Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Diligent'

English Word: diligent

Key Russian Translations:

• усердный [ˈusʲɪrdnɨj] - [Formal, Used for personal effort or work ethic]
• прилежный [prʲɪˈlʲeʐnɨj] - [Formal/Informal, Often used for students or consistent effort]
• трудолюбивый [trʊdəlʲʊˈbʲivɨj] - [Formal, Emphasizes love for work or industriousness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal and educational contexts)

Difficulty: B1-B2 (Intermediate; varies slightly by term due to nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

усердный: [ˈusʲɪrdnɨj]

Note on усердный: Stress falls on the first syllable; the 'р' sound is rolled lightly.

прилежный: [prʲɪˈlʲeʐnɨj]

Note on прилежный: Stress on the second syllable; 'ж' is a voiced fricative, similar to 's' in 'measure'.

трудолюбивый: [trʊdəlʲʊˈbʲivɨj]

Note on трудолюбивый: Stress on the fourth syllable; a longer word with soft consonants.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Showing careful and persistent effort (General)

Translation(s) & Context:

• усердный - Often used for someone who works hard with dedication, especially in professional or personal tasks.
• трудолюбивый - Highlights a natural inclination or love for hard work, often a character trait.

Usage Examples:

• Он усердно работал над проектом всю ночь.

  He worked diligently on the project all night.

• Она трудолюбивая женщина, всегда готова помочь.

  She is a diligent woman, always ready to help.

2. Attentive and thorough, especially in studies (Academic)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прилежный - Commonly used for students or learners who are attentive and consistent in their studies.

Usage Examples:

• Ученик был очень прилежным и всегда делал домашнюю работу.

  The student was very diligent and always did his homework.

• Её прилежное отношение к учёбе впечатляет учителей.

  Her diligent attitude toward studies impresses the teachers.

• Будь прилежным, и ты добьёшься успеха на экзаменах.

  Be diligent, and you will succeed in your exams.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

усердный (Adjective): Declines according to gender, number, and case like most Russian adjectives.

прилежный (Adjective): Follows similar declension patterns as усердный.

трудолюбивый (Adjective): Also declines like other adjectives; no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms:

• старательный (emphasizes effort and trying hard)
• ревностный (focuses on zeal or enthusiasm)

Antonyms:

• ленивый (lazy)
• небрежный (careless)

Related Phrases:

• усердно трудиться - to work diligently (used in formal or professional contexts)
• прилежно учиться - to study diligently (common in academic settings)
• трудолюбивый характер - diligent nature (describing someone's personality)

Usage Notes:

• While all three translations (усердный, прилежный, трудолюбивый) overlap in meaning, "прилежный" is most often associated with academic diligence, whereas "трудолюбивый" emphasizes a broader, inherent love for work.
• These terms are generally formal or neutral; they are less likely to appear in casual slang or very informal speech.
• Pay attention to adjective agreement in Russian sentences, as the form changes based on the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "усердный" for academic contexts exclusively. Incorrect: "Он усердный ученик" (sounds slightly off). Correct: "Он прилежный ученик" (more natural for students).
• Error: Forgetting adjective agreement. Incorrect: "Она усердный" (wrong gender). Correct: "Она усердная".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, diligence (especially трудолюбие) is highly valued as a personal and societal virtue, often tied to historical narratives of hard work and perseverance through challenges. Praising someone as "трудолюбивый" carries significant positive weight.

Related Concepts:

• старание (effort)
• упорство (perseverance)
• ответственность (responsibility)