Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Complexity'

English Word: Complexity

Key Russian Translations:

• сложность [ˈsloʐnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• запутанность [zəpʊˈtanːəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Often Used for Abstract or Tangled Situations]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for "сложность"; B2 (Upper-Intermediate) for "запутанность"

Pronunciation (Russian):

сложность: [ˈsloʐnəsʲtʲ]

Note on сложность: Stress falls on the first syllable. The "ж" sound is a voiced retroflex fricative, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

запутанность: [zəpʊˈtanːəsʲtʲ]

Note on запутанность: Stress on the third syllable. Pay attention to the geminated "н" sound for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Difficulty or Complicated Nature

Translation(s) & Context:

• сложность - Commonly used to describe something difficult or intricate, such as a task or concept.

Usage Examples:

• Сложность задачи удивила всех студентов.

  The complexity of the task surprised all the students.

• Эта игра отличается большой сложностью.

  This game is characterized by high complexity.

• Мы недооценили сложность проекта.

  We underestimated the complexity of the project.

2. Entanglement or Confusion

Translation(s) & Context:

• запутанность - Used for abstract complexity, often implying confusion or entanglement, such as in relationships or ideas.

Usage Examples:

• Запутанность сюжета делает фильм интересным.

  The complexity of the plot makes the movie interesting.

• Её объяснения только добавили запутанности.

  Her explanations only added to the complexity (confusion).

• Запутанность отношений между героями поражает.

  The complexity of the relationships between the characters is striking.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

сложность (Noun, Feminine): Declines according to the 3rd declension pattern in Russian.

запутанность (Noun, Feminine): Follows a similar 3rd declension pattern. See a comparable table for full declension if needed.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for "сложность":

• трудность
• затруднение

Note: "трудность" often implies difficulty in execution, while "сложность" can refer to structural intricacy.

Antonyms for "сложность":

• простота
• лёгкость

Related Phrases:

• высокая сложность - High complexity (often used for tasks or challenges).
• запутанность ситуации - Complexity of the situation (used for confusing or unclear contexts).
• преодолеть сложность - To overcome complexity (used in problem-solving contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "сложность" is the more common and versatile term, suitable for both concrete and abstract contexts, such as tasks, problems, or concepts.
• "запутанность" is more specific, often carrying a connotation of entanglement or confusion, and is typically used for abstract ideas, plots, or relationships.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between these translations, as using "запутанность" for a straightforward difficult task might sound unnatural.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "запутанность" for physical or technical difficulty (e.g., "запутанность задачи").
  Correct Usage: Use "сложность задачи" for "complexity of the task."
  Explanation: "запутанность" implies confusion or entanglement, not mere difficulty.
• Error: Incorrect stress in pronunciation, such as stressing the wrong syllable in "сложность."
  Correct Usage: Stress the first syllable: [ˈsloʐnəsʲtʲ].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "сложность" is often associated with intellectual or structural challenges, reflecting a cultural appreciation for problem-solving and perseverance. It is common to discuss the "сложность" of bureaucratic processes or academic tasks in everyday conversations.

Related Concepts:

• трудность (difficulty)
• проблема (problem)
• неясность (ambiguity)