Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'durable'

English Word: durable

Key Russian Translations:

• прочный [ˈproʧnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used for physical durability]
• долговечный [dɐlɡɐˈvʲetʂnɨj] - [Formal, emphasizes long-lasting quality over time]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations appear regularly in everyday contexts like product descriptions, but not as frequently as basic adjectives.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Involves understanding adjective inflections and contexts; 'прочный' and 'долговечный' follow standard Russian adjective patterns, making them accessible with basic grammar knowledge.

Pronunciation (Russian):

прочный: [ˈproʧnɨj]

долговечный: [dɐlɡɐˈvʲetʂnɨj]

Note on прочный: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Note on долговечный: This word has a soft 'г' in some dialects, but standard pronunciation uses a hard 'г'; be mindful of the vowel shifts in inflected forms.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage over time (e.g., in the context of materials or products)

Translation(s) & Context:

• прочный - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing construction materials or everyday items that resist breaking.
• долговечный - Applied in contexts emphasizing longevity, like electronics or clothing that lasts for years.

Usage Examples:

• Этот материал очень прочный и не ломается при падении. (This material is very durable and doesn't break when dropped.)

  English Translation: This material is very durable and doesn't break when dropped.

• Купите долговечный телефон, чтобы он служил вам годы. (Buy a durable phone so it serves you for years.)

  English Translation: Buy a durable phone so it serves you for years.

• В России предпочитают прочный обувь для зимних условий. (In Russia, they prefer durable footwear for winter conditions.)

  English Translation: In Russia, they prefer durable footwear for winter conditions.

• Долговечный дизайн мебели делает её идеальной для семей с детьми. (The durable design of furniture makes it ideal for families with children.)

  English Translation: The durable design of furniture makes it ideal for families with children.

• Прочный мост выдерживает тяжелый транспорт круглый год. (The durable bridge withstands heavy traffic all year round.)

  English Translation: The durable bridge withstands heavy traffic all year round.

Meaning 2: Long-lasting in a metaphorical sense, such as relationships or ideas

Translation(s) & Context:

• долговечный - Often used in abstract contexts, like enduring friendships or stable policies.
• прочный - Less common here, but can apply to "strong" foundations in relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Их долговечный брак основан на взаимном уважении. (Their durable marriage is based on mutual respect.)

  English Translation: Their durable marriage is based on mutual respect.

• Прочный союз между странами способствует стабильности. (The durable alliance between countries promotes stability.)

  English Translation: The durable alliance between countries promotes stability.

• Долговечные традиции русской культуры передаются из поколения в поколение. (Durable traditions of Russian culture are passed down from generation to generation.)

  English Translation: Durable traditions of Russian culture are passed down from generation to generation.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'прочный' and 'долговечный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for most cases.

These adjectives are regular and do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners. Always ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крепкий (krepyy) - Similar to 'прочный', but often implies strength; used in casual contexts.
  • надёжный (nadezhnyy) - Emphasizes reliability, slightly more formal than 'долговечный'.
• Antonyms:
  • хрупкий (khrupkiy) - Fragile, opposite of physical durability.
  • недолговечный (nedolgovechnyy) - Short-lived, directly contrasting with 'долговечный'.

Related Phrases:

• Прочный материал (Prochnyy material) - Refers to a durable material, commonly used in manufacturing contexts.
• Долговечный продукт (Dolgovechnyy produkt) - Means a durable product, often in consumer reviews or advertising.
• Прочная связь (Prochnaya svyaz) - Implies a durable bond or connection, metaphorically in relationships.

Usage Notes:

'Прочный' is the most direct translation for 'durable' in physical contexts and is preferred in formal writing or technical discussions. 'Долговечный' is better for emphasizing longevity over immediate strength. English speakers should note that Russian adjectives must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which has no direct equivalent in English. Use 'прочный' in everyday scenarios like shopping, and 'долговечный' for long-term evaluations. In informal speech, synonyms like 'крепкий' might be more natural.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget adjective agreement, e.g., saying "прочный домa" instead of "прочный дом" (correct) or "прочная книга" for feminine nouns. Error: "Я купил прочный книга" (incorrect because 'книга' is feminine). Correct: "Я купил прочный книгу" should be "Я купил прочную книгу". Explanation: Always inflect the adjective to match the noun's gender and case.

• Confusing 'прочный' and 'долговечный': Learners might use 'прочный' for time-based durability, e.g., "прочный телефон для 10 лет" instead of "долговечный телефон для 10 лет". Error: Overgeneralizing one word. Correct: Choose based on context—strength vs. longevity.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of durability often tie into practicality and resilience, especially in harsh climates like Russia's winters. For instance, 'долговечный' products are highly valued in everyday life, reflecting a cultural emphasis on endurance and reliability in tools, clothing, and relationships, as seen in traditional folk tales where steadfastness is a heroic trait.

Related Concepts:

• качество (kachestvo) - Quality
• устойчивость (ustoichivost') - Stability or resilience
• надёжность (nadezhnost') - Reliability