Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'hefty'

English Word: hefty

Key Russian Translations:

• тяжелый [ˈtʲæʐɨlɨj] - [Formal, Adjective; used for describing weight, size, or significance]
• весомый [ˈvʲesəmɨj] - [Formal; often in contexts emphasizing importance or substantiality]
• крепкий [ˈkrʲepkʲij] - [Informal; primarily for physical strength or robustness]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday Russian, especially in descriptive contexts like business, daily life, and literature, but not as ubiquitous as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adjective inflections and contextual nuances. For 'тяжелый', it's B1; for 'весомый', it might lean towards B2 due to more abstract usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

тяжелый: [ˈtʲæʐɨlɨj]

весомый: [ˈvʲesəmɨj]

крепкий: [ˈkrʲepkʲij]

Note on тяжелый: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ж' sound (like 'zh' in 'measure') can be tricky for English speakers; it softens in certain positions. Variations in informal speech may alter vowel sounds slightly.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Describing something heavy or of significant weight/size (physical sense)

Translation(s) & Context:

• тяжелый - Used in formal or everyday contexts for literal weight, e.g., objects or physical burdens.
• крепкий - Informal contexts emphasizing robustness or sturdiness, like a hefty person or item.

Usage Examples:

• Этот рюкзак слишком тяжелый для похода. (This backpack is too hefty for the hike.)

  English Translation: This backpack is too heavy for the hike.

• Он нес тяжелый груз по лестнице. (He carried a hefty load up the stairs.)

  English Translation: He carried a heavy load up the stairs.

• Крепкий мужчина поднял hefty ящик без усилий. (The hefty man lifted the box without effort.)

  English Translation: The strong man lifted the hefty box without effort.

• Весомый аргумент убедил всех в важности решения. (The hefty argument convinced everyone of the decision's importance.)

  English Translation: The substantial argument convinced everyone of the decision's importance. (Note: Here, 'весомый' extends to metaphorical weight.)

• Тяжелый дождь сделал дорогу непроходимой. (The hefty rain made the road impassable.)

  English Translation: The heavy rain made the road impassable.

Meaning 2: Describing something substantial or significant (figurative sense, e.g., in importance or amount)

Translation(s) & Context:

• весомый - Formal contexts, such as debates or business, to denote heftiness in influence or value.
• тяжелый - Can be used metaphorically for emotional or financial burdens.

Usage Examples:

• Ее весомый вклад в проект был признан всеми. (Her hefty contribution to the project was recognized by everyone.)

  English Translation: Her substantial contribution to the project was recognized by everyone.

• Тяжелый налог на импорт повлиял на экономику. (The hefty tax on imports affected the economy.)

  English Translation: The heavy tax on imports affected the economy.

• Весомый аргумент в переговорах склонил чашу весов. (The hefty argument in negotiations tipped the scales.)

  English Translation: The substantial argument in negotiations tipped the scales.

• Крепкий удар судьбы сделал его более resilient. (The hefty blow of fate made him more resilient.)

  English Translation: The strong blow of fate made him more resilient. (Informal usage.)

• Тяжелый выбор между карьерой и семьей. (The hefty choice between career and family.)

  English Translation: The weighty choice between career and family.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

These translations are primarily adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. 'Тяжелый' is a first-declension adjective and follows standard patterns. 'Весомый' and 'Крепкий' also inflect regularly.

Note: These adjectives do not have irregular inflections, making them straightforward for learners, but always agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • массивный (massivnyj) - Similar to 'hefty' in size, but more neutral; used for bulk without implying weight.
  • громоздкий (gromozdkij) - Emphasizes clumsiness or bulkiness, with a slight negative connotation.
  • существенный (sushchestvennyj) - For 'весомый'-like usage, focusing on significance.
• Antonyms:
  • лёгкий (lyokhkyj)
  • невесомый (nevesomyj)
  • хрупкий (khrupkij)

Related Phrases:

• тяжелый груз (tyazhelyy gruz) - Heavy load; used in logistics or physical contexts.
• весомый аргумент (vesomyj argument) - Substantial argument; common in debates or discussions.
• крепкий удар (krepkiy udar) - Hefty blow; refers to a strong physical or metaphorical impact.
• тяжелые времена (tyazhelye vremena) - Hefty times; means difficult periods, like economic hardships.

Usage Notes:

'Hefty' corresponds most directly to 'тяжелый' in physical contexts and 'весомый' in abstract ones. In Russian, choose based on nuance: use 'тяжелый' for literal weight to match everyday English usage, but opt for 'весомый' in formal settings like business. Be mindful of gender agreement; for example, say 'тяжелая сумка' for a hefty bag (feminine). Avoid overusing in casual speech to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

• Grammar tip: Adjectives like these must agree with the noun, which can be a common point of confusion for English speakers used to invariable adjectives.
• Context guidance: In idiomatic expressions, 'крепкий' might be more appropriate for people or objects implying strength, similar to 'sturdy' in English.

Common Errors:

One common mistake is confusing 'тяжелый' with 'тяжёлый' (a less common variant with a different stress), leading to mispronunciation. For example, English learners might say "тяжелый" incorrectly as [tʲaˈʐelɨj] instead of [ˈtʲæʐɨlɨj]. Correct usage: Always stress the first syllable.

• Error: Using 'тяжелый' without inflection, e.g., saying "тяжелый домы" instead of "тяжелые дома" (hefty houses).
  Correct: "Тяжелые дома" – Explanation: Plural requires the adjective to change to plural form for agreement.
• Error: Mixing with synonyms, e.g., using 'крепкий' for financial weight when 'весомый' is better.
  Correct: "Весомый вклад" instead of "Крепкий вклад" – Explanation: 'Крепкий' implies physical strength, not significance.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'тяжелый' often carry emotional weight, reflecting historical contexts such as the hardships of Soviet-era life or rural labor. For instance, 'тяжелые годы' (hefty years) might evoke memories of economic struggles, adding a layer of resilience and stoicism to its usage, which English speakers can appreciate when learning about Russian literature or history.

Related Concepts:

• громоздкий (bulkiness)
• массивный (massive)
• лёгкий (light, as an antonym)
• существенный (significant)