Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'extent'

English Word: extent

Key Russian Translations:

• степень [sʲtʲɪˈpʲenʲ] - [Formal; used for abstract degrees or levels]
• объем [ɐˈbʲjem] - [Formal; used for physical or measurable scope]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, scientific, and everyday discussions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'степень', it's straightforward once basic grammar is learned, while 'объем' may vary slightly in nuance).

Pronunciation (Russian):

степень: [sʲtʲɪˈpʲenʲ] (Note on степень: The soft 'sʲ' sound is a palatalized 's', which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the second syllable.)

объем: [ɐˈbʲjem] (Note on объем: The 'bʲ' is a palatalized 'b', and the stress is on the second syllable; pronounce with a clear, open vowel.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. The degree or level to which something exists or is true

Translation(s) & Context:

• степень - Used in formal or academic contexts to indicate an abstract level or extent, such as in opinions or measurements.
• объем - Used when referring to the magnitude or scope in a more concrete, quantifiable sense, like in economics or science.

Usage Examples:

• До какой степени вы согласны с этим утверждением?

  To what extent do you agree with this statement?

• Степень его участия в проекте была минимальной.

  The extent of his involvement in the project was minimal.

• Объем необходимых изменений оказался больше, чем ожидалось.

  The extent of the necessary changes turned out to be greater than expected.

• В какой степени это повлияет на экономику?

  To what extent will this affect the economy?

• Степень опасности оценивается как высокая.

  The extent of the danger is assessed as high.

2. The physical size, scope, or area

Translation(s) & Context:

• объем - Preferred in contexts involving physical measurements, such as geography or volume.
• степень - Less common here, but used metaphorically for extent in space.

Usage Examples:

• Объем территории России впечатляет.

  The extent of Russia's territory is impressive.

• Степень распространения лесных пожаров увеличилась за лето.

  The extent of the forest fires spread increased over the summer.

• Объем озера уменьшился из-за засухи.

  The extent of the lake decreased due to drought.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'степень' and 'объем' are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. 'Степень' is a third-declension noun with irregular forms in some cases, while 'объем' is more regular. Below is a table for their nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, instrumental, and prepositional forms in singular and plural.

Note: These nouns do not change in gender or number irregularly, but always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • степень: мера (mera) - Similar but often implies a unit of measurement; used in technical contexts.
  • объем: масштаб (masshtab) - Emphasizes scale; more common in artistic or broad discussions.
• Antonyms:
  • степень: минимум (minimum) - Indicates the opposite, a low degree.
  • объем: ограничение (ogranichenie) - Suggests a restriction or limit to extent.

Related Phrases:

• В какой степени - To what extent; used in questions about level or impact.
• Полный объем - Full extent; implies comprehensive scope.
• Степень риска - Degree of risk; common in safety or financial contexts.
• Объем работы - Extent of work; refers to the scale of tasks.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'степень' is often the best match for 'extent' when dealing with abstract concepts like opinions or intensities, while 'объем' fits better for tangible measurements. Be mindful of context: in formal writing or speech, these words require correct case agreement with surrounding words. For English speakers, remember that Russian nouns decline, so 'extent' might change form in sentences (e.g., 'of the extent' becomes genitive). When choosing between translations, opt for 'степень' in philosophical or evaluative contexts and 'объем' in scientific ones to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Using 'степень' interchangeably with 'объем' without considering context: For example, learners might say "Объем вашего согласия" (incorrect for "extent of your agreement"), when it should be "Степень вашего согласия". Correct: The latter is more appropriate for abstract agreement. Explanation: 'Объем' implies physicality, leading to confusion in non-tangible scenarios.

• Forgetting declension: Saying "В степень проекта" (incorrect) instead of "В степени проекта" (genitive). Correct: Always decline based on case, as in "The extent of the project" requires genitive form. Explanation: This is a common mistake for English speakers unused to inflection, making sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'степень' often appear in discussions of intellectual or philosophical depth, reflecting Russia's emphasis on literature and debate (e.g., in Dostoevsky's works). 'Объем' might relate to Russia's vast geography, where concepts of scale are integral to national identity, such as describing the "extent" of Siberia's landscapes.

Related Concepts:

• уровень (uroven') - Level
• масштаб (masshtab) - Scale
• предел (predel) - Limit