Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'extraneous'

English Word: extraneous

Key Russian Translations:

• лишний (/ˈlʲiʂnʲij/) - [Informal/Formal, Adjective]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday and academic contexts, but not as frequent as basic adjectives).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective declensions and common vocabulary for learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

лишний: /ˈlʲiʂnʲij/ (The "ш" sound is a soft, retroflex fricative, similar to "sh" in "shesh" but softer.)

Note on лишний: Be careful with the soft "л" (palatalized), which is a common challenge for English speakers. Stress falls on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Unrelated or superfluous

Translation(s) & Context:

• лишний - Used in contexts where something is extra or not essential, such as in descriptions of objects or ideas. Common in both formal writing and informal speech.

Usage Examples:

• Эта информация лишняя для нашего отчета. (This information is extraneous for our report.)

  Translation: This information is extraneous for our report. (Context: Formal business or academic setting, showing how to describe irrelevant data.)

• В его речи было много лишних деталей. (In his speech, there were many extraneous details.)

  Translation: In his speech, there were many extraneous details. (Context: Everyday conversation, illustrating use in narrative descriptions.)

• Не трать время на лишние задачи. (Don't waste time on extraneous tasks.)

  Translation: Don't waste time on extraneous tasks. (Context: Informal advice, demonstrating imperative structures.)

• Лишний груз делает поездку сложнее. (Extraneous cargo makes the trip more difficult.)

  Translation: Extraneous cargo makes the trip more difficult. (Context: Practical scenarios, like travel or logistics.)

• В контракте нет лишних пунктов. (The contract has no extraneous clauses.)

  Translation: The contract has no extraneous clauses. (Context: Legal or formal agreements, emphasizing precision.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

лишний is an adjective in Russian, which follows standard first-declension patterns for adjectives. It changes based on gender, number, and case. Here's a breakdown:

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

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ненужный (nenuzhnyy) - Similar but emphasizes "unnecessary"; often used interchangeably in casual contexts.
  • чужой (chuzhoy) - Implies "foreign" or "alien," with a slight nuance of not belonging.
• Antonyms:
  • необходимый (neobkhodimyy) - Meaning "necessary" or "essential."
  • основной (osnovnoy) - Meaning "main" or "primary."

Related Phrases:

• лишний вес (lishniy ves) - Extra weight; often used in health or fitness contexts.
• лишние расходы (lishnie rashody) - Extraneous expenses; refers to unnecessary spending in financial discussions.
• убрать лишнее (ubrat' lishnee) - To remove the extraneous; a common phrase for decluttering or simplifying.

Usage Notes:

лишний directly corresponds to "extraneous" in English when describing something superfluous, but it's versatile in Russian and can apply to physical objects, ideas, or actions. Use it in formal contexts like business or academia, but it's also common informally. When choosing between translations, opt for лишний if the focus is on something being extra rather than completely unrelated. Grammatically, always decline it according to the noun it modifies to maintain agreement in gender, number, and case.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using лишний without proper declension, e.g., saying "лишний книга" instead of "лишняя книга" for feminine nouns.

  Correct: лишняя книга (extraneous book). Explanation: Russian adjectives must agree with the nouns they describe; this is a common mistake for English speakers who don't inflect adjectives.

• Error: Confusing it with чужой, leading to misuse in contexts of ownership.

  Correct: Use лишний for "extraneous" (e.g., extra items), not чужой (which means "foreign" or "someone else's"). Explanation: This can alter the meaning entirely, so context is key.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "лишний" often ties into the value of efficiency and minimalism, especially in literature and daily life. For instance, Russian proverbs like "Не бери лишнего" (Don't take what's extraneous) reflect a historical emphasis on practicality in harsh environments, encouraging users to appreciate the cultural nuance of avoiding waste.

Related Concepts:

• ненужный
• избыточный
• чужеродный