Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'inconvenient'

English Word: inconvenient

Key Russian Translations:

• неудобный [nʲɪˈu.vəd.nɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations and written texts, but not as basic as everyday essentials).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, per CEFR; requires familiarity with Russian adjective declensions and basic vocabulary).

Pronunciation (Russian):

неудобный: [nʲɪˈu.vəd.nɨj]

Note on неудобный: The stress falls on the second syllable ("u"), which is common in Russian adjectives. Be cautious with the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers. Variations in regional accents may slightly alter vowel lengths.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not convenient or suitable (e.g., causing trouble or discomfort in daily life)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неудобный - Used to describe situations, objects, or times that create inconvenience, applicable in both formal contexts (e.g., business discussions) and informal everyday talk (e.g., casual conversations).

Usage Examples:

• Эта поездка была неудобной из-за позднего времени отправления.

  This trip was inconvenient due to the late departure time.

• Неудобный график работы часто приводит к усталости сотрудников.

  An inconvenient work schedule often leads to employee fatigue.

• Для меня неудобно встречаться в выходные, так как я отдыхаю.

  It's inconvenient for me to meet on weekends, as I rest then.

• Неудобный размер обуви сделал прогулку невыносимой.

  The inconvenient shoe size made the walk unbearable.

• В неудобном помещении трудно сосредоточиться на работе.

  In an inconvenient room, it's hard to focus on work.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

неудобный is a Russian adjective, which typically follows standard adjective declension patterns. It agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. There are no irregular forms, but it changes based on context. Below is a table illustrating its key inflections:

Note: This adjective does not change in short form (e.g., неудобен for masculine nominative), which is used in some predicative constructions.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: затруднительный (more formal, implying difficulty); неприятный (emphasizing unpleasantness rather than inconvenience).
• Antonyms: удобный (convenient, direct opposite in most contexts); комфортный (comfortable, often used for physical ease).

Related Phrases:

• неудобное время - An inconvenient time (used when scheduling conflicts arise, e.g., in professional or social settings).
• неудобный момент - An inconvenient moment (implies poor timing, often in interpersonal communication).
• неудобная ситуация - An inconvenient situation (refers to awkward or troublesome circumstances in daily life).

Usage Notes:

неудобный directly corresponds to "inconvenient" in English, focusing on practicality and ease rather than emotional discomfort (for which неприятно might be better). It is versatile across formal and informal contexts but is most common in everyday speech. When using it, ensure agreement with the noun's gender, number, and case, as Russian adjectives must. For example, choose between translations based on nuance: use неудобный for logistical issues and затруднительный for more complex challenges. Avoid overusing it in polite refusals, where cultural norms might favor softer language.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using неудобный incorrectly with nouns, e.g., saying "неудобный дом" but forgetting to decline it properly in a sentence like "Я живу в неудобном доме" (correct), versus mistakenly saying "Я живу в неудобный дом" (wrong, as it should be genitive in some contexts).

  Correct Usage: Always match the case, e.g., "В неудобном доме трудно жить" (In an inconvenient house, it's hard to live). Explanation: Russian requires adjective-noun agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

• Error: Confusing it with synonyms, e.g., using неприятно (unpleasant) instead of неудобный in a context like "This schedule is inconvenient," resulting in "Этот график неприятно" (incorrectly emotionalizing it).

  Correct Usage: Use неудобный for "Этот график неудобный." Explanation: неприятно conveys emotional discomfort, while неудобный is about practicality.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like неудобный often reflect a pragmatic approach to daily life challenges, such as unreliable public transport or rigid schedules. It can subtly convey resignation or adaptability, common in Russian interpersonal communication, where complaining about inconveniences is a social norm rather than a taboo.

Related Concepts:

• удобный
• затруднительный
• неприятный