Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'clearly'

English Word: clearly

Key Russian Translations:

• ясно [ˈjasnə] - [Informal, Everyday speech]
• очевидно [ɐˈt͡ɕevʲɪdnə] - [Formal, Academic or written contexts]
• чётко [ˈt͡ɕɵtkə] - [Informal, Emphasizing precision]

Frequency: Medium (The word 'clearly' and its translations are commonly used in both spoken and written Russian, but not as frequent as basic adverbs like 'так').

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level can understand and use these adverbs in context, though nuances may require practice. For 'ясно', it's easier; for 'очевидно', it might lean towards B2 due to more formal usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

ясно: [ˈjasnə]

очевидно: [ɐˈt͡ɕevʲɪdnə]

чётко: [ˈt͡ɕɵtkə]

Note on ясно: The stress is on the first syllable; be careful with the soft 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. It may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Note on очевидно: Pronounce the 'ч' as a soft 'ch' like in 'church'; this word often has a more emphatic stress on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: In a clear or obvious manner (e.g., making something easy to understand)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ясно - Used in casual conversations to express something that is evident or straightforward, often in response to explanations.
• очевидно - Employed in formal writing or discussions to indicate logical clarity, such as in arguments or reports.
• чётко - Applied in contexts requiring precision, like instructions or descriptions.

Usage Examples:

• Он объяснил всё так ясно, что все поняли.

  He explained everything so clearly that everyone understood.

• Очевидно, что погода изменится к вечеру.

  Clearly, the weather will change by evening.

• Она говорит чётко и уверенно на собраниях.

  She speaks clearly and confidently at meetings.

• Ясно, что нам нужно больше времени для подготовки.

  Clearly, we need more time to prepare.

• В его аргументах всё изложено очевидно.

  His arguments are presented clearly.

Meaning: Without ambiguity or vagueness (e.g., in visual or auditory clarity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ясно - Common in everyday descriptions of visibility or audibility.
• чётко - Used for sharp, precise clarity, often in technical or sensory contexts.

Usage Examples:

• На фотографии всё видно так ясно.

  Everything is visible so clearly in the photo.

• Голос в записи слышен чётко.

  The voice in the recording is heard clearly.

• Ясно, как на ладони, что это подделка.

  It's clearly evident, like on the palm of your hand, that this is a fake.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Most translations like 'ясно', 'очевидно', and 'чётко' are adverbs, which do not inflect for gender, number, or case in Russian. They remain unchanged in all contexts.

For example:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • понятно [pɐˈnʲatnə] - More neutral, often used interchangeably with ясно in informal settings.
  • явно [ˈjavnə] - Emphasizes evident truth, with a slight connotation of visibility.
• Antonyms:
  • неясно [nʲɪˈjasnə] - Indicates lack of clarity or ambiguity.
  • смутно [ˈsmu tnə] - Suggests vagueness or haziness.

Related Phrases:

• Ясно как день - Literally: "Clear as day"; used to mean something is obviously true. (English equivalent: "As clear as day")
• Сделать ясно - Literally: "To make clear"; means to explain something explicitly. (English equivalent: "To clarify")
• Очевидно, что... - Literally: "Obviously, that..."; a common phrase for introducing evident statements. (English equivalent: "Clearly, that...")

Usage Notes:

'Ясно' is the most direct and versatile translation for 'clearly' in everyday Russian, often used in spoken language to confirm understanding or state the obvious. In contrast, 'очевидно' is preferred in formal or written contexts to convey logical clarity, similar to English academic writing. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'чётко' for precision in actions or descriptions. Note that these adverbs do not change form, making them straightforward for English learners, but pay attention to word order in Russian sentences, where they typically follow the verb.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'ясно' with 'понятно': English learners might use 'понятно' when 'ясно' is more appropriate for emphasis. Error: "Понятно, он прав" (instead of "Ясно, он прав"). Correct: Use 'ясно' for stronger assertion of obviousness. Explanation: 'Понятно' means "understandable," while 'ясно' means "clearly evident."
• Overusing 'очевидно' in informal speech: This can sound overly formal. Error: Saying "Очевидно, мы идем" in casual talk. Correct: Use 'ясно' instead, e.g., "Ясно, мы идем." Explanation: Match the register to the context to avoid sounding stiff.
• Mispronouncing stress: Forgetting the stress on the first syllable in 'ясно'. Error: Pronouncing as [jaˈsnə]. Correct: [ˈjasnə]. Explanation: Incorrect stress can lead to misunderstandings in fast-paced conversations.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, phrases like 'Ясно как день' reflect a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to communication, often rooted in everyday realism. This idiom draws from natural observations, emphasizing clarity in a society where directness is valued in personal and professional interactions.

Related Concepts:

• понятно
• явно
• точно