Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'durability'

English Word: durability

Key Russian Translations:

• прочность [ˈproʧnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Technical]
• долговечность [dɐlɡɐˈvʲeʧnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Everyday use for long-lasting items]

Frequency: Medium (Common in technical, engineering, and everyday product descriptions, but not as frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and technical vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

прочность: [ˈproʧnəsʲtʲ]

Note on прочность: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ч' is pronounced as a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch' in Scottish English. Be cautious of the soft sign 'ь' at the end, which palatalizes the preceding consonant.

долговечность: [dɐlɡɐˈvʲeʧnəsʲtʲ]

Note on долговечность: Stress is on the third syllable. The word features a sequence of consonants that may be challenging for beginners; practice breaking it into syllables for clarity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The ability of an object or material to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прочность - Used in technical or scientific contexts, such as engineering or material testing, to emphasize strength and resistance.
• долговечность - Applied in everyday contexts, like discussing product longevity or consumer goods, focusing on extended lifespan.

Usage Examples:

• Эта машина известна своей высокой прочностью и надежностью в экстремальных условиях.

  This car is known for its high durability and reliability in extreme conditions.

• Прочность материалов в строительстве напрямую влияет на безопасность зданий.

  The durability of materials in construction directly affects the safety of buildings.

• Долговечность этой ткани делает ее идеальной для повседневной одежды.

  The durability of this fabric makes it ideal for everyday clothing.

• Из-за низкой долговечности гаджета, производитель предложил замену.

  Due to the low durability of the gadget, the manufacturer offered a replacement.

• В тестировании мы оценили прочность продукта под воздействием влаги и температуры.

  In testing, we assessed the durability of the product under the influence of moisture and temperature.

2. In a metaphorical sense, the endurance or staying power of abstract concepts like relationships or ideas.

Translation(s) & Context:

• прочность - Used metaphorically in psychological or social contexts to describe resilience, e.g., in relationships.
• долговечность - Less common metaphorically, but can apply to long-term stability in ideas or traditions.

Usage Examples:

• Прочность их дружбы проверена годами трудностей.

  The durability of their friendship has been tested by years of hardships.

• Долговечность традиций в русской культуре сохраняется через поколения.

  The durability of traditions in Russian culture is maintained through generations.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "прочность" and "долговечность" are feminine nouns (third declension in Russian). They follow standard patterns for abstract nouns and inflect based on case, number, and gender. "Прочность" is invariant in the plural form as it's typically used in singular contexts.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular inflections but require attention to the soft sign ('ь') in certain cases, which affects pronunciation.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • стойкость (stoikost') - Emphasizes resistance to external forces; often used interchangeably with прочность in technical contexts.
  • износостойкость (iznosostoykost') - Focuses on wear resistance, with a nuance towards everyday durability.
• Antonyms:
  • хрупкость (khrupkost') - Fragility or brittleness.
  • непрочность (neprochnost') - Lack of strength, directly opposing прочность.

Related Phrases:

• Высокая прочность - High durability; used in product descriptions to highlight quality.
• Долговечность материалов - Durability of materials; common in engineering discussions.
• Потеря прочности - Loss of durability; refers to degradation over time.

Usage Notes:

Choose "прочность" for contexts emphasizing physical strength, such as in manufacturing or science, as it directly aligns with the English "durability" in technical settings. "Долговечность" is better for everyday or consumer-oriented discussions, focusing on longevity rather than immediate resistance. Be mindful of grammatical gender (feminine) when using these in sentences, and always decline them according to the case required. In formal writing, pair with adjectives like "высокая" for precision.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "прочность" with "стойкость": Learners might use "стойкость" when "прочность" is more appropriate for material endurance. Error: "Эта ткань имеет высокую стойкость" (implying emotional resilience). Correct: "Эта ткань имеет высокую прочность" (for physical durability). Explanation: "Стойкость" often connotes mental or emotional endurance, so context matters.

• Incorrect declension: Forgetting to change the ending in genitive case, e.g., saying "без прочность" instead of "без прочности". Error: "Проверка прочность" (incorrect). Correct: "Проверка прочности" (genitive case). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case, so always adjust based on sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like "прочность" are often linked to historical resilience, such as in literature or folklore where endurance symbolizes national strength (e.g., in works by Tolstoy, where characters' "durability" reflects societal hardships). This adds a layer of metaphorical depth, making it a valued trait in Russian proverbs and daily discourse.

Related Concepts:

• качество (kachestvo) - Quality
• надёжность (nadezhnost') - Reliability
• износ (iznos) - Wear and tear