Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'duration'

English Word: duration

Key Russian Translations:

• Продолжительность (/prəˌdɐlʐɨˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ/) - [Formal, used in scientific or technical contexts]
• Длительность (/dlʲɪˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ/) - [Formal, often in everyday or educational discussions]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in formal writing, academic texts, and professional settings, but less frequent in casual conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate, as it involves understanding noun declensions and context-specific usage; for 'Продолжительность', B2; for 'Длительность', also B2 due to similar grammatical features)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Продолжительность: /prəˌdɐlʐɨˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on Продолжительность: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('telʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft consonants. Pronounce it with a rolling 'r' and soft 'l' sound.

Длительность: /dlʲɪˈtʲelʲnəsʲtʲ/

Note on Длительность: The initial 'Дл' cluster may sound abrupt; emphasize the 'лʲ' as a soft 'l'. Common regional variations in stress exist in spoken Russian.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The length of time that something continues or lasts

Translation(s) & Context:

• Продолжительность - Used in formal contexts like scientific reports or legal documents to denote the exact span of time, e.g., in physics or event planning.
• Длительность - Applied in more general or educational settings, such as describing the duration of a course or a historical period.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Продолжительность фильма составила два часа. (The duration of the movie was two hours.)

  English Translation: The duration of the movie was two hours.

• Русский пример: Длительность поездки в Москву зависит от трафика. (The duration of the trip to Moscow depends on traffic.)

  English Translation: The duration of the trip to Moscow depends on traffic.

• Русский пример: В контракте указана продолжительность контракта в пять лет. (The contract specifies the duration of five years.)

  English Translation: The contract specifies the duration of five years.

• Русский пример: Из-за дождя увеличилась длительность прогулки. (Due to the rain, the duration of the walk increased.)

  English Translation: Due to the rain, the duration of the walk increased.

• Русский пример: Продолжительность жизни в этой стране выросла за последние годы. (The duration of life in this country has increased in recent years.)

  English Translation: The duration of life in this country has increased in recent years.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Продолжительность' and 'Длительность' are feminine nouns in Russian, following the standard first declension pattern. They change based on case, number, and gender agreements. These words are invariable in terms of plural forms in most contexts but must agree in case with other elements in the sentence.

Note: These nouns do not have irregular forms but require attention to the soft endings in instrumental case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: Длительность (very similar, often interchangeable), Период (period, with a slight nuance of a defined interval), Время (time, more general)
• Explanation: 'Длительность' is a close synonym to 'Продолжительность' but may imply a more prolonged aspect in casual contexts.
• Antonyms: Краткость (briefness, shortness), Мгновенность (instantaneity)

Related Phrases:

• Продолжительность жизни - (Lifespan; refers to the average length of life in a population or organism.)
• Длительность работы - (Duration of work; used in contexts like employment contracts or project timelines.)
• Продолжительность сна - (Duration of sleep; common in health and psychology discussions.)

Usage Notes:

'Продолжительность' and 'Длительность' both correspond closely to 'duration' in English, but 'Продолжительность' is preferred in more formal or technical English equivalents, while 'Длительность' suits everyday contexts. Always consider the grammatical case in Russian sentences; for example, use the genitive case after prepositions like 'в течение' (during). English learners should note that Russian often requires explicit article agreements, which can affect word choice between these translations.

• Choose 'Продолжительность' for scientific precision and 'Длительность' for general descriptions.
• In spoken Russian, these words are neutral but may sound overly formal in casual chat; opt for simpler phrases like 'сколько времени' (how much time) in informal settings.

Common Errors:

One common error is confusing 'Продолжительность' with 'Продолжение' (continuation), leading to misuse in time-related contexts. For example:

• Incorrect: Продолжение фильма была два часа. (Wrong: This uses 'Продолжение' which means 'sequel' or 'continuation', not duration.)
• Correct: Продолжительность фильма была два часа. (Right: Uses the proper word for duration.)
• Explanation: English speakers might over-literalize from 'continue', but in Russian, 'Продолжительность' specifically denotes length of time, not the act of continuing.

Another error is failing to decline the noun correctly, e.g., using nominative in all cases.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts like 'продолжительность жизни' (lifespan) are often tied to discussions of national health and history, influenced by events like the Soviet era's emphasis on longevity through state programs. This reflects a broader cultural value on endurance and historical continuity, where time is viewed as a measurable resource in literature and daily life.

Related Concepts:

• Время (Time)
• Период (Period)
• Интервал (Interval)