Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intelligible'

English Word: intelligible

Key Russian Translations:

• понятный [pɐˈnʲætnɨj] - [General; can be used in both formal and informal contexts]
• ясный [ˈjasnɨj] - [Formal; often used in technical or explanatory contexts]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations are commonly encountered in everyday Russian communication, literature, and education, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; learners at this level should grasp the concept, but mastering inflections and nuances may require practice. For 'понятный', it's B2; for 'ясный', it's also B2 due to similar adjective structures.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

понятный: [pɐˈnʲætnɨj]

ясный: [ˈjasnɨj]

Note on понятный: The stress falls on the second syllable ('nʲæ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'nʲ' sound. Pronounce it with a soft, front-of-the-mouth 'n'.

Note on ясный: The initial 'ya' sound is like 'ya' in 'yard', but softer. Avoid overemphasizing the 's' to prevent it from sounding like a different word.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Understandable or clear in expression (refers to something that can be easily comprehended)

Translation(s) & Context:

• понятный - Used in general contexts to describe ideas, language, or instructions that are easy to grasp, such as in educational or everyday conversations.
• ясный - Applied in more formal or precise settings, like scientific explanations or legal documents, emphasizing clarity without ambiguity.

Usage Examples:

• Его объяснение было очень понятным для всех слушателей.

  His explanation was very intelligible to all listeners. (This example shows the adjective in a nominative context, describing something clear in a group setting.)

• Этот текст неясный, но с помощью словаря он становится понятным.

  This text is unclear, but with a dictionary, it becomes intelligible. (Demonstrates contrast and the adjective's role in improving comprehension.)

• В ясном изложении сложных идей студентам легче учиться.

  In an intelligible presentation of complex ideas, students learn more easily. (Highlights 'ясный' in a formal educational context.)

• Понятный язык инструкций помогает избежать ошибок.

  Intelligible language in instructions helps avoid mistakes. (Illustrates practical usage in procedural or technical scenarios.)

• Её речь была ясной и понятной, несмотря на сложную тему.

  Her speech was intelligible and clear, despite the complex topic. (Combines both translations to show how they can be used together for emphasis.)

Meaning 2: Capable of being understood intellectually (e.g., in abstract or philosophical contexts)

Translation(s) & Context:

• понятный - Often used in intellectual discussions to indicate concepts that are graspable with effort.
• ясный - In philosophical or abstract settings, to denote precision in thought.

Usage Examples:

• Философские тексты Канта не всегда понятны на первый взгляд.

  Kant's philosophical texts are not always intelligible at first glance. (Shows the adjective with abstract concepts.)

• С ясным умом он сделал понятным даже самые запутанные теории.

  With a clear mind, he made even the most tangled theories intelligible. (Demonstrates 'ясный' modifying a noun and enhancing understanding.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'понятный' and 'ясный' are adjectives in Russian, which inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify and follow standard patterns for first-declension adjectives.

For 'понятный' (an adjective of the first declension):

For 'ясный', the inflections are similar:

These adjectives do not have irregular forms, making them straightforward for learners once the pattern is memorized.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ясный (similar to 'clear', but often more precise)
  • доступный (accessible, implying ease of understanding for a wider audience)
• Antonyms:
  • непонятный (unintelligible, directly opposite)
  • неясный (unclear, with a nuance of vagueness)

Related Phrases:

• понятный язык - Clear language (Refers to straightforward communication in everyday or educational contexts.)
• ясный день - A clear day (Used metaphorically for weather or figuratively for obvious situations.)
• сделать понятным - To make intelligible (A common phrase for clarifying complex ideas.)

Usage Notes:

'Понятный' directly corresponds to 'intelligible' in most contexts, emphasizing comprehensibility, while 'ясный' adds a layer of precision, often used in formal writing. Choose 'понятный' for general conversations and 'ясный' for technical or explanatory scenarios. Be mindful of adjective agreement with nouns in gender, number, and case, as Russian requires this for grammatical correctness. In informal speech, these words can be softened with particles like 'вот' for emphasis.

Common Errors:

• English learners often forget adjective agreement, e.g., saying "понятный книга" instead of "понятная книга" for "intelligible book" (feminine noun). Correct: Use the feminine form "понятная".
• Mixing up with similar words, such as using "понятливый" (quick to understand, as in a person) when meaning "intelligible" for an object. Error example: "Понятливый текст" (wrong); Correct: "Понятный текст". Explanation: "Понятливый" describes intelligence in people, not clarity of content.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, clarity and understandability in communication are highly valued, especially in education and literature. Words like 'понятный' reflect the emphasis on intellectual accessibility in Russian society, where dense philosophical texts (e.g., from Tolstoy or Dostoevsky) are common, and making ideas 'intelligible' is key to public discourse.

Related Concepts:

• доступный
• ясность
• объяснение