Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'few'

English Word: few

Key Russian Translations:

• несколько (/nʲɪsˈkolʲkə/) - [Informal, used for a small, countable number, e.g., in everyday contexts]
• мало (/ˈmalə/) - [Formal or general, used for an insufficient or small quantity, often uncountable]

Frequency: High (commonly used in both spoken and written Russian in everyday conversations and texts).

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Elementary, as it involves basic quantifiers; for 'несколько', it's straightforward, but 'мало' may require understanding of context for Intermediate learners).

Pronunciation (Russian):

несколько: /nʲɪsˈkolʲkə/

мало: /ˈmalə/

Note on несколько: The initial 'н' is palatalized, which can be tricky for beginners; stress is on the second syllable. A soft sign (ь) affects the preceding consonant's pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A small number of countable items (e.g., 'a few books')

Translation(s) & Context:

• несколько - Used in informal contexts for approximate small quantities, such as listing items or in casual speech.
• мало - Less common for exact counts; used when emphasizing scarcity in more formal or descriptive contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У меня несколько книг на русском языке. (U menya neskol'ko knig na russkom yazyke.)

  English: I have a few books in Russian. (This example shows 'few' in a possessive context, highlighting countable nouns.)

• В магазине было несколько яблок, но они быстро закончились. (V magazine bylo neskol'ko yablok, no oni bystro zakonchilis'.)

  English: There were a few apples in the store, but they sold out quickly. (Demonstrates 'few' in a temporary situation with plural nouns.)

• Он сказал, что мало людей придет на встречу. (On skazal, chto malo lyudey pridet na vstrechu.)

  English: He said that few people will come to the meeting. (Illustrates 'few' in a predictive context, emphasizing insufficiency.)

• Несколько друзей помогли мне с переездом. (Neskol'ko druzey pomogli mne s pereyezdem.)

  English: A few friends helped me with the move. (Shows 'few' in a social, action-oriented sentence.)

• Мало времени осталось на подготовку. (Malo vremeni ostalos' na podgotovku.)

  English: There is little time left for preparation. (Extends to uncountable contexts, though 'few' typically applies to countables.)

Meaning 2: Indicating scarcity or insufficiency (e.g., 'few opportunities')

Translation(s) & Context:

• мало - Preferred in contexts of limitation or negative emphasis, often in formal writing or discussions.
• несколько - Used when specifying a small but positive number, avoiding strong negativity.

Usage Examples:

• В этом городе мало возможностей для молодых людей. (V etom gorode malo vozmozhnostey dlya molodykh lyudey.)

  English: In this city, there are few opportunities for young people. (Highlights scarcity in a broader social context.)

• Несколько ошибок в тексте могут испортить впечатление. (Neskol'ko oshibok v tekste mogut isportit' vpechatleniye.)

  English: A few errors in the text can ruin the impression. (Shows 'few' with negative implications but countable items.)

• Мало кто понимает эту проблему. (Malo kto ponimaet etu problemu.)

  English: Few people understand this problem. (Emphasizes rarity in understanding.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Несколько' is an adverb and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts, making it simple for learners.

'Мало' functions as an adverb or adjective and has limited inflections. As an adjective, it can vary by gender, number, and case, but it's often used invariantly in modern Russian.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • немного (nemnogo) - Similar to 'few' but often for smaller quantities; more neutral in tone.
  • кое-что (koye-chto) - Informal, implying a vague small amount.
• Antonyms:
  • много (mnogo) - Many, opposite of scarcity.
  • несколько десятков (neskol'ko desyatkov) - Several tens, for larger quantities.

Related Phrases:

• Несколько раз (neskol'ko raz) - A few times; used for repetition in daily routines.
• Мало времени (malo vremeni) - Little time; common in expressions of urgency or scheduling.
• Мало кто знает (malo kto znayet) - Few people know; implies exclusivity or rarity of knowledge.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'few' is best translated as 'несколько' for countable, positive small numbers, while 'мало' suits uncountable or negative contexts. Choose based on formality: 'несколько' is versatile for everyday use, but 'мало' may sound more emphatic in formal writing. Be mindful of word order; Russian often places quantifiers before the noun, e.g., 'несколько книг' instead of reversing as in English. This helps avoid awkward phrasing for English speakers.

• Grammar tip: 'Несколько' doesn't agree with nouns, making it easier, whereas 'мало' might imply adjectival agreement in some cases.
• Context guidance: Use 'мало' when emphasizing lack, as in complaints or analyses, to match the subtle negativity of English 'few'.

Common Errors:

• Overusing 'мало' for countable nouns: Error - "Мало книги" (incorrect); Correct - "Несколько книг" or "Мало книг" (if emphasizing scarcity). Explanation: 'Мало' works for plurals but can confuse learners who treat it like an English adjective without context.
• Confusing with 'мало' vs. 'немного': Error - Using 'мало' interchangeably with 'немного'; Correct - 'Немного' is softer for very small amounts. Explanation: This leads to tonal mismatches in speech, as 'мало' sounds more negative.
• Neglecting word order: Error - "Книги несколько" (awkward); Correct - "Несколько книг". Explanation: Russian requires quantifiers first for natural flow, unlike flexible English structures.

Cultural Notes:

Quantifiers like 'few' in Russian often reflect a cultural emphasis on precision in communication, especially in Slavic contexts. For instance, 'мало' might carry a subtle implication of dissatisfaction, common in Russian literature or daily expressions of realism, as seen in works by authors like Chekhov who highlight life's limitations.

Related Concepts:

• много (mnogo)
• сколько (skol'ko)
• немного (nemnogo)