Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'greatly'

English Word: greatly

Key Russian Translations:

• очень [ˈoʧənʲ] - [Informal, Everyday use]
• сильно [ˈslʲinə] - [Formal or emphatic contexts, such as in descriptions of intensity]

Frequency: High - "очень" and "сильно" are among the most commonly used adverbs in Russian everyday speech and writing.

Difficulty: A1 for "очень" (Beginner level, as it's a basic intensifier); B1 for "сильно" (Intermediate, due to its nuanced usage in more formal or specific contexts).

Pronunciation (Russian):

очень: [ˈoʧənʲ]

сильно: [ˈslʲinə]

Note on очень: The stress is on the first syllable; be mindful of the soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to its palatalization.

Note on сильно: Pronounce the 'л' softly, and the word may vary slightly in rapid speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

To a great extent (emphasizing degree or intensity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• очень - Used in casual, everyday situations to intensify adjectives, adverbs, or verbs, similar to "very" in English.
• сильно - Applied in more formal or emotional contexts to denote strong intensity, akin to "greatly" in expressions of emotion or physical force.

Usage Examples:

• Я очень рад услышать эту новость. (Ya ochen' rad uslyshat' etu novost'.)

  I am greatly pleased to hear this news. (Here, "очень" intensifies the adjective "рад" in a positive, informal context.)

• Эта погода сильно повлияла на наш план. (Eta pogoda sil'no povliala na nash plan.)

  This weather greatly affected our plan. (Demonstrates "сильно" in a formal context emphasizing impact.)

• Он очень устал после работы. (On ochen' ustal posle raboty.)

  He is greatly tired after work. (Shows "очень" with an adjective in daily life scenarios.)

• Сильно ли это поможет? (Sil'no li eto pomozhet?)

  Will this greatly help? (Illustrates "сильно" in a question, highlighting potential strong effects.)

• Она очень красиво поёт. (Ona ochen' krasivo poyot.)

  She sings greatly beautifully. (Emphasizes skill with "очень" modifying an adverb.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "очень" and "сильно" are adverbs in Russian and do not undergo inflection for gender, number, case, or tense, as is typical for most Russian adverbs. They remain invariant in all contexts.

For example:

Note: As invariant words, they simplify usage for learners, but context determines their appropriateness.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • чрезвычайно [ʧrʲezvʲiʧájnə] - Extremely (more emphatic than "очень", often in formal writing)
  • крайне [krajnʲe] - Utterly (used for extreme degrees, with subtle differences in intensity)
• Antonyms:
  • немного [nʲemənɡə] - A little (opposite of intensification)
  • слабо [slabə] - Weakly (antonym for "сильно" in contexts of strength)

Related Phrases:

• очень хорошо [ˈoʧənʲ xərɐʃə] - Very well (a common response or description of performance; used in everyday conversations to indicate satisfaction).
• сильно изменить [ˈslʲinə ɪzmʲenʲitʲ] - To greatly change (implies a significant alteration, often in formal or professional contexts).
• очень много [ˈoʧənʲ mɐnɐ] - Very much (a phrase for quantity, equivalent to "greatly" in expressions of abundance).

Usage Notes:

"Очень" is the most direct and versatile translation of "greatly" in informal settings, mirroring English's use as an intensifier. However, "сильно" is preferred when emphasizing physical or emotional strength, as it conveys a more forceful connotation. English learners should note that Russian adverbs like these do not change form, making them easier to use, but context is key—use "очень" for general amplification and "сильно" in scenarios involving impact or depth. For example, avoid overusing "очень" in formal writing where "сильно" might be more appropriate.

• Grammar tip: These adverbs typically precede the word they modify, similar to English.
• Choose between translations based on register: "очень" for casual speech, "сильно" for emphasis in narratives.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing "очень" with "сильно" and using "очень" in contexts requiring strong emphasis, e.g., saying "Я очень болен" (I am greatly sick) instead of "Я сильно болен" for a more intense meaning. Incorrect: "Очень болен" might sound understated; Correct: "Сильно болен" conveys greater severity. Another error is misplacing the adverb; in Russian, it should directly precede the modified word, unlike some flexible English structures.

Cultural Notes:

"Очень" is a neutral, everyday word in Russian culture, reflecting the language's emphasis on direct emotional expression. In Russian communication, intensifiers like this are used freely in social interactions, aligning with a cultural norm of being expressive, though in formal settings, understatement might be preferred to avoid appearing overly dramatic.

Related Concepts:

• много [ˈmɐnɡə]
• интенсивно [ɪntʲensʲivnə]
• крайний [krajnʲij]