Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'infrequently'

English Word: infrequently

Key Russian Translations:

• редко [ˈrʲedkə] - [Adverb, Informal, Used in everyday contexts]
• нечасто [nʲɪˈt͡ɕasto] - [Adverb, Formal, Used in written or professional language]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are encountered in standard Russian communication but not as commonly as basic adverbs like "often" or "always").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; Learners at this level can handle basic adverbs, but nuances in formality may require practice. For "редко", it's B1; for "нечасто", it's B2 due to its more formal tone.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

редко: [ˈrʲedkə]

Note on редко: The stress is on the first syllable; the "р" is rolled, which can be challenging for English speakers. Avoid softening the "д" sound.

нечасто: [nʲɪˈt͡ɕasto]

Note on нечасто: The "ч" is a soft palatal fricative; practice with native audio to master the rhythm, as Russian stress patterns affect vowel clarity.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Adverb: Not often or rarely (Primary meaning, indicating infrequency in actions or events).

Translation(s) & Context:

• редко - Used in casual conversations to describe events that happen infrequently, such as habits or occurrences.
• нечасто - Applied in formal writing or speech, emphasizing rarity in a more polished manner, such as in reports or discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он редко ходит в кино по вечерам. (On redko khodit v kino po vecheram.)

  He infrequently goes to the cinema in the evenings. (This shows "редко" in a simple daily context.)

• В этом городе нечасто бывает такая хорошая погода. (V etom gorode nechasto byvaet takaya khoroshaya pogoda.)

  In this city, such good weather infrequently occurs. (Illustrates "нечасто" in a descriptive, formal sentence.)

• Редко встречаются люди, которые так хорошо говорят по-русски. (Redko vstrechayutsya lyudi, kotorye tak khorosho govoryat po-russki.)

  People who speak Russian so well are infrequently encountered. (Demonstrates "редко" with a noun phrase for emphasis.)

• Нечасто приходится сталкиваться с такими проблемами в работе. (Nechasto prikhoditsya stolknut'sya s takimi problemami v rabote.)

  One infrequently has to deal with such issues at work. (Shows "нечасто" in a professional context with verb conjugation.)

• Редко, но приятно, когда друзья звонят без повода. (Redko, no priyatno, kogda druz'ya zvonjat bez povoda.)

  Infrequently, but pleasantly, friends call without reason. (Highlights "редко" in an idiomatic expression with contrast.)

Adverb: In a manner that is not regular (Secondary meaning, often implying irregularity in patterns).

Translation(s) & Context:

• редко - Used when describing irregular events, such as in narratives or personal anecdotes.
• нечасто - Employed in analytical contexts, like statistics or reports, to denote low frequency.

Usage Examples:

• Редко бывает, чтобы все планы сбылись. (Redko byvaet, chtoby vse plany sbylis'.)

  It's infrequently the case that all plans come to fruition. (Emphasizes irregularity in outcomes.)

• Нечасто в истории происходят такие события. (Nechasto v istorii proiskhodyat takie sobytiya.)

  Such events infrequently occur in history. (Formal usage in historical or academic contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "редко" and "нечасто" are adverbs in Russian, which typically do not inflect for case, number, or gender. They remain unchanged across contexts, making them straightforward for learners. However, their usage can vary with sentence structure:

Note: Unlike adjectives or nouns, these adverbs have no irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • редковато [rʲedkəˈvatə] - Slightly less common, implies a milder infrequency.
  • изредка [ɪzˈrʲedkə] - Means occasionally, with a nuance of irregularity.
• Antonyms:
  • часто [ˈt͡ɕasto] - Often, frequently.
  • всегда [ˈfsʲegda] - Always, regularly.

Related Phrases:

• редко встречать - To meet rarely; A common phrase for infrequent encounters in social contexts.
• нечасто случаться - To happen infrequently; Used in formal descriptions of rare events.
• редко бывать - To be present rarely; Implies occasional absence in everyday language.

Usage Notes:

"Редко" corresponds closely to "infrequently" in informal English, making it ideal for casual speech, while "нечасто" aligns with more formal or written contexts. Choose "редко" for everyday conversations and "нечасто" when precision is needed, such as in business or academic settings. Be mindful of word order in Russian sentences, where adverbs often precede the verb for emphasis. Additionally, these adverbs do not change form, simplifying their integration into various grammatical structures.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Confusing "редко" (adverb) with "редкий" (adjective, meaning rare). Incorrect: "Редкий ходить" (Wrong: Implies the person is rare, not the action). Correct: "Редко ходить" (Infrequently to go). Explanation: English learners often mix parts of speech; always verify the context to use the adverb form.

• Mistake: Overusing "редко" in formal writing. Incorrect: "В отчете редко упоминается..." (Too casual). Correct: "В отчете нечасто упоминается..." Explanation: Select the appropriate formality to match the audience, as "нечасто" conveys a more professional tone.

Cultural Notes:

Words like "редко" and "нечасто" do not carry strong cultural connotations in Russian, but they reflect the language's emphasis on precision in describing time and frequency. In Russian culture, acknowledging infrequency can highlight appreciation for rare events, such as in literature or folklore where uncommon occurrences often symbolize significance.

Related Concepts:

• часто (often)
• иногда (sometimes)
• всегда (always)