Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Difficulty'

English Word: Difficulty

Key Russian Translations:

• трудность [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Singular]
• сложность [ˈsloʐnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Singular]
• затруднение [zətruˈdnʲenʲɪjə] - [Formal, Often used in specific contexts like "facing difficulty"]

Frequency: High (commonly used in various contexts)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) for all translations

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудность: [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ]

Note on трудность: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'д' is pronounced softly due to palatalization.

сложность: [ˈsloʐnəsʲtʲ]

Note on сложность: Stress on the first syllable; 'ж' sounds like the 's' in "measure".

затруднение: [zətruˈdnʲenʲɪjə]

Note on затруднение: Stress on the third syllable; the ending '-ие' is common in abstract nouns.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. General Difficulty (Abstract concept of something being hard)

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудность - Often used for general challenges or hardships.
• сложность - Refers to complexity or difficulty in understanding or execution.

Usage Examples:

• У меня возникла трудность с этим заданием.

  I encountered a difficulty with this task.

• Сложность задачи удивила всех студентов.

  The difficulty of the task surprised all the students.

• Он преодолел все трудности на своём пути.

  He overcame all difficulties in his path.

2. Specific Difficulty or Hindrance (A particular obstacle)

Translation(s) & Context:

• затруднение - Used for a specific issue or impediment, often temporary.

Usage Examples:

• Я испытываю затруднение при чтении этого текста.

  I am experiencing difficulty reading this text.

• У нас возникло затруднение с доставкой.

  We encountered a difficulty with the delivery.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

трудность (Noun, Feminine): Follows the 3rd declension pattern in Russian. Below is the declension table for singular and plural forms:

Case	Singular	Plural
Nominative	трудность	трудности
Genitive	трудности	трудностей
Dative	трудности	трудностям
Accusative	трудность	трудности
Instrumental	трудностью	трудностями
Prepositional	трудности	трудностях

сложность (Noun, Feminine): Follows a similar 3rd declension pattern. Declension is analogous to трудность.

затруднение (Noun, Neuter): Follows the 2nd declension pattern for neuter nouns. Declension table available upon request.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for трудность/сложность:

• проблема
• задача
• помеха

Note: "проблема" is more general and can imply a broader issue, while "помеха" often refers to an obstacle or interference.

Antonyms for трудность/сложность:

• лёгкость
• простота

Related Phrases:

• преодолеть трудности - Overcome difficulties.
• испытывать затруднение - Experience difficulty.
• сложность ситуации - Complexity of the situation.

Usage Notes:

• "трудность" often implies a personal or emotional struggle, while "сложность" leans toward intellectual or technical complexity.
• "затруднение" is more situational and often used in formal or written contexts to describe a specific hindrance.
• When choosing between translations, consider the context: use "сложность" for abstract complexity (e.g., a difficult concept), and "трудность" for tangible challenges (e.g., life hardships).

Common Errors:

Error 1: Using "проблема" instead of "трудность" or "сложность" in all contexts. While "проблема" means "problem," it doesn't always convey the nuance of "difficulty." For example:

• Wrong: У меня проблема с пониманием текста. (Sounds like a broader issue.)
• Correct: У меня сложность с пониманием текста. (Focuses on the difficulty of understanding.)

Error 2: Misusing cases after prepositions. For example, "с трудностью" (instrumental case) is correct, but learners often use nominative "с трудность," which is grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, discussing "трудности" (difficulties) often carries a tone of resilience or perseverance, reflecting historical and social emphasis on overcoming challenges. Expressions like "преодолеть трудности" are commonly used to inspire or acknowledge strength.

Related Concepts:

• проблема
• испытание
• преграда