Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'longevity'

English Word: longevity

Key Russian Translations:

• долголетие [dɐlɡɐˈlʲetʲɪje] - [Formal, used in contexts of human life span]
• долговечность [dɐlɡɐˈvʲetʲʃnəsʲtʲ] - [Formal, Informal, used for durability of objects or abstract longevity]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in health, science, and everyday discussions, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary).

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; requires understanding of noun declensions and abstract concepts, varying slightly by translation—'долголетие' is B2, while 'долговечность' is B1).

Pronunciation (Russian):

долголетие: [dɐlɡɐˈlʲetʲɪje]

долговечность: [dɐlɡɐˈvʲetʲʃnəsʲtʲ]

Note on долголетие: The stress is on the third syllable ('lʲetʲ'), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the soft 'л' sound; pronounce it lightly as in 'million'.

Note on долговечность: The ending '-ность' is pronounced with a soft 'н', similar to 'n' in 'onion', and the word has a rolling rhythm.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state or quality of having a long life or extended lifespan (e.g., in biology or personal health).

Translation(s) & Context:

• долголетие - Used in formal discussions about human longevity, such as in medical or philosophical contexts.
• долговечность - Less common for human life; better for objects, but can apply metaphorically.

Usage Examples:

• Многие ученые изучают секреты долголетия в разных культурах.

  Many scientists study the secrets of longevity in various cultures.

• Ее долголетие объясняется здоровым образом жизни и генетикой.

  Her longevity is explained by a healthy lifestyle and genetics.

• В этой деревне люди часто достигают долголетия благодаря чистому воздуху.

  In this village, people often achieve longevity thanks to the clean air.

Meaning 2: The quality of lasting for a long time, such as durability in materials or processes.

Translation(s) & Context:

• долговечность - Preferred for non-human contexts, like products or institutions; informal in everyday speech.
• долголетие - Rarely used here; more for living beings.

Usage Examples:

• Долговечность этого материала делает его идеальным для строительства.

  The longevity of this material makes it ideal for construction.

• Компания гордится долговечностью своих продуктов.

  The company prides itself on the longevity of its products.

• Технологии улучшают долговечность электроники в повседневной жизни.

  Technology improves the longevity of electronics in everyday life.

• Долговечность брака зависит от взаимопонимания партнеров.

  The longevity of a marriage depends on the mutual understanding of partners.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both primary translations are neuter nouns in Russian, which means they follow standard neuter declension patterns. 'Долголетие' and 'долговечность' are abstract nouns and do not have irregular forms, but they change based on case and number.

These nouns are invariant in plural forms as they are uncountable in most contexts. For example, in genitive plural: долголетий (rarely used).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • долгота жизни (length of life; more literal and common in scientific contexts)
  • продолжительность (duration; broader, but overlaps with longevity of events)
• Antonyms:
  • краткость (shortness; implies brevity in life or duration)
  • короткость (briefness; used for temporary states)

Note: 'Долгота жизни' is often preferred in formal writing for its precision, while 'продолжительность' can be more general.

Related Phrases:

• Секреты долголетия - Secrets of longevity (often used in health and wellness discussions).
• Долговечность материалов - Longevity of materials (common in engineering contexts).
• Факторы долголетия - Factors of longevity (refers to elements contributing to a long life).

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'долголетие' directly corresponds to the human aspect of 'longevity' and is typically used in formal or scientific settings, while 'долговечность' is better for non-living things like products. English speakers should note that Russian nouns require case agreement, so always adjust based on the sentence structure (e.g., use genitive after prepositions like 'о' or 'без'). When choosing between translations, opt for 'долголетие' for biological contexts and 'долговечность' for durability. Avoid direct word-for-word translations; instead, consider the context to ensure natural usage.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'долголетие' for inanimate objects, e.g., saying "долголетие машины" instead of "долговечность машины". Correct: 'Долговечность машины' means "the longevity of the car". Explanation: 'Долголетие' implies living beings, leading to confusion in meaning.

• Error: Forgetting case changes, e.g., saying "о долголетие" instead of "о долголетии". Correct: Use dative or prepositional forms appropriately. Explanation: Russian requires nouns to inflect based on grammatical role, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'долголетие' is often linked to folklore and traditional medicine, such as the belief in herbs or lifestyle practices from Slavic heritage that promote long life. For instance, stories of centenarians in rural areas emphasize community and natural living as keys to longevity, reflecting a cultural value on resilience and heritage over modern interventions.

Related Concepts:

• здоровье (health)
• возраст (age)
• продолжительность жизни (life expectancy)