Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'industrious'

English Word: industrious

Key Russian Translations:

• трудолюбивый [trʊdɐˈlʲjubʲɪvɨj] - [Formal, Adjective, Used in descriptive contexts for persistent effort]
• усердный [ʊˈsʲernɨj] - [Informal, Adjective, Used in everyday contexts to emphasize diligence]

Frequency: Medium (Common in educational, professional, and literary contexts, but not as ubiquitous as basic adjectives like "хороший").

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; involves understanding adjective inflections and contextual nuances. For 'трудолюбивый', it's B2 due to its formal tone; for 'усердный', it's slightly easier at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

трудолюбивый: [trʊdɐˈlʲjubʲɪvɨj]

усердный: [ʊˈsʲernɨj]

Note on трудолюбивый: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ('lʲjubʲ'), which can be tricky for beginners; it's often pronounced more fluidly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Hardworking and diligent, often implying consistent effort in work or study.

Translation(s) & Context:

• трудолюбивый - Used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is persistently industrious, such as in professional evaluations.
• усердный - Applied in informal or everyday situations, emphasizing enthusiastic effort without the same level of formality.

Usage Examples:

• Он очень трудолюбивый работник, всегда выполняет задачи вовремя.

  Translation: He is a very industrious worker, always completing tasks on time. (Shows the word in a professional context.)

• Её усердный подход к учёбе помог ей добиться успеха.

  Translation: Her industrious approach to studying helped her achieve success. (Illustrates informal usage in educational settings.)

• В этой компании ценят трудолюбивых сотрудников, которые не боятся переработок.

  Translation: In this company, they value industrious employees who aren't afraid of overtime. (Demonstrates the word in a corporate environment.)

• Несмотря на усталость, она осталась усердной в своей повседневной рутине.

  Translation: Despite her fatigue, she remained industrious in her daily routine. (Highlights persistence in personal life.)

• Трудолюбивый фермер работает с рассвета до заката, чтобы собрать урожай.

  Translation: The industrious farmer works from dawn till dusk to harvest the crops. (Shows application in rural or traditional contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'трудолюбивый' and 'усердный' are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow regular patterns, though 'трудолюбивый' can sometimes feel more complex due to its length.

For 'трудолюбивый' (a regular adjective):

For 'усердный', it follows the same regular adjective pattern:

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward once the basic rules are learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • усердный (similar to 'industrious' but more casual)
  • деятельный (emphasizes activity and initiative, often in professional contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • ленивый (lazy, directly opposite in meaning)
  • бездельный (idle, implying a lack of productivity)

Related Phrases:

• трудолюбивый человек - A hardworking person; used to describe someone with strong work ethics.
• усердный ученик - A diligent student; common in educational contexts to praise effort.
• быть трудолюбивым - To be industrious; a phrase emphasizing personal traits in motivational speech.

Usage Notes:

'Трудолюбивый' is a more formal equivalent to 'industrious' and is often used in written Russian or professional settings, while 'усердный' fits informal conversations. Choose 'трудолюбивый' for contexts involving long-term dedication, as it carries a positive connotation in Russian culture. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case. For example, if the noun is feminine, use 'трудолюбивая'. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; consider the context to select the appropriate synonym.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'трудолюбивый' in informal speech where 'усердный' would be more natural, e.g., saying "Он трудолюбивый друг" instead of "Он усердный друг" in casual talk. Correct: Stick to 'усердный' for everyday contexts to avoid sounding overly formal. Explanation: This can make the speaker seem stiff or out of place.

• Error: Forgetting adjective inflections, e.g., saying "трудолюбивый женщина" instead of "трудолюбивая женщина". Correct: "трудолюбивая женщина". Explanation: Russian requires agreement, so mismatched forms can confuse listeners and indicate beginner-level mistakes.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'трудолюбивый' reflect the historical emphasis on hard work and perseverance, rooted in Soviet-era values where diligence was celebrated as a key to success. This can evoke positive associations in contexts like literature or education, but it's less common in modern casual speech, highlighting a shift towards more relaxed attitudes in contemporary society.

Related Concepts:

• работоспособный (capable of work)
• настойчивый (persistent)
• энергичный (energetic)