨj] - [Formal, Used for uneven or rough surfaces or motion]
• прерывистый [prʲɪrɨˈvʲistɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Often used for interrupted or jerky speech/movement]
• волнистый [vɐlˈnʲistɨj] - [Neutral, Often used for choppy water or waves]

Frequency: Medium (used in specific contexts like weather, water, or speech)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by translation and context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неровный: [nʲɪˈrovnɨj]

Note on неровный: Stress on the second syllable; the 'р' is rolled slightly.

прерывистый: [prʲɪrɨˈvʲistɨj]

Note on прерывистый: Stress on the third syllable; soft 'р' sound before 'ы'.

волнистый: [vɐlˈnʲistɨj]

Note on волнистый: Stress on the second syllable; 'л' is soft.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Rough or uneven (e.g., water, sea)

Translation(s) & Context:

• волнистый - Often used to describe choppy water or waves in a neutral or descriptive tone.

Usage Examples:

• Море сегодня волнистое, лучше не плавать.

  The sea is choppy today, better not to swim.

• Лодка качалась на волнистой поверхности озера.

  The boat rocked on the choppy surface of the lake.

• Волнистые волны мешали рыбакам.

  The choppy waves hindered the fishermen.

2. Uneven or jerky (e.g., motion, speech)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неровный - Used for uneven motion or surfaces, often in a formal or technical context.
• прерывистый - Used for interrupted or jerky speech/movement, applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Его голос звучал прерывисто из-за волнения.

  His voice sounded choppy due to nervousness.

• Дорога была неровной, и машина подпрыгивала.

  The road was choppy, and the car bounced.

• Её прерывистое дыхание выдавало усталость.

  Her choppy breathing revealed her exhaustion.

• Неровный ритм песни сбивал с толку.

  The choppy rhythm of the song was confusing.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

неровный (adjective): Declines according to standard Russian adjective rules by gender, number, and case.

Case	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Plural
Nominative	неровный	неровная	неровное	неровные
Genitive	неровного	неровной	неровного	неровных

прерывистый (adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

волнистый (adjective): Follows similar adjective declension patterns as above.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for неровный:

• ухабистый (used for roads or terrain)
• рваный (used for uneven rhythm or motion)

Synonyms for прерывистый:

• отрывистый (used often for speech or sound)
• спорадический (more formal, for irregular occurrences)

Antonyms for неровный:

• ровный (smooth, even)
• гладкий (smooth, sleek)

Related Phrases:

• неровная дорога - Uneven/choppy road (used for describing rough terrain).
• прерывистое дыхание - Choppy breathing (often used in emotional or physical contexts).
• волнистое море - Choppy sea (common in weather or travel descriptions).

Usage Notes:

• "неровный" is typically used for physical unevenness, such as roads or surfaces, and less commonly for abstract concepts.
• "прерывистый" is more versatile and often applies to speech, breathing, or motion that is interrupted or inconsistent.
• "волнистый" is almost exclusively used for water or wave-like patterns; it is less common in other contexts.
• Choose the translation based on the specific context of "choppy" in English—whether it refers to water, speech, or motion.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "волнистый" for choppy speech.
  Incorrect: Его речь была волнистой.
  Correct: Его речь была прерывистой.
  Explanation: "волнистый" refers to wave-like or choppy water, not speech or motion.
• Error: Using "неровный" for choppy water.
  Incorrect: Море неровное.
  Correct: Море волнистое.
  Explanation: "неровный" is better suited for solid surfaces or abstract unevenness, not water.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, descriptions of "choppy" water (волнистое море) are common in literature and folklore, often symbolizing turmoil or unpredictability, especially in the context of the vast Russian seas and rivers.

Related Concepts:

• шторм (storm)
• волна (wave)
• нестабильность (instability)