Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'laboriously'

English Word: laboriously

Key Russian Translations:

• с трудом /s truˈdom/ - [Formal, used in descriptive contexts involving effort]
• усердно /uˈsʲernə/ - [Informal, emphasizing diligent or persistent effort]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in narrative and descriptive language, but not as frequent as basic adverbs)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of adverbs, prepositional phrases, and contextual nuances in Russian)

Pronunciation (Russian):

с трудом: /s truˈdom/ (The stress is on the second syllable of "трудом"; note that "труд" is pronounced with a soft "р" sound.)

усердно: /uˈsʲernə/ (Emphasize the second syllable; the "сʲ" indicates a palatalized "s" sound, which can be tricky for learners.)

Note on с трудом: This phrase involves a preposition "с" (with), so pronunciation may vary slightly in connected speech, potentially linking to the following word.

Note on усердно: As an adverb, it ends in "-о," which is common for adverbs in Russian; pay attention to the soft consonants for accurate pronunciation.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Main meaning: In a way that requires great effort or is done with difficulty.

Translation(s) & Context:

• с трудом - Used in formal or narrative contexts to describe tasks performed with significant challenge, such as in literature or professional discussions.
• усердно - Applied in informal settings to highlight persistent, diligent effort, often in everyday conversations about work or study.

Usage Examples:

• Он писал отчет с трудом, потому что тема была сложной.

  He wrote the report laboriously because the topic was complex.

• Она усердно работала над проектом, несмотря на усталость.

  She worked laboriously on the project despite being tired.

• Дети учились с трудом новый язык, но не сдавались.

  The children learned the new language laboriously but didn't give up.

• Врач усердно объяснял пациенту диагноз, чтобы все было ясно.

  The doctor explained the diagnosis laboriously to ensure everything was clear.

• Группа альпинистов поднималась на гору с трудом из-за плохой погоды.

  The group of climbers ascended the mountain laboriously due to bad weather.

Secondary meaning: In a meticulous or thorough manner (less common, implying careful effort).

Translation(s) & Context:

• усердно - In contexts emphasizing thoroughness, such as in educational or professional settings.

Usage Examples:

• Он усердно проверял документы перед отправкой.

  He checked the documents laboriously before sending them.

• Усердно готовясь к экзамену, она запоминала все детали.

  Preparing laboriously for the exam, she memorized all the details.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"с трудом" is a prepositional phrase where "с" is an invariable preposition, and "трудом" is the instrumental case of the noun "труд" (labor/work). Nouns like "труд" follow the standard masculine declension pattern.

"усердно" is an adverb derived from the adjective "усердный" and does not inflect; it remains unchanged in all contexts.

For "усердно": No inflections; adverbs in Russian like this are invariable, making it straightforward for learners.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: с усилием (with effort; implies physical strain), тщательно (thoroughly; focuses on care)
• Antonyms: легко (easily; opposite in terms of effort), быстро (quickly; contrasts with slow, laborious pace)

Note: "с усилием" is often used interchangeably with "с трудом" in informal speech, but "тщательно" adds a nuance of precision.

Related Phrases:

• работать с трудом - To work laboriously; used in contexts of challenging jobs or tasks.
• учиться усердно - To study laboriously; common in educational settings, implying dedicated effort.
• идти с трудом - To proceed laboriously; often metaphorical, as in overcoming obstacles.

Usage Notes:

"с трудом" directly corresponds to "laboriously" when emphasizing difficulty, but it's a phrase rather than a single word, which is common in Russian for expressing complex ideas. Use it in formal writing or speech for precision. "усердно" is more about positive diligence and fits informal contexts. Be mindful of word order in Russian sentences, as adverbs like "усердно" typically follow the verb. When choosing between translations, opt for "с трудом" for physical or mental struggles and "усердно" for intentional thoroughness.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "трудно" alone as an adverb (e.g., "Он трудный работал"), which is incorrect because "трудно" is primarily an adjective or adverb meaning "difficult," not a direct equivalent.
  Correct: "Он работал с трудом." (He worked laboriously.)
  Explanation: English learners often confuse adjectives with adverbs; always pair "трудно" with appropriate context or use the full phrase.
• Mistake: Overusing "усердно" in formal contexts where "с трудом" is more appropriate (e.g., "Он усердно писал в официальном отчете").
  Correct: "Он писал с трудом в официальном отчете."
  Explanation: "усердно" implies positive effort, while "с трудом" conveys struggle; mismatch can alter the intended meaning.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, expressions like "с трудом" often reflect the historical emphasis on perseverance and hard work, stemming from Soviet-era narratives of overcoming adversity. This can add a layer of resilience in literature or daily conversation, encouraging a "no pain, no gain" mindset.

Related Concepts:

• усилие (effort)
• трудолюбие (diligence)
• затруднение (difficulty)