Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'enormous'

English Word: enormous

Key Russian Translations:

• огромный /ɐˈɡrom.nɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal and Informal]

Frequency: High (This word is commonly used in everyday Russian to describe large sizes, appearing frequently in both spoken and written contexts.)

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Suitable for learners with basic vocabulary, as it follows standard adjective patterns, but requires understanding of Russian declensions.

Pronunciation (Russian):

огромный: /ɐˈɡrom.nɨj/

Note on огромный: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ɡrom/), which is a common challenge for English speakers due to the soft 'г' sound. Pronunciation can vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Very large in size, extent, or amount (e.g., describing physical objects, quantities, or abstract concepts).

Translation(s) & Context:

• огромный - Used in general contexts for emphasizing exceptional size, such as in descriptions of buildings, crowds, or ideas; applicable in both formal writing and informal conversation.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом огромный, и в нём легко поместится вся семья.

  This house is enormous, and the whole family can easily fit in it.

• Огромный толпа собралась на площади во время фестиваля.

  An enormous crowd gathered in the square during the festival.

• Её огромная коллекция книг занимает всю комнату.

  Her enormous collection of books takes up the entire room.

• В этом городе огромные возможности для бизнеса.

  In this city, there are enormous opportunities for business.

• Огромный дождь лил весь день, превращая улицы в реки.

  The enormous rain poured all day, turning the streets into rivers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Огромный" is an adjective in Russian and follows the standard pattern of first-declension adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Below is a table outlining its inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular and does not have irregular forms, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • большой (bol'shoy) - More general term for "big," often used interchangeably but implies less extremity.
  • гигантский (gigantskiy) - Emphasizes a massive or extraordinary scale, suitable for formal or descriptive contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • маленький (malen'kiy) - Directly opposite, meaning "small" or "little," used in everyday comparisons.
  • крошечный (kroshhechnyy) - Means "tiny" or "minuscule," highlighting extreme smallness.

Related Phrases:

• огромная сумма - Refers to "an enormous sum" of money, often used in financial or business contexts to denote a large amount.
• огромный успех - Means "enormous success," commonly in discussions of achievements or events.
• огромные расстояния - Translates to "enormous distances," typical in travel or geography-related conversations.

Usage Notes:

"Огромный" directly corresponds to "enormous" in English, emphasizing exaggeration in size or scale. It is versatile across formal and informal settings but is more common in descriptive narratives. When using it, ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case, as Russian adjectives must decline. For instance, choose this over synonyms like "большой" when the size is exceptionally large. If multiple translations exist, opt for "огромный" in neutral contexts, but consider "гигантский" for more dramatic effects.

• Always pair it with the appropriate noun to avoid ambiguity.
• In spoken Russian, it can be intensified with adverbs like "очень" (very) for added emphasis.

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to decline "огромный" correctly, such as using the masculine form with a feminine noun. For example:

• Error: *Этот книга огромный (incorrect, as "книга" is feminine).
• Correct: Этот книга огромная. - Explanation: Adjust the adjective to match the noun's gender and case to maintain grammatical agreement.
• Another common mistake is overusing it without context, which can sound unnatural; instead, reserve it for truly emphatic descriptions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "огромный" often reflect the vastness of Russia's geography, such as describing the "огромные просторы" (enormous expanses) of the countryside. This can evoke a sense of national pride or the challenges of scale in daily life, though it doesn't carry specific historical connotations beyond general usage.

Related Concepts:

• большой
• гигантский
• масштабный (masshtabnyy)