Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hardly'

English Word: hardly

Key Russian Translations:

• едва [ˈjɛdvə] - [Formal, used for emphasis on scarcity or minimal occurrence]
• почти не [ˈpoʧʲtʲɪ nʲɛ] - [Informal, often in everyday speech for approximation]
• с трудом [s ˈtrudəm] - [Neutral, implying effort or difficulty]

Frequency: Medium - The word and its translations are commonly encountered in Russian literature, narratives, and formal writing, but less so in casual conversation.

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate) - Learners at this level can grasp the nuances, but distinguishing between translations requires understanding adverbial usage and context. For "едва", it's B1; for "почти не", it's A2 (Beginner) due to its simplicity.

Pronunciation (Russian):

едва: [ˈjɛdvə]

почти не: [ˈpoʧʲtʲɪ nʲɛ]

с трудом: [s ˈtrudəm]

Note on едва: The stress on the first syllable [ˈjɛdvə] can be challenging for English speakers due to the soft 'д' sound, which is similar to a 'd' but palatalized. Variations in fast speech may soften the vowel.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Scarcely or barely (indicating something is almost not the case)

Translation(s) & Context:

• едва - Used in formal or literary contexts to express that an action or state is minimal or just barely happening, e.g., in descriptions of events.
• почти не - Informal equivalent, often in spoken language to soften statements or indicate approximation.

Usage Examples:

• Едва не опоздал на поезд. (Edva ne opozdal na poezd.)

  He hardly missed the train. (This example shows "едва" in a near-miss scenario, emphasizing closeness without occurrence.)

• Почти не верится, что это правда. (Počti ne verit’sja, čto èto pravda.)

  It's hardly believable that this is true. (Here, "почти не" conveys doubt in an informal setting.)

• С трудом он смог подняться на гору. (S trudom on smog podnjat’sja na goru.)

  He could hardly climb the mountain. (Illustrates physical difficulty, common in narrative contexts.)

• Едва ли это хорошая идея. (Edva li èto xorošaja ideja.)

  It's hardly a good idea. (Shows "едва" in hypothetical or advisory contexts.)

Meaning 2: With difficulty or effort (implying something is not easy)

Translation(s) & Context:

• с трудом - Applied in contexts involving physical or mental effort, suitable for both formal and informal use.
• едва - Less common here, but can overlap in poetic or emphatic speech.

Usage Examples:

• С трудом я выучил этот язык. (S trudom ja vyučil ètot jazyk.)

  I hardly learned this language. (Demonstrates effort in learning, highlighting perseverance.)

• Едва он смог сосредоточиться на работе. (Edva on smog sosredotočit’sja na rabote.)

  He could hardly focus on his work. (Shows mental strain in a professional context.)

• Почти не удавалось ему уснуть. (Počti ne udavalis’ emu usnut’.)

  He could hardly sleep. (Informal expression of insomnia or disturbance.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The primary translations like "едва" and "почти не" are adverbs, which do not undergo inflection in Russian. They remain unchanged regardless of gender, number, case, or tense. However, "с трудом" is a prepositional phrase and also invariant.

For completeness, if the translation involves verbs in examples (e.g., as in usage), they follow standard Russian verb conjugations. Example: The verb "опоздать" (to be late) is irregular in some aspects but not directly related to the adverb.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вряд ли [vrjad li] - Similar to "едва" but more about improbability; often interchangeable in doubtful contexts.
  • едва ли [edva li] - A variant of "едва" for emphasis on doubt.
  • с великим трудом [s velikim trudom] - A more emphatic version of "с трудом", used for extreme difficulty.
• Antonyms:
  • легко [ˈlʲɛskə] - Easily, directly opposing the idea of difficulty.
  • полностью [pɐlʲnəˈmʲestʲnə] - Completely, contrasting with "hardly" in terms of extent.

Related Phrases:

• Едва ли не - [Edva li ne] - Meaning "almost" or "scarcely not"; used to express a near certainty in ironic or emphatic contexts.
• С трудом, но верно - [S trudom, no verno] - Meaning "with difficulty, but correctly"; a common phrase for persistent effort.
• Почти не осталось времени - [Počti ne ostalos’ vremeni] - Meaning "hardly any time left"; typical in time-sensitive situations.

Usage Notes:

"Hardly" in English often corresponds to "едва" in formal Russian for precise, literary expressions, while "почти не" is better for casual speech. Be mindful of word order: in Russian, adverbs like these typically precede the verb for emphasis. For example, choose "едва" over "с трудом" when the focus is on scarcity rather than effort. In negative constructions, Russian may require adjustments, such as using "не" with the verb, which differs from English's double-negative avoidance.

• Context matters: Use "с трудом" for physical tasks, but "едва" for temporal or quantitative limitations.
• Grammar tip: These adverbs don't change form, making them easier for beginners, but ensure they align with the sentence's aspect (perfective/imperfective verbs).

Common Errors:

One common mistake is overusing "едва" in informal settings, where "почти не" would sound more natural—e.g., learners might say "Едва я ел" instead of "Почти не ел" for "I hardly ate." Correct usage: "Почти не ел" (I hardly ate). Another error is confusing it with "едва ли," leading to incorrect doubt expressions; for instance, saying "Едва не пошел" when meaning "I hardly went," but properly it should be "Едва пошел" for emphasis. Explanation: Russian adverbs don't always directly mirror English negation, so always check for context to avoid unintended meanings.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian literature and proverbs, words like "едва" often carry a sense of resilience or irony, reflecting the cultural emphasis on endurance in challenging circumstances (e.g., in works by Tolstoy, where characters "едва" survive hardships). This mirrors Russia's historical narrative of overcoming adversity, adding a layer of depth beyond literal translation.

Related Concepts:

• вряд ли [vrjad li]
• едва ли [edva li]
• трудно [ˈtrudnə]
• скудно [ˈskudnə]