Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'extremity'

English Word: extremity

Key Russian Translations:

• конечность /kɐˈnʲet͡ɕnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Anatomical context]
• крайность /krɐˈjnostʲ/ - [Abstract context, such as extremes in opinions]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate level for "конечность" due to its noun declensions; C1 for "крайность" as it involves nuanced abstract concepts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

конечность: /kɐˈnʲet͡ɕnəsʲtʲ/

крайность: /krɐˈjnostʲ/

Note on конечность: The stress falls on the third syllable; be cautious with the palatalized 'нʲ' sound, which is a common challenge for English speakers. Pronunciation may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Anatomical extremity (e.g., the end of a limb)

Translation(s) & Context:

• конечность - Used in formal medical or biological contexts, such as describing body parts.

Usage Examples:

• Врачи осмотрели конечности пациента на наличие переломов. (Doctors examined the patient's extremities for fractures.)

  English Translation: Doctors examined the patient's extremities for fractures.

• Человек имеет четыре конечности, которые помогают в движении. (A human has four extremities that aid in movement.)

  English Translation: A human has four extremities that aid in movement.

• При низких температурах нужно защищать конечности от обморожения. (At low temperatures, one must protect the extremities from frostbite.)

  English Translation: At low temperatures, one must protect the extremities from frostbite.

• Анатомия конечностей включает кости, мышцы и суставы. (The anatomy of extremities includes bones, muscles, and joints.)

  English Translation: The anatomy of extremities includes bones, muscles, and joints.

Meaning 2: Abstract extremity (e.g., an extreme point or condition)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крайность - Used in philosophical, emotional, or situational contexts to denote extremes.

Usage Examples:

• В политике крайности часто приводят к конфликтам. (In politics, extremities often lead to conflicts.)

  English Translation: In politics, extremities often lead to conflicts.

• Избегайте крайностей в диете, чтобы сохранить здоровье. (Avoid extremities in your diet to maintain health.)

  English Translation: Avoid extremities in your diet to maintain health.

• Крайность его взглядов сделала его изгоем в обществе. (The extremity of his views made him an outcast in society.)

  English Translation: The extremity of his views made him an outcast in society.

• В науке крайности помогают понять границы возможностей. (In science, extremities help understand the limits of possibilities.)

  English Translation: In science, extremities help understand the limits of possibilities.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns. "Конечность" is a feminine noun (3rd declension), which follows regular patterns but has irregularities in certain cases. "Крайность" is also a feminine noun with standard declensions.

Note: These words do not have irregular forms but must agree with adjectives and verbs in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • конечность: часть тела (part of the body) - More general term for body segments.
  • крайность: экстремум (extremum) - Used in mathematical or precise contexts; slightly more formal.
• Antonyms:
  • конечность: туловище (torso) - Refers to the central body part.
  • крайность: умеренность (moderation) - Implies balance or avoidance of extremes.

Related Phrases:

• Верхние конечности (Upper extremities) - Refers to arms; commonly used in medical contexts.
• Нижние конечности (Lower extremities) - Refers to legs; essential in anatomy and fitness discussions.
• Дойти до крайности (To go to extremes) - An idiomatic expression meaning to take something to an unreasonable level; implies overreaction.

Usage Notes:

"Extremity" corresponds most directly to "конечность" in anatomical contexts, where it denotes physical limbs, but English users should note that Russian requires precise case agreement (e.g., genitive for possession). For abstract uses, "крайность" is preferred and carries a connotation of intensity or imbalance. Choose based on context: formal for anatomy, philosophical for abstracts. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, consider the sentence structure to ensure natural flow in Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "конечность" without proper declension, e.g., saying "Я имею боль в конечность" instead of "Я имею боль в конечности" (genitive case for location of pain).
  Correct: "Я имею боль в конечности." Explanation: Russian nouns must change form based on their role in the sentence; English speakers often overlook this.
• Error: Confusing "крайность" with "конечность" in abstract contexts, e.g., using "конечность" to mean "extreme opinion."
  Correct: Use "крайность" for abstracts. Explanation: This mix-up can lead to misunderstandings, as "конечность" is strictly physical.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like "конечности" are heavily used in literature and folklore to describe human resilience, such as in stories where characters endure harsh conditions affecting their extremities (e.g., in winter survival tales). "Крайность" often reflects Russia's historical emphasis on extremes in ideology, as seen in 19th-century literature by authors like Dostoevsky, where moral extremities drive character development.

Related Concepts:

• сустав (joint)
• мышца (muscle)
• экстремум (extremum)
• умеренность (moderation)