Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Depth'

English Word: depth

Key Russian Translations:

• глубина [ɡlʊˈbʲinə] - [General, Formal & Informal]
• глубь [ɡlʊpʲ] - [Abstract, Often Figurative]

Frequency: High (глубина); Medium (глубь)

Difficulty: A2 (глубина - Beginner to Intermediate); B2 (глубь - Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

глубина: [ɡlʊˈbʲinə]

Note on глубина: Stress falls on the second syllable; the "г" is voiced and soft before "л".

глубь: [ɡlʊpʲ]

Note on глубь: A shorter, more abrupt pronunciation; often used in abstract contexts.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical Depth (e.g., of water, a hole)

Translation(s) & Context:

• глубина - Used for measurable physical depth, such as in water or a container.

Usage Examples:

• Глубина озера достигает 50 метров.

  The depth of the lake reaches 50 meters.

• Мы измерили глубину колодца.

  We measured the depth of the well.

• На какой глубине находится затонувший корабль?

  At what depth is the sunken ship located?

2. Figurative Depth (e.g., of thought, emotion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• глубина - Used for depth of understanding, emotion, or analysis.
• глубь - Often used metaphorically to imply "into the depths" of something abstract.

Usage Examples:

• Его слова полны глубины и смысла.

  His words are full of depth and meaning.

• Она ушла в глубь своих мыслей.

  She retreated into the depths of her thoughts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

глубина (feminine noun): Follows regular feminine noun declension in Russian.

глубь (feminine noun): Less commonly declined; often used in fixed expressions or with prepositions like "в глубь" (into the depths).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for глубина:

• глубокость (rare, formal)
• дно (contextual, bottom)

Note: "глубокость" is rarely used and sounds archaic; "дно" refers more to the bottom than depth itself.

Antonyms for глубина:

• мелководье (shallowness)
• поверхностность (superficiality, figurative)

Related Phrases:

• в глубине души - "deep in one’s soul" (figurative, emotional depth)
• на глубине - "at a depth of" (physical depth, often with measurement)
• в глубь веков - "into the depths of centuries" (historical or temporal depth)

Usage Notes:

• "глубина" is the most versatile and commonly used translation for "depth," applicable to both physical and abstract contexts.
• "глубь" is more specific to figurative or directional depth (e.g., moving "into the depths") and is less frequent in everyday speech.
• Be mindful of prepositional phrases; "глубина" often pairs with "на" (at a depth) for physical contexts, while "в глубь" implies movement inward.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "глубь" for physical measurements. Incorrect: *Глубь озера 50 метров.* Correct: Глубина озера 50 метров. (Explanation: "глубь" is not used for measurable depth; it implies an abstract or directional concept.)
• Error: Omitting prepositions with "глубина." Incorrect: *Я нырял глубина.* Correct: Я нырял на глубину. (Explanation: Prepositions are often required to clarify context.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "глубина" often carries a philosophical or emotional weight, especially in literature and poetry. It is frequently used to describe profound thoughts or feelings, reflecting the cultural value placed on introspection and depth of character.

Related Concepts:

• высота (height)
• ширина (width)
• поверхность (surface)