Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hardship'

English Word: hardship

Key Russian Translations:

• трудность [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, commonly used in general contexts]
• лишений [lʲɪˈʂenʲɪj] - [Formal, often in legal or historical contexts]
• затруднение [zətrudˈnʲenʲɪje] - [Informal, used for temporary difficulties]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in everyday Russian, especially in literature, news, and personal discussions, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp the concept with some exposure to noun declensions, though "трудность" requires understanding of feminine nouns in Russian grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудность: [ˈtrudnəsʲtʲ]

лишений: [lʲɪˈʂenʲɪj] (Note: The 'ш' sound is a soft, palatalized 'sh', which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.)

затруднение: [zətrudˈnʲenʲɪje] (Note: The stress is on the third syllable, and the 'е' at the end is pronounced as a soft 'ye'.)

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A state of difficulty, adversity, or suffering, often prolonged.

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудность - Used in everyday contexts to describe challenges in life, work, or personal situations, such as economic hardships.
• лишений - Applied in more formal or historical contexts, like wartime deprivations or legal hardships.

Usage Examples:

• В жизни каждого человека бывают трудности, но они делают нас сильнее.

  In every person's life, there are hardships, but they make us stronger.

• Экономические трудности вынудили многих эмигрировать из страны.

  Economic hardships forced many to emigrate from the country.

• Во время войны люди сталкивались с лишениями, такими как голод и холод.

  During the war, people faced hardships such as hunger and cold.

• Это затруднение в работе можно преодолеть с помощью дополнительного обучения.

  This hardship in work can be overcome with additional training.

• Семья пережила множество трудностей, но сохранила единство.

  The family endured many hardships but maintained their unity.

Meaning 2: Severe conditions or privations that cause distress.

Translation(s) & Context:

• затруднение - Informal for short-term obstacles, like minor hardships in daily life.
• трудность - In broader contexts, such as emotional or financial hardships.

Usage Examples:

• Затруднение с финансами вынудило её искать дополнительную работу.

  The hardship with finances forced her to look for extra work.

• Трудности путешествия по горам были вознаграждены потрясающими видами.

  The hardships of traveling through the mountains were rewarded with stunning views.

• В условиях лишения электричества жители improvisировали освещение.

  In the hardships of power outages, residents improvised lighting.

• Это затруднение в отношениях можно решить открытым разговором.

  This hardship in relationships can be resolved with an open conversation.

• Лишений в детстве сформировали его стойкий характер.

  The hardships of childhood shaped his resilient character.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"трудность" is a feminine noun (3rd declension) and follows standard Russian noun patterns. It changes based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table for its declensions:

For "лишений" (neuter noun), it is less variable but can take plural forms in specific contexts, e.g., лишения (nominative plural). "затруднение" (neuter) follows similar patterns but is often used in singular forms without much inflection in casual speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • труд (more general, implying effort; differs from 'трудность' by focusing on the process)
  • бедствие (implies disaster, often more severe)
  • испытание (used for trials or tests, with a connotation of growth)
• Antonyms:
  • лёгкость (ease)
  • благополучие (well-being)
  • успех (success)

Related Phrases:

• Преодолевать трудности (To overcome hardships) - Refers to surmounting challenges in life.
• В условиях лишения (In conditions of hardship) - Used for describing adverse situations, like poverty.
• Затруднение в общении (Difficulty in communication) - A common phrase for interpersonal hardships.
• Трудности адаптации (Hardships of adaptation) - Often in contexts of cultural or environmental changes.

Usage Notes:

• Russian translations like "трудность" directly correspond to "hardship" in meaning but are more flexible in usage; for example, it's common in Russian to pair it with verbs like "преодолевать" (to overcome) for motivational contexts.
• Use "formal" translations in written or professional settings, while "затруднение" is better for casual conversations to avoid sounding overly dramatic.
• Grammatically, always consider noun gender and case; "трудность" as a feminine noun requires agreement in adjectives and verbs.
• When choosing between translations, opt for "трудность" for general hardships and "лишений" for historical or legal ones to ensure precision.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "трудность" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу трудность" instead of "Я вижу трудности" in contexts requiring genitive. Correct: "Я вижу эту трудность" (for singular accusative). Explanation: Russian requires strict case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.
• Error: Confusing "трудность" with "труд" and using it to mean "work" instead of "hardship." Correct: Use "труд" for labor-related contexts. Explanation: These are related but distinct; mixing them can lead to misunderstandings in professional discussions.
• Error: Overusing "затруднение" in formal writing, where "трудность" is more appropriate. Correct: In essays, prefer "трудность преодоления." Explanation: "Затруднение" sounds too casual and may diminish the severity implied by "hardship."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "трудность" often carry a resilient undertone, reflecting historical experiences such as wars and economic challenges (e.g., in Soviet literature, hardships are portrayed as opportunities for growth). This aligns with the cultural value of "stoicism" or "perseverance," as seen in works by authors like Tolstoy, where enduring hardships is a path to character development.

Related Concepts:

• преодоление
• адаптация
• бедствие
• испытание