Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hardy'

English Word: hardy

Key Russian Translations:

• крепкий [ˈkrʲepkʲɪj] - [Informal, used for physical robustness or strength]
• стойкий [ˈstoɪkʲɪj] - [Formal, used for mental or emotional resilience]

Frequency: Medium (These words are commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversations, literature, and media, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary like "hello".)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate level per CEFR; learners at this stage can understand and use these adjectives in context, though mastering inflections may require practice. For 'крепкий', it's slightly easier at B1; for 'стойкий', it might edge toward B2 due to nuanced applications.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

крепкий: [ˈkrʲepkʲɪj] (The 'krʲ' sound is a palatalized 'k', which can be challenging for English speakers; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on крепкий: Pay attention to the soft 'k' sound, similar to the 'k' in 'cute' but more pronounced. Variations in regional accents may soften the ending.

стойкий: [ˈstoɪkʲɪj] (The 'oɪ' is a diphthong, akin to the vowel in 'boy'; stress on the first syllable.)

Note on стойкий: The 'kʲ' is palatalized, which might sound like a 'ky' blend. In fast speech, the ending can vary slightly by dialect.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Brave or bold (Referring to courage or mental fortitude)

Translation(s) & Context:

• стойкий - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who endures challenges bravely, such as in historical narratives or motivational speeches.

Usage Examples:

• Он остался стойким несмотря на все трудности. (He remained hardy despite all the difficulties.)

  Translation: He remained steadfast despite all the hardships. (This example shows 'стойкий' in a personal resilience context.)

• Её стойкий характер помог ей преодолеть препятствия. (Her hardy character helped her overcome obstacles.)

  Translation: Her resilient nature helped her overcome obstacles. (Illustrates use in describing personality traits.)

• Войска проявили стойкость в бою. (The troops showed hardy endurance in battle.)

  Translation: The troops demonstrated steadfastness in battle. (Demonstrates application in military or historical contexts.)

• Стойкий лидер не отступает перед вызовами. (A hardy leader does not back down from challenges.)

  Translation: A resilient leader does not retreat from challenges. (Shows variation in sentence structure.)

Meaning 2: Robust or sturdy (Referring to physical strength or durability)

Translation(s) & Context:

• крепкий - Commonly used in informal everyday language for physical toughness, such as describing people, objects, or weather conditions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот дом построен из крепкого материала. (This house is built from hardy material.)

  Translation: This house is built from sturdy material. (Example in a construction context.)

• Она имеет крепкое здоровье, несмотря на возраст. (She has a hardy constitution despite her age.)

  Translation: She has robust health despite her age. (Illustrates use for personal health.)

• Крепкий ветер не смог сломать дерево. (The hardy wind couldn't break the tree.)

  Translation: The strong wind couldn't break the tree. (Shows metaphorical or natural usage.)

• Мальчик крепкий, как дуб. (The boy is hardy like an oak.)

  Translation: The boy is sturdy like an oak. (Poetic or comparative structure.)

• Крепкий чай помогает в холодную погоду. (Hardy tea helps in cold weather.)

  Translation: Strong tea helps in cold weather. (Everyday informal context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'крепкий' and 'стойкий' are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern of agreement with nouns. They are not irregular but require attention to declension rules.

Note: These adjectives do not change in comparative forms without suffixes (e.g., крепче for 'stronger'), but they are invariable in terms of root changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • крепкий: выносливый (more endurance-focused, used for physical stamina)
  • стойкий: упорный (persistent, with a connotation of determination in tasks)
• Antonyms:
  • крепкий: хрупкий (fragile)
  • стойкий: слабый (weak)

Related Phrases:

• Крепкий орешек - A tough nut to crack (Refers to a difficult person or problem.)
• Стойкий, как скала - Hardy as a rock (Used to describe unyielding resilience in challenging situations.)
• Крепкий сон - A sound sleep (Implies deep, restorative rest.)

Usage Notes:

'Крепкий' is often the best match for the physical sense of 'hardy' in English, while 'стойкий' aligns more with emotional or mental endurance. Be mindful of context: use 'крепкий' in casual conversations about health or objects, and 'стойкий' in formal writing or discussions about character. Grammatically, always ensure adjective agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case. For learners, 'стойкий' might be preferred in literary contexts due to its formality, whereas 'крепкий' is versatile for everyday use.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'крепкий' interchangeably with 'стойкий' without considering nuance. For example, saying "Он крепкий в битве" when meaning emotional resilience, which should be "Он стойкий в битве". Correct: Ensure the context fits—'крепкий' for physical, 'стойкий' for mental. Explanation: This confuses the shades of meaning, leading to imprecise communication.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "стойкий женщина" instead of "стойкая женщина". Correct: Always decline properly as shown in the inflections table. Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so this error can make sentences grammatically incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'стойкий' often evoke historical resilience, such as in references to World War II heroes or endurance in harsh winters, reflecting the national narrative of perseverance. 'Крепкий' might appear in folk tales or proverbs emphasizing physical strength, symbolizing survival in Russia's challenging climate.

Related Concepts:

• выносливый (enduring)
• упорный (persistent)
• крепость (fortress, implying strength)