Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'entirely'

English Word: entirely

Key Russian Translations:

• полностью [pɐlˈnostʲju] - [Formal, commonly used in written and professional contexts]
• целиком [ˈt͡sɛlʲɪkəm] - [Informal, often in everyday spoken language]
• совсем [sɐˈvʲem] - [Informal, emphasizes completeness in emotional or emphatic contexts]

Frequency: High - These translations are commonly encountered in both spoken and written Russian, especially in modern media and conversations.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the basic usage, but mastering nuances requires practice with context; for 'полностью', it's A2 (Beginner) due to its straightforward nature, while 'целиком' and 'совсем' may lean towards B1.

Pronunciation (Russian):

полностью: [pɐlˈnostʲju]

целиком: [ˈt͡sɛlʲɪkəm]

совсем: [sɐˈvʲem]

Note on полностью: The stress is on the third syllable; be mindful of the soft 'тʲ' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning: Completely or fully, indicating something is whole or without exception.

Translation(s) & Context:

• полностью - Used in formal contexts, such as business or academic writing, to denote total completeness.
• целиком - Applied in informal settings, like casual conversations, to emphasize something as a whole unit.
• совсем - Often in emotional or colloquial contexts, stressing absolute degree, e.g., in expressions of surprise.

Usage Examples:

• Я полностью согласен с вашим мнением.

  I entirely agree with your opinion. (This example shows 'полностью' in a formal agreement context.)

• Мы посмотрели фильм целиком за один вечер.

  We watched the movie entirely in one evening. (Here, 'целиком' highlights the whole action in an informal narrative.)

• Дом совсем пустой после переезда.

  The house is entirely empty after the move. ('Совсем' adds an emphatic tone in everyday description.)

• Она полностью изменила свой стиль жизни.

  She entirely changed her lifestyle. (Demonstrates 'полностью' with verbs in personal development contexts.)

• Я купил яблоко целиком, без разрезания.

  I bought the apple entirely, without cutting it. (Illustrates 'целиком' in object descriptions.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adverbs, which do not undergo significant inflection in Russian. Adverbs like 'полностью', 'целиком', and 'совсем' remain unchanged across genders, numbers, and cases. However, they can modify nouns, verbs, or adjectives without alteration.

For completeness, here's a simple table outlining any potential contextual variations (though these are invariant):

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • абсолютно [ɐbsɐˈlutnə] - Similar to 'полностью' but more absolute in formal contexts.
  • вполне [vpolʲnʲe] - Less emphatic, used for 'entirely' in the sense of 'fully' or 'quite'.
• Antonyms:
  • частично [ˈt͡ʂastʲɪnə] - Indicates partiality, contrasting with full completeness.
  • немного [ˈnʲemnəɡə] - Means 'a little', opposing total extent.

Related Phrases:

• Целиком и полностью - Entirely and completely; used for emphasis in agreements or descriptions.
• Совсем не - Not at all; a common negation phrase implying total absence.
• Полностью готов - Entirely ready; often in contexts like preparations or events.

Usage Notes:

Choose 'полностью' for formal or precise contexts where 'entirely' needs to convey total completeness without emotional weight. 'Целиком' is ideal for informal, everyday situations emphasizing wholeness, such as describing objects or actions. 'Совсем' adds an emotional or intensifying layer, making it suitable for expressive language. Be cautious with word order in Russian sentences, as adverbs like these typically precede the verb they modify. For English learners, remember that Russian adverbs don't change form, unlike English adjectives, so focus on context to select the right translation.

Common Errors:

• Confusing 'полностью' with 'целиком': Learners might overuse 'полностью' in informal speech, making it sound overly formal. Correct usage: Use 'целиком' for casual talks, e.g., Incorrect: "Я полностью ел яблоко." (Wrong emphasis) Correct: "Я ел яблоко целиком."
• Misplacing the adverb: In Russian, adverbs should not end sentences awkwardly. Incorrect: "Я согласен совсем." (Sounds unnatural) Correct: "Я совсем согласен." Explanation: This ensures natural flow and proper emphasis.
• Overgeneralizing 'совсем': It can imply negation, so don't use it where 'entirely' means positive completeness. Incorrect: "Совсем счастлив" to mean 'entirely happy' (it might sound like 'completely unhappy' in context). Correct: Use 'полностью счастлив' for clarity.

Cultural Notes:

Words like 'полностью' and 'целиком' reflect Russian's emphasis on completeness and totality, often tied to the language's historical influences from Slavic roots. In Russian culture, expressing something as 'entirely' can underscore reliability or thoroughness, as seen in proverbs like "Делай всё целиком" (Do everything entirely), promoting full commitment in daily life.

Related Concepts:

• абсолютно
• вполне
• полностью и окончательно