Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Comfortable'

English Word: comfortable

Key Russian Translations:

• удобный [ˈudəbnɨj] - [Informal, General Use]
• комфортабельный [kəmfərˈtabɨlnɨj] - [Formal, Often for Objects or Environments]
• уютный [ˈujutnɨj] - [Informal, Emotional Comfort, Often for Spaces]

Frequency: High (especially "удобный")

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner to Intermediate; "удобный" is easier at A2, while "комфортабельный" may be B1 due to formality)

Pronunciation (Russian):

удобный: [ˈudəbnɨj]

Note on удобный: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ы" sound is unique to Russian and may be challenging for English speakers.

комфортабельный: [kəmfərˈtabɨlnɨj]

Note on комфортабельный: Stress on the third syllable. Borrowed from English, so the root may sound familiar.

уютный: [ˈujutnɨj]

Note on уютный: Stress on the first syllable. The "ю" sound requires rounding the lips.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Comfort (e.g., furniture, clothing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• удобный - Commonly used for objects like chairs, shoes, or tools that feel easy to use.
• комфортабельный - Used for larger items or environments like cars or hotels, emphasizing luxury or high quality.

Usage Examples:

• Этот диван очень удобный.

  This sofa is very comfortable.

• У меня удобные туфли для долгих прогулок.

  I have comfortable shoes for long walks.

• Этот отель комфортабельный и недорогой.

  This hotel is comfortable and affordable.

2. Emotional or Cozy Comfort (e.g., atmosphere, home)

Translation(s) & Context:

• уютный - Refers to a warm, cozy, or homely feeling, often for places or situations.

Usage Examples:

• У нас очень уютный дом.

  We have a very comfortable (cozy) home.

• В этом кафе такая уютная атмосфера.

  This café has such a comfortable (cozy) atmosphere.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

удобный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case, following standard Russian adjective patterns.

Note: Similar declension patterns apply to "комфортабельный" and "уютный."

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for удобный:

• практичный (practical)
• сподручный (handy)

Note: "практичный" often implies utility beyond comfort, while "сподручный" is more colloquial.

Antonyms for удобный:

• неудобный (uncomfortable)
• неприятный (unpleasant)

Related Phrases:

• удобное место - a comfortable spot/seat (literal and figurative)
• уютный уголок - a cozy corner (often used for a favorite personal space)
• комфортабельный номер - a comfortable room (in a hotel context)

Usage Notes:

• "удобный" is the most versatile and frequently used translation for "comfortable," suitable for everyday contexts like clothing or furniture.
• "комфортабельный" is more formal and often used in advertising or descriptions of high-end products/services.
• "уютный" is specific to emotional or atmospheric comfort, often tied to warmth and coziness, and cannot be used for physical objects like shoes.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; the form must match the noun’s gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "уютный" for physical objects like chairs. Incorrect: "Этот стул уютный." Correct: "Этот стул удобный." (Explanation: "уютный" is for emotional coziness, not physical comfort of objects.)
• Error: Misusing "комфортабельный" in casual speech. Incorrect: "Мои кроссовки комфортабельные." Correct: "Мои кроссовки удобные." (Explanation: "комфортабельный" sounds overly formal for personal items like sneakers.)

Cultural Notes:

The concept of "уют" (coziness, related to "уютный") is deeply rooted in Russian culture, often associated with home, family, and warmth, especially during long, cold winters. Creating a "уютный" atmosphere is highly valued, and the word carries emotional weight beyond mere comfort.

Related Concepts:

• тепло (warmth)
• домашний (homely)
• спокойствие (calmness)