Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grueling'

English Word: grueling

Key Russian Translations:

• изнурительный [/ɪznʊˈtʲilʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/] - [Formal, used in descriptive contexts for extreme exhaustion]
• утомительный [/ʊtɐˈmʲitʲɪlʲnɨj/] - [Informal, often for everyday tiring situations]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in literature, journalism, and everyday speech when describing demanding activities, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of Russian adjective forms and nuances, though "изнурительный" is straightforward for learners familiar with basic vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

изнурительный: [/ɪznʊˈtʲilʲɪtʲɪlʲnɨj/] (Stress on the fourth syllable; note the soft 'т' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers due to the palatalization.)

утомительный: [/ʊtɐˈmʲitʲɪlʲnɨj/] (Stress on the third syllable; the 'мʲ' indicates a soft 'm', common in Russian but less intuitive for beginners.)

Note on изнурительный: This word features a rolling 'р' and palatalized consonants, which may vary slightly in rapid speech; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Extremely tiring, demanding, or exhausting (often describing physical or mental exertion)

Translation(s) & Context:

• изнурительный - Used in formal or literary contexts to emphasize severe fatigue, such as in work or sports (e.g., a grueling marathon).
• утомительный - Applied in informal settings for something persistently tiring, like a long meeting (less intense than изнурительный).

Usage Examples:

• Эта изнурительная работа требует полной концентрации и выносливости.

  This grueling work requires full concentration and endurance.

• Изнурительный марафон оставил участников в полном изнеможении.

  The grueling marathon left the participants completely exhausted.

• Утомительный день в офисе сделал его совершенно истощенным.

  The grueling day at the office left him completely drained.

• Изнурительные тренировки помогли ей подготовиться к соревнованиям.

  The grueling workouts helped her prepare for the competition.

• Этот утомительный проект наконец подошел к концу, но он был настоящим испытанием.

  This grueling project finally came to an end, but it was a real test.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "изнурительный" and "утомительный" are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. They follow the standard first-declension adjective pattern, with no irregularities. Below is a table for "изнурительный" as an example; "утомительный" follows the same structure.

For "утомительный," simply replace the root as needed. These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without additional suffixes (e.g., изнурительнее for comparative).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • утомительный (similar but less intense, often for mental fatigue)
  • тяжелый (heavy or burdensome, with a broader physical connotation)
  • мучительный (tormenting, implying emotional or psychological strain)
• Antonyms:
  • легкий (easy or light, contrasting with physical demands)
  • приятный (pleasant, opposing the exhausting nature)

Related Phrases:

• изнурительная работа - A grueling job (used for demanding employment that leads to exhaustion).
• утомительный процесс - A grueling process (refers to lengthy, tiring procedures, e.g., bureaucratic ones).
• изнурительные условия - Grueling conditions (describes harsh environments, like extreme weather or labor settings).

Usage Notes:

"Grueling" translates most accurately to "изнурительный" in formal contexts where extreme physical or mental strain is implied, such as sports or professional challenges. "Утомительный" is better for everyday, less severe situations. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and case agreements; for example, always adjust the adjective to match the noun it describes. When choosing between translations, consider the intensity: "изнурительный" conveys a higher level of exhaustion. In spoken Russian, these words are common in narratives but less so in casual chit-chat.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "изнурительный" interchangeably with "утомительный" without considering context. For example, learners might say "утомительный марафон" (tiresome marathon) when "изнурительный марафон" (grueling marathon) is more precise for extreme endurance events. Correct: Stick to "изнурительный" for high-intensity scenarios to avoid understating the exhaustion.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "изнурительный день" in all cases instead of "изнурительном дне" in prepositional case. Correct example: "В изнурительном дне" (In a grueling day) vs. Incorrect: "В изнурительный день". This error stems from English's lack of cases, so practice with sentences to build habit.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "изнурительный" often evoke the historical context of arduous labor in Soviet-era industries or rural life, symbolizing resilience and endurance. This reflects a cultural emphasis on stoicism in the face of hardship, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works, where grueling experiences build character.

Related Concepts:

• усталость (fatigue)
• изнеможение (exhaustion)
• напряженный (tense or strained)