Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Constant'

English Word: constant

Key Russian Translations:

• постоянный [pəstɐˈjanːɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• неизменный [nʲɪɪzˈmʲenːɨj] - [Adjective, Formal]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

постоянный: [pəstɐˈjanːɨj]

Note on постоянный: Stress falls on the second syllable. The 'ы' sound can be challenging for English speakers; it’s a unique vowel in Russian, pronounced with the tongue positioned high and back.

неизменный: [nʲɪɪzˈmʲenːɨj]

Note on неизменный: Stress on the third syllable. The soft 'н' (palatalized) requires practice for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Unchanging or Fixed (e.g., in value or state)

Translation(s) & Context:

• постоянный - Often used for things that remain steady over time, such as habits or conditions.
• неизменный - Emphasizes something immutable or invariable, often in formal or abstract contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У него постоянный доход.

  He has a constant income.

• Температура остается постоянной.

  The temperature remains constant.

• Его неизменная позиция удивила всех.

  His constant (unchanging) position surprised everyone.

• Этот закон неизменен на протяжении веков.

  This law has been constant (unaltered) for centuries.

• Она постоянный посетитель этого кафе.

  She is a constant visitor to this café.

2. Continual or Persistent (e.g., frequent occurrence)

Translation(s) & Context:

• постоянный - Used to describe something recurring or persistent in a less formal tone.

Usage Examples:

• Его постоянные жалобы раздражают.

  His constant complaints are annoying.

• Постоянные звонки мешают работать.

  Constant calls interfere with work.

• У нас постоянные проблемы с интернетом.

  We have constant issues with the internet.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

постоянный (Adjective): Follows standard Russian adjective declension rules based on gender, number, and case.

Note: Only key cases are shown; full declension follows similar patterns.

неизменный (Adjective): Follows similar adjective declension rules as above, with forms like неизменная (feminine), неизменное (neuter), etc.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for постоянный:

• стабильный
• непрерывный

Note: "стабильный" often implies stability in conditions, while "непрерывный" emphasizes uninterrupted continuity.

Antonyms for постоянный/неизменный:

• переменный
• изменчивый

Related Phrases:

• постоянный клиент - Regular customer (used in business contexts).
• постоянная величина - Constant value (used in mathematics or physics).
• неизменный успех - Unchanging success (used to describe consistent achievement).

Usage Notes:

• "постоянный" is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe something steady or recurring.
• "неизменный" is typically more formal and emphasizes an unalterable state, often used in written or academic language.
• Be mindful of adjective agreement in Russian; the form must match the noun it describes in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "постоянный" when "неизменный" is more appropriate in formal contexts. For example, saying "постоянный закон" instead of "неизменный закон" for an "unalterable law." Explanation: "неизменный" better conveys immutability in abstract or legal contexts.
• Error: Incorrect adjective agreement, e.g., using masculine "постоянный" with a feminine noun like "температура." Correct: "постоянная температура."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, the concept of "постоянный" often carries a positive connotation when applied to relationships or habits, implying reliability (e.g., "постоянный друг" - a loyal friend). However, when used for repetitive negative actions (e.g., "постоянные жалобы"), it may suggest annoyance.

Related Concepts:

• стабильность (stability)
• неизменность (immutability)
• регулярность (regularity)