Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'difficult'

English Word: difficult

Key Russian Translations:

• трудный [ˈtrudnɨj] - [Formal, General Use]
• сложный [ˈsloʐnɨj] - [Formal, Often for Complex or Complicated Matters]
• тяжёлый [tʲɪˈʐolɨj] - [Informal, Often for Emotional or Physical Difficulty]

Frequency: High (All translations are commonly used)

Difficulty: A2-B1 (Beginner-Intermediate, varies slightly by context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудный: [ˈtrudnɨj]

Note on трудный: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'у' sounds like 'oo' in 'food'.

сложный: [ˈsloʐnɨj]

Note on сложный: Stress on the first syllable; 'ж' is a voiced fricative, like 's' in 'measure'.

тяжёлый: [tʲɪˈʐolɨj]

Note on тяжёлый: Stress on the second syllable; 'ё' sounds like 'yo' in 'yonder'.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Hard to Do or Understand (General Difficulty)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудный - Used for general difficulty in tasks or situations.
• сложный - Often used for intellectual or technical complexity.

Usage Examples:

• Это был трудный экзамен.

  This was a difficult exam.

• У меня сложная задача на работе.

  I have a complicated task at work.

• Трудный выбор пришлось сделать.

  A difficult choice had to be made.

2. Emotionally or Physically Challenging

Translation(s) & Context:

• тяжёлый - Used for emotional burden or physical hardship.

Usage Examples:

• У неё тяжёлая жизнь.

  She has a difficult (hard) life.

• Это был тяжёлый день.

  It was a difficult (tough) day.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

трудный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case.

сложный and тяжёлый follow similar adjective declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• непростой (not simple, informal)
• затруднительный (problematic, formal)

Note: 'непростой' is more colloquial, while 'затруднительный' is formal and often implies a problematic situation.

Antonyms:

• лёгкий (easy, light)
• простой (simple)

Related Phrases:

• трудный вопрос - A difficult question (common in discussions or quizzes).
• сложная ситуация - A complicated situation (often used in formal or serious contexts).
• тяжёлое время - Hard times (often emotional or historical context).

Usage Notes:

• 'трудный' is the most neutral and widely applicable translation for 'difficult', suitable for most general contexts.
• 'сложный' often implies intellectual or technical complexity rather than emotional hardship.
• 'тяжёлый' carries a connotation of burden or struggle, often used for emotional or physical challenges.
• Choosing between these depends on the context; for example, use 'тяжёлый' for personal struggles, but 'сложный' for academic or technical challenges.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'тяжёлый' for intellectual difficulty. Incorrect: "Этот экзамен тяжёлый." Correct: "Этот экзамен трудный/сложный." (Explanation: 'тяжёлый' implies emotional or physical weight, not intellectual challenge.)
• Error: Overusing 'сложный' in casual speech. Incorrect: "Сегодня был сложный день." Correct: "Сегодня был тяжёлый день." (Explanation: 'сложный' sounds overly formal for everyday struggles; 'тяжёлый' is more natural.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, describing something as 'тяжёлый' (heavy/difficult) often carries an emotional weight, reflecting a historical and cultural tendency to associate difficulty with endurance and resilience, especially in personal or collective struggles.

Related Concepts:

• проблема (problem)
• испытание (challenge, trial)
• усилие (effort)