Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'intense'

English Word: intense

Key Russian Translations:

• интенсивный [ɪnˈtensɪvnɨj] - [Formal, commonly used in academic or professional contexts]
• сильный [ˈsʲilʲnɨj] - [Informal, when emphasizing emotional or physical intensity]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, literature, and media, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 Intermediate (requires understanding of adjective declensions; for "интенсивный", it's straightforward for learners at this level, while "сильный" may vary slightly in nuance)

Pronunciation (Russian):

интенсивный: [ɪnˈtensɪvnɨj]

сильный: [ˈsʲilʲnɨj]

Note on интенсивный: The stress falls on the third syllable; be mindful of the palatalized 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers. Variations in informal speech may soften the vowels.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Intense as in strong, extreme, or concentrated

Translation(s) & Context:

• интенсивный - Used in formal contexts like describing emotions, activities, or scientific processes (e.g., intense heat translates to intense emotional states).
• сильный - Applied in informal or everyday situations for physical or emotional strength (e.g., in casual conversations about feelings).

Usage Examples:

• Эта тренировка была очень интенсивной, и я устал после первого часа.

  This workout was very intense, and I got tired after the first hour.

• Его сильный взгляд заставил меня почувствовать напряжение в комнате.

  His intense gaze made me feel the tension in the room.

• Интенсивный курс русского языка помог мне быстро улучшить навыки.

  The intense Russian language course helped me improve my skills quickly.

• Сильный дождь в Москве создал интенсивный поток на улицах.

  The intense rain in Moscow created a strong flow on the streets.

• Интенсивная музыка на концерте подняла настроение толпы до предела.

  The intense music at the concert lifted the crowd's mood to the extreme.

Intense as in deeply focused or passionate

Translation(s) & Context:

• интенсивный - In contexts involving dedication or focus, such as work or studies.
• сильный - For emotional depth, like in relationships or personal interests.

Usage Examples:

• Её интенсивная концентрация на проекте впечатлила всю команду.

  Her intense concentration on the project impressed the entire team.

• Сильная страсть к искусству сделала его жизнь более яркой.

  His intense passion for art made his life more vibrant.

• Интенсивные дебаты в парламенте длились до поздней ночи.

  The intense debates in parliament lasted until late at night.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "интенсивный" and "сильный" are adjectives in Russian, which means they inflect based on gender, number, and case. Russian adjectives follow a standard pattern for most first-declension adjectives, but "сильный" has some irregularities in certain forms.

Note: These adjectives do not change in short form but must agree with the noun they modify. "интенсивный" is regular, while "сильный" can have slight phonetic variations in informal speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • энергичный [ɛnʲɛrˈɡʲitɕɪj] (energetic, often used for physical intensity)
  • острый [ˈostrɨj] (sharp, for emotional or sensory intensity; subtle difference: more about keenness than depth)
• Antonyms:
  • слабый [ˈslabɨj] (weak, opposite in strength)
  • спокойный [spaˈkoj nɨj] (calm, opposite in emotional intensity; used in contexts where "intense" implies agitation)

Related Phrases:

• Интенсивный курс - An intensive course (refers to accelerated learning programs).
• Сильный ветер - A strong wind (common in weather descriptions, implying force and intensity).
• Интенсивная терапия - Intensive care (medical context, emphasizing urgency and focus).

Usage Notes:

"Интенсивный" is the most direct translation for "intense" in formal or technical English contexts, such as science or education, while "сильный" is better for everyday, emotional, or physical descriptions. Choose based on context: use "интенсивный" for processes (e.g., intense training) and "сильный" for attributes (e.g., intense flavor). Be aware of grammatical agreement with nouns, as Russian adjectives must match in gender, number, and case. In informal speech, "сильный" might be preferred for its versatility, but it can sound less precise than "интенсивный" in professional settings.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "интенсивный" with "интенсив" (a noun meaning intensity): Incorrect: "Я чувствую интенсив" (wrong, as it should be an adjective). Correct: "Я чувствую интенсивную боль". Explanation: Always use the full adjective form to modify nouns.
• Overusing "сильный" for all types of intensity: Incorrect: "Сильный курс языка" (implies physical strength, not focus). Correct: "Интенсивный курс языка". Explanation: "Сильный" doesn't capture the concentrated aspect; select based on nuance to avoid miscommunication.
• Forgetting declensions: Incorrect: "Интенсивный женщина" (grammatical error). Correct: "Интенсивная женщина". Explanation: Adjectives must agree with the noun's gender; this is a common mistake for English learners due to English's lack of declensions.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "интенсивный" often appear in contexts related to endurance and resilience, such as in literature (e.g., Tolstoy's intense emotional descriptions) or modern life (e.g., intensive work schedules in urban areas like Moscow). This reflects a cultural emphasis on stoicism and depth in experiences, where intensity is valued but can also imply emotional extremes in personal relationships.

Related Concepts:

• Эмоциональный [ɛmɐˈtsʲɪɪnɨj] (emotional)
• Напряженный [nɐˈprʲæʐɛnnɨj] (tense or strained)
• Энергичный [ɛnʲɛrˈɡʲitɕɪj] (energetic)