Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'excessively'

English Word: excessively

Key Russian Translations:

• слишком [ˈslʲiʂkəm] - [Informal, commonly used in everyday speech]
• чрезвычайно [t͡ɕrʲɪzˈzvaɪnə] - [Formal, for more emphatic or official contexts]
• излишне [ɪˈzliʂnʲe] - [Neutral, often in written or analytical language]

Frequency: High (The word 'слишком' is one of the most common adverbs in Russian, appearing frequently in both spoken and written language; 'чрезвычайно' and 'излишне' are Medium frequency in formal contexts.)

Difficulty: A2 for 'слишком' (Beginner level, as it's straightforward and widely used); B1 for 'чрезвычайно' and 'излишне' (Intermediate, requiring more vocabulary awareness and context understanding).

Pronunciation (Russian):

слишком: [ˈslʲiʂkəm]

чрезвычайно: [t͡ɕrʲɪzˈzvaɪnə]

излишне: [ɪˈzliʂnʲe]

Note on слшком: The 'ш' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh' which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the first syllable is key for natural flow.

Note on чрезвычайно: Pronounce the 'ч' as a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to 'ch' in 'loch'; this word has a more emphatic tone in speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To a greater degree than is necessary or desirable (e.g., indicating excess in quantity, intensity, or behavior)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слишком - Used in informal, everyday situations to express something is beyond the norm, such as in casual conversations about habits or emotions.
• чрезвычайно - Applied in formal or emphatic contexts, like professional discussions or literature, to denote extreme excess.
• излишне - Often used in neutral or analytical settings, such as critiques or reports, to point out unnecessary elements.

Usage Examples:

• Он слишком много ест, что вредно для здоровья.

  He eats excessively, which is harmful to his health. (This example shows 'слишком' in a health-related context, modifying an adverb for emphasis.)

• Эта чрезвычайно длинная лекция утомила всех слушателей.

  This excessively long lecture tired all the listeners. (Here, 'чрезвычайно' is used in a formal educational setting to highlight extreme duration.)

• Излишне яркий свет в комнате мешает работе.

  The excessively bright light in the room hinders work. (This demonstrates 'излишне' in a practical, everyday scenario involving sensory overload.)

• Она слишком эмоционально отреагировала на критику.

  She reacted excessively emotionally to the criticism. (Illustrates 'слишком' in an interpersonal context, showing emotional excess.)

Meaning 2: Beyond what is reasonable or moderate (e.g., in moral or ethical judgments)

Translation(s) & Context:

• слишком - Informal contexts, like personal opinions or casual advice.
• чрезвычайно - Formal ethical discussions, such as in philosophy or law.

Usage Examples:

• Не будь слишком строгим к себе в таких ситуациях.

  Don't be excessively strict with yourself in such situations. (Uses 'слишком' to advise on self-behavior.)

• Его чрезвычайно жестокое решение шокировало общественность.

  His excessively cruel decision shocked the public. (Employs 'чрезвычайно' in a societal or news context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adverbs, which in Russian do not undergo significant inflection changes like nouns or verbs. Adverbs like 'слишком', 'чрезвычайно', and 'излишне' remain invariant in form across contexts (e.g., no changes for gender, number, case, or tense). However, they can be modified by other words or used in different syntactic positions for emphasis.

For completeness, here's a simple table illustrating potential usage variations, though no true inflections apply:

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чрезмерно (more formal, emphasizing overabundance)
  • преизбыточно (rare, for extreme excess in quantitative contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • недостаточно (not enough, indicating insufficiency)
  • умеренно (moderately, suggesting balance)

Related Phrases:

• слишком поздно - Too late (Used in time-sensitive situations, e.g., missing an opportunity.)
• чрезвычайно важно - Excessively important (Emphasizes critical significance in formal discussions.)
• излишне детально - Excessively detailed (Common in analytical or professional contexts, implying over-elaboration.)

Usage Notes:

'Слишком' is the most direct equivalent to 'excessively' in informal English-Russian translation and is versatile for daily use, but it can sound casual. Opt for 'чрезвычайно' in formal writing or speeches to convey a stronger, more polished tone. 'Излишне' is ideal for objective descriptions, such as in critiques. Remember that Russian adverbs like these typically precede the word they modify, similar to English, but placement can affect emphasis. When choosing among translations, consider the context's formality and intensity to ensure natural expression.

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'слишком' with 'очень' (very), thinking they are interchangeable. Error: Using 'очень много' instead of 'слишком много' to mean 'excessively much'. Correct: 'Слишком много' implies negative excess, while 'очень много' is neutral. Explanation: This can lead to understatement; always assess the connotation of excess.

• Misplacing the adverb in a sentence, e.g., saying 'Много слишком ест он' instead of 'Он слишком много ест'. Correct: Follow standard Russian word order for clarity. Explanation: Russian syntax prioritizes subject-verb-adverb for natural flow, unlike flexible English structures.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'слишком' often reflect a societal emphasis on moderation and balance, rooted in historical influences from Orthodox traditions and Soviet-era pragmatism. For instance, using 'слишком' in daily conversations can subtly critique consumerism or excess, aligning with cultural values that prioritize communal harmony over individualism.

Related Concepts:

• много (much)
• превышать (to exceed)
• избыток (surplus)