Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'length'

English Word: length

Key Russian Translations:

• длина [ˈdlʲinə] - [Formal, commonly used in scientific and everyday contexts]
• протяженность [prəˈtʲaʐənnəstʲ] - [Formal, often used for extended lengths like distances or geographical spans]

Frequency: Medium (This word and its translations appear regularly in both written and spoken Russian, especially in technical, educational, and daily conversations.)

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary level; suitable for beginners as it involves basic vocabulary, but understanding inflections may require some intermediate practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

длина: [ˈdlʲinə]

протяженность: [prəˈtʲaʐənnəstʲ]

Note on длина: The soft 'л' sound ([lʲ]) can be tricky for English speakers; it's similar to the 'l' in "million" but softer. Pronounce it with a gentle palate touch.

Note on протяженность: Stress on the third syllable; the 'ж' sound is like the 's' in "measure," and it may vary slightly in fast speech.

Audio: []

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Physical measurement of distance or size (e.g., the extent from one end to another)

Translation(s) & Context:

• длина - Used in contexts like measuring objects, such as in physics, engineering, or everyday descriptions of items.
• протяженность - Applied in broader spatial contexts, like the length of a road or a river.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Длина этой комнаты составляет пять метров.

  English translation: The length of this room is five meters.

• Русский пример: Мы измерили протяженность реки от истока до устья.

  English translation: We measured the length of the river from its source to its mouth.

• Русский пример: В конструкторстве важно учитывать длину материалов.

  English translation: In construction, it's important to consider the length of materials.

• Русский пример: Длина кабеля должна быть достаточной для подключения устройств.

  English translation: The length of the cable must be sufficient to connect the devices.

2. Duration or extent in time (e.g., the length of a movie or a period)

Translation(s) & Context:

• длина - Informal or neutral contexts, such as describing the runtime of media or events.
• протяженность - More formal, for extended time periods like historical eras.

Usage Examples:

• Русский пример: Длина фильма превышает два часа.

  English translation: The length of the film exceeds two hours.

• Русский пример: Протяженность зимы в Сибири может быть очень долгой.

  English translation: The length of winter in Siberia can be very long.

• Русский пример: Урок имеет длину 45 минут, но иногда её увеличивают.

  English translation: The lesson has a length of 45 minutes, but it's sometimes extended.

• Русский пример: Протяженность отпуска зависит от политики компании.

  English translation: The length of vacation depends on the company's policy.

• Русский пример: Длина речи оратора впечатлила аудиторию.

  English translation: The length of the speaker's speech impressed the audience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "длина" and "протяженность" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard feminine declension patterns. "Длина" is a common noun that inflects regularly, while "протяженность" also inflects but is less frequently used in informal speech.

Note: These nouns do not change in gender but follow regular patterns. For verbs related to measurement, such as "измерить" (to measure), consult separate entries.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • размер (razmer) - More general, referring to size overall; often interchangeable in non-technical contexts.
  • длина (for длина) - Sometimes synonymous with "extent" in poetic or literary use.
  • протяженность (for протяженность) - Synonymous with "span" in geographical terms, but with a nuance of linearity.
• Antonyms:
  • короткость (korotkost') - Shortness or brevity.
  • узость (uzost') - Narrowness, contrasting with length in spatial contexts.

Related Phrases:

• длина волны (dlina volny) - Wavelength; used in physics to describe the distance between wave crests.
• протяженность пути (protyazhennost' puti) - Length of the path; common in travel or navigation contexts.
• максимальная длина (maksimal'naya dlina) - Maximum length; often in rules or specifications, e.g., for strings in programming.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "длина" directly corresponds to the physical or temporal "length" in English and is versatile across contexts, while "протяженность" implies a more extended or abstract sense, similar to "extent" or "span." Use "длина" for precise measurements in everyday or scientific scenarios, and opt for "протяженность" in formal writing, such as geography or history. Be mindful of grammatical gender (feminine) when forming sentences, e.g., adjectives must agree. For English learners, remember that Russian requires cases, so "длину" is used in accusative for direct objects.

• Context tip: In informal speech, "длина" is preferred; avoid "протяженность" in casual conversations to sound natural.
• Multiple translations: Choose based on specificity—use "длина" for objects and "протяженность" for landscapes.

Common Errors:

English learners often confuse "длина" with "длинный" (meaning "long" as an adjective), leading to incorrect usage. For example:

• Error: Saying "Эта длина очень длинный" (incorrect, as "длинный" is an adjective and doesn't fit here).
• Correct: "Эта длина очень большая" or simply use in proper context like "Длина очень большая."
• Explanation: "Длина" is a noun, so it requires appropriate case agreement. Another common mistake is overusing "протяженность" in place of "длина," which can make speech sound overly formal or awkward in daily contexts.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, concepts of length and measurement are deeply tied to historical systems like the "sazhen" (an old unit of length used in construction and land measurement), reflecting Russia's vast geography. Words like "длина" often appear in folk tales or proverbs, emphasizing endurance over distance, such as in expressions about long journeys symbolizing life's challenges.

Related Concepts:

• ширина (shirina) - Width
• высота (visota) - Height
• объем (ob"yem) - Volume
• расстояние (rastoyanie) - Distance