Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cursory'

English Word: cursory

Key Russian Translations:

• поверхностный [pəvʲɪrˈxnostnɨj] - [Formal, Adjective]
• беглый [ˈbʲeɡlɨj] - [Informal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate) for both translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

поверхностный: [pəvʲɪrˈxnostnɨj]

Note on поверхностный: Stress falls on the third syllable. The 'х' sound is a voiceless fricative, similar to the 'ch' in Scottish 'loch'.

беглый: [ˈbʲeɡlɨj]

Note on беглый: Stress on the first syllable. The soft 'г' is palatalized, a common feature in Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Done quickly and without attention to detail

Translation(s) & Context:

• поверхностный - Often used in formal or written contexts to describe a superficial examination or analysis.
• беглый - More colloquial, often used for quick, casual glances or reviews.

Usage Examples:

• Его поверхностный анализ проблемы не выявил ключевых причин.

  His cursory analysis of the problem did not reveal the key causes.

• Она бросила беглый взгляд на документ и ушла.

  She gave the document a cursory glance and left.

• Поверхностное изучение языка не даст глубоких знаний.

  A cursory study of the language will not provide deep knowledge.

• Беглый осмотр комнаты не показал ничего подозрительного.

  A cursory inspection of the room revealed nothing suspicious.

• Его поверхностное отношение к работе раздражает коллег.

  His cursory attitude toward work annoys his colleagues.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

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

беглый (Adjective): Similarly follows standard adjective declension rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for поверхностный:

• неглубокий (less thorough)
• формальный (more about formality)

Synonyms for беглый:

• быстрый (quick)
• мимолётный (fleeting)

Antonyms for both:

• глубокий (deep)
• тщательный (thorough)

Related Phrases:

• поверхностное суждение - Cursory judgment (quick and often inaccurate opinion)
• беглый взгляд - Cursory glance (a quick look without much attention)
• поверхностное знакомство - Cursory acquaintance (a superficial relationship or knowledge)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between translations: Use "поверхностный" in formal contexts like academic or professional discussions to imply a lack of depth. Use "беглый" for more casual or everyday situations, often related to a quick action like glancing or skimming.
• Adjective agreement: Both Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key grammatical feature for English learners to note.

Common Errors:

• Mixing formality levels: English learners often use "беглый" in formal writing, which sounds inappropriate. For example, writing "беглый анализ" in a report is too informal; "поверхностный анализ" is correct.
• Incorrect adjective agreement: A common mistake is failing to adjust the adjective form. For instance, saying "поверхностный проблема" instead of "поверхностная проблема" ignores the feminine gender of "проблема".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "поверхностный" approach to serious matters like education or relationships may be viewed negatively, as depth and thoroughness are often valued. Using this term might imply criticism, so it should be used with caution in sensitive contexts.

Related Concepts:

• небрежный (careless)
• формальный (formal)
• мимолётный (fleeting)