Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inclination'

English Word: inclination

Key Russian Translations:

• наклонность /nəˈklonnəsʲtʲ/ - [Formal, Singular, Used in psychological or behavioral contexts]
• склонность /ˈsklonnəsʲtʲ/ - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in everyday discussions about preferences]
• наклон /ˈnaklən/ - [Formal, Noun, Used when referring to physical tilt or angle]

Frequency: Medium (Common in literature, psychology, and technical discussions, but not everyday speech)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and contextual usage; for 'наклонность' and 'склонность', B1; for 'наклон', A2)

Pronunciation (Russian):

наклонность: /nəˈklonnəsʲtʲ/ (The stress is on the third syllable; note the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for beginners)

склонность: /ˈsklonnəsʲtʲ/ (Stress on the first syllable; pay attention to the soft 'н' for a more natural flow)

наклон: /ˈnaklən/ (Simple pronunciation; the 'л' is not palatalized, making it easier for learners)

Note on наклонность: This word often has a soft ending in spoken Russian, which might vary by dialect; practice with native speakers for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A natural tendency or disposition towards something (e.g., psychological inclination)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наклонность - Used in formal contexts like psychology or philosophy to describe inherent tendencies.
• склонность - More informal, often in personal or social discussions about habits or preferences.

Usage Examples:

• У него есть естественная наклонность к музыке с детства.

  He has a natural inclination towards music from childhood.

• Её склонность к приключениям часто приводит к неожиданным ситуациям.

  Her inclination towards adventures often leads to unexpected situations.

• Эта наклонность может быть унаследована от родителей.

  This inclination might be inherited from parents.

• В подростковом возрасте проявляется склонность к риску.

  In adolescence, an inclination towards risk becomes apparent.

• Его наклонность к точным наукам определила выбор профессии.

  His inclination towards exact sciences determined his career choice.

Meaning 2: A physical tilt or angle (e.g., slope or bend)

Translation(s) & Context:

• наклон - Primarily used in technical, scientific, or physical contexts to describe an angle or slope.

Usage Examples:

• Угол наклона крыши должен быть не менее 30 градусов.

  The inclination angle of the roof should be at least 30 degrees.

• Этот наклон дороги затрудняет движение в дождь.

  This inclination of the road makes driving difficult in the rain.

• Измерьте наклон линии на графике.

  Measure the inclination of the line on the graph.

• Наклон башни Пизы — один из самых известных архитектурных феноменов.

  The inclination of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous architectural phenomena.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For 'наклонность' and 'склонность' (feminine nouns, 3rd declension), they follow standard feminine noun patterns with regular inflections:

For 'наклон' (masculine noun, 2nd declension), it has regular inflections as follows:

These words do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are mastered.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • предрасположенность (predraspolozhennost') - Similar to 'наклонность', but often implies a genetic or inherent predisposition.
  • тенденция (tendentsiya) - More neutral, used in broader contexts like trends.
• Antonyms:
  • отвращение (otvraschenie) - Directly opposite, meaning aversion or repulsion.
  • равнодушие (ravnodushie) - Indifference, lacking any inclination.

Related Phrases:

• Естественная наклонность - Natural inclination; used to describe innate talents or behaviors.
• Склонность к риску - Inclination towards risk; common in financial or psychological contexts.
• Угол наклона - Angle of inclination; technical phrase in engineering or physics.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'inclination' translates variably based on context: use 'наклонность' for abstract tendencies (e.g., personality traits) and 'наклон' for physical angles. Be mindful of formality—'склонность' is more conversational. Always consider case endings in sentences, as Russian nouns change based on grammatical role. When choosing between translations, opt for 'наклонность' in psychological discussions and 'наклон' in scientific ones for the most precise correspondence to English.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using 'наклонность' interchangeably with 'наклон' in physical contexts. Correct: "Угол наклона" (Angle of inclination). Explanation: 'Наклонность' implies a tendency, not a physical angle, which can confuse the meaning.
• Mistake: Forgetting to decline the noun, e.g., saying "Я имею наклонность" instead of "У меня есть наклонность". Correct: Use genitive in such constructions. Explanation: Russian requires proper case agreement, unlike English, so learners must practice declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'наклонность' often appear in literary works by authors such as Tolstoy, where they describe character flaws or virtues, reflecting a deep philosophical tradition. For instance, inclinations towards certain behaviors might be tied to moral or societal expectations, emphasizing the collectivist aspects of Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• предпочтение (predpochtenie)
• тенденция (tendentsiya)
• склон (sklon)