Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'distant'

English Word: distant

Key Russian Translations:

• Далекий [dɐˈlʲɵkʲɪj] - [Informal; Adjective, commonly used for physical or emotional distance]
• Отдалённый [ɐt.dɐˈlʲon.nɨj] - [Formal; Adjective, often used in contexts involving time, relationships, or abstract distance]

Frequency: Medium (The word and its translations are encountered in everyday Russian conversation, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic spatial terms like "близкий" for "close".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; Learners at this level can grasp basic adjective forms and usage, but mastering inflections and contextual nuances may require practice. For "Отдалённый", it might lean towards B2 due to its more formal connotations.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Далекий: [dɐˈlʲɵkʲɪj]

Note on Далекий: The stress falls on the second syllable ("lʲɵ"), and the "лʲ" sound is a palatalized "l", which can be challenging for English speakers. Pronounce it with a soft, almost "ly" quality.

Отдалённый: [ɐt.dɐˈlʲon.nɨj]

Note on Отдалённый: This word has a rolling rhythm with stress on the third syllable ("lʲon"). The "нн" is doubled for emphasis, indicating a longer "n" sound, common in formal Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Spatial or Physical Distance

Translation(s) & Context:

• Далекий - Used in everyday contexts to describe objects or places that are far away, e.g., in travel or geography descriptions.
• Отдалённый - Applied in more formal or literary settings for distant locations, emphasizing separation over mere distance.

Usage Examples:

• Русский город выглядел далеким на горизонте. (The Russian city looked distant on the horizon.)

  English Translation: The Russian city looked distant on the horizon.

• Эта звезда кажется очень далекой от Земли. (This star seems very distant from Earth.)

  English Translation: This star seems very distant from Earth.

• В отдалённом районе Сибири люди живут в суровых условиях. (In a distant region of Siberia, people live in harsh conditions.)

  English Translation: In a distant region of Siberia, people live in harsh conditions.

• Далекий шум волн успокаивал нас на пляже. (The distant sound of waves calmed us on the beach.)

  English Translation: The distant sound of waves calmed us on the beach.

• Отдалённый остров был доступен только на лодке. (The distant island was accessible only by boat.)

  English Translation: The distant island was accessible only by boat.

Emotional or Temporal Distance

Translation(s) & Context:

• Далекий - Informal for emotional remoteness or past events that feel far away.
• Отдалённый - Formal, often for historical or relational distance, implying a sense of detachment.

Usage Examples:

• Его далекий взгляд указывал на глубокую грусть. (His distant gaze indicated deep sadness.)

  English Translation: His distant gaze indicated deep sadness.

• Отдалённые воспоминания детства иногда возвращаются. (Distant memories of childhood sometimes return.)

  English Translation: Distant memories of childhood sometimes return.

• Далекий родственник приехал навестить нас. (A distant relative came to visit us.)

  English Translation: A distant relative came to visit us.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "Далекий" and "Отдалённый" are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most cases, but they can be irregular in certain forms. Below is a table for "Далекий" as an example; "Отдалённый" follows similar rules but with slight variations in spelling.

For "Отдалённый", it is largely invariable in pattern but may drop the stress in some forms, e.g., "Отдалённая". These adjectives do not change in short form usage in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Дальний (Dalniy) - Similar to "Далекий" but often used for longer distances; more neutral.
  • Удалившийся (Udalivshiysya) - Implies something that has moved away, with a dynamic connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • Близкий (Blizkiy) - Close in space or emotionally.
  • Непосредственный (Neposredstvennyy) - Immediate or direct, contrasting with temporal distance.

Related Phrases:

• Далекий уголок (Dalyokiy ugolok) - A distant corner; often used metaphorically for remote places. (Refers to secluded or faraway areas, like in travel literature.)
• Отдалённые края (Udalyonnyye kraya) - Distant lands; a phrase for exotic or far-off regions. (Common in stories or discussions about exploration.)
• Далекий звон (Dalyokiy zvon) - Distant ring or sound; used for auditory distance in poetic contexts. (Implies something faint and evocative.)

Usage Notes:

"Далекий" is the most straightforward translation for "distant" in informal settings, aligning closely with everyday English usage for physical space. However, "Отдалённый" is preferred in formal or written Russian to convey a sense of emotional or temporal remove, similar to "remote" in English. Be mindful of gender and case agreements, as Russian adjectives must match the noun they modify. For learners, choose "Далекий" in casual speech and "Отдалённый" in academic or professional contexts to avoid sounding overly literal.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "Далекий" in formal writing without proper inflection, e.g., saying "в далекий город" instead of "в далёкий город" (correct for nominative). Correct: в далёкий город. Explanation: Russian adjectives require case agreement; this error stems from English's lack of inflections, leading to confusion in prepositional phrases.
• Mistake: Confusing "Далекий" with "Дальний" and using them interchangeably. Correct: Use "Дальний" for inherently far places (e.g., "Дальний Восток" for Far East), while "Далекий" is for perceived distance. Explanation: Subtle differences in connotation can make sentences sound unnatural if swapped.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "Далекий" often evoke themes of vast landscapes, such as the Siberian wilderness or the endless steppes, reflecting Russia's historical narrative of exploration and isolation. For instance, in literature by authors like Tolstoy, "distant" elements symbolize emotional alienation or the passage of time, adding a layer of introspection common in Slavic storytelling.

Related Concepts:

• Близкий (Blizkiy)
• Уединённый (Uedinyonnyy)
• Изолированный (Izolirovannyy)