Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'leisurely'

English Word: leisurely

Key Russian Translations:

• неторопливо [nʲɪtɐˈroplʲɪvə] - [Adverb, Informal]
• спокойно [spɐˈkoj.nə] - [Adverb, Formal or Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday descriptions of actions, but not as frequent as basic adverbs like "быстро").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use these adverbs in context, though mastering nuances may require practice).

Pronunciation (Russian):

неторопливо: [nʲɪtɐˈroplʲɪvə]

Note on неторопливо: The stress is on the third syllable ("ro"). Pay attention to the soft 'л' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.

спокойно: [spɐˈkoj.nə]

Note on спокойно: Stress falls on the second syllable ("koj"). This word is straightforward but ensure the 'о' is pronounced as a short 'o' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Primary Meaning: Describing an action performed in a relaxed, unhurried manner.

Translation(s) & Context:

• неторопливо - Used in informal contexts to describe slow, deliberate actions, such as walking or speaking, emphasizing a lack of haste.
• спокойно - Applied in both formal and informal settings for actions that are calm and steady, often implying peacefulness.

Usage Examples:

• Они шли неторопливо по улице, наслаждаясь вечерним воздухом.

  They walked leisurely down the street, enjoying the evening air.

• Она пила чай спокойно, не отвлекаваясь на телефон.

  She drank tea leisurely, without getting distracted by the phone.

• В выходные мы предпочитаем путешествовать неторопливо, чтобы увидеть все достопримечательности.

  On weekends, we prefer to travel leisurely to see all the sights.

• Он работал спокойно, несмотря на приближающийся deadline.

  He worked leisurely, despite the approaching deadline.

• Дети играли неторопливо в парке, не торопясь возвращаться домой.

  The children played leisurely in the park, not hurrying to go home.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "неторопливо" and "спокойно" are adverbs in Russian, which typically do not inflect for case, number, or gender. They remain unchanged regardless of the context. However:

• For "неторопливо": It is an adverb derived from the adjective "неторопливый" (unhurried). As an adverb, it does not change form but can be used with various verbs to modify actions.
• For "спокойно": Similarly, it is an adverb from the adjective "спокойный" (calm). It is invariable and can be intensified with words like "очень" (very) to become "очень спокойно" (very calmly/leisurely).

No significant inflections apply, as these are not nouns or verbs. If used in comparative forms, related adjectives might inflect, e.g., "неторопливей" (more unhurried), but this is rare for the adverbial form.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • медленно [mʲɪdˈlʲen.nə] - Slowly; often used interchangeably but implies more speed reduction than leisure.
  • не спеша [nʲɪ ˈspʲe.ʂə] - Without haste; very similar to leisurely, ideal for informal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • быстро [ˈbɨst.rə] - Quickly; direct opposite, indicating speed.
  • торопливо [tɐˈrop.lʲɪvə] - Hastily; emphasizes rushing, contrasting with the relaxed nature of leisurely.

Related Phrases:

• Неторопливый шаг - A leisurely pace; used to describe walking slowly and enjoyably.
• Спокойный отдых - Leisurely rest; refers to relaxed downtime, often in vacation contexts.
• Жить не спеша - To live leisurely; a phrase meaning to take life at a relaxed speed, with implications of enjoying the moment.

Usage Notes:

"Leisurely" in English corresponds closely to "неторопливо" or "спокойно" in Russian, but choose based on context: use "неторопливо" for physical actions like walking, and "спокойно" for mental or emotional states. These adverbs are versatile but more common in descriptive narratives. Be mindful of formality; "спокойно" works in professional settings, while "неторопливо" is everyday. Grammatically, they directly modify verbs without additional particles.

Common Errors:

• Confusing "неторопливо" with "медленно": Learners might overuse "медленно" (slowly) when "неторопливо" better captures the relaxed intent. Incorrect: "Он пошёл медленно" (if implying leisure); Correct: "Он пошёл неторопливо" to emphasize enjoyment over just speed.
• Misplacing stress in pronunciation: For "спокойно", stressing the wrong syllable can alter meaning. Error: Pronouncing as [spaˈkoj.nə]; Correct: [spɐˈkoj.nə], with proper vowel reduction.
• Overusing in formal writing: Beginners might use these adverbs too casually in essays; instead, opt for more precise phrases in academic contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the concept of "leisurely" activities, such as "неторопливо" walks in parks or "дача" (dacha) weekends, reflects a value for relaxation and connection with nature, stemming from historical traditions like the Soviet-era emphasis on collective rest. This contrasts with faster-paced Western lifestyles, highlighting Russia's appreciation for unhurried enjoyment.

Related Concepts:

• Расслабленно (relaxedly)
• Мерный (measured, steady)
• Отдых (rest)