Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'longueur'

English Word: longueur

Key Russian Translations:

• длина [ˈdlinə] - [Formal, used in general measurements and scientific contexts]
• протяженность [prəˈtʲaʐənstʲ] - [Formal, Informal; often used for geographical or abstract lengths]

Frequency: Medium (commonly encountered in everyday language, technical discussions, and education, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like colors or numbers)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can grasp basic forms and usage, but mastering inflections may require practice. For 'длина', it's straightforward; for 'протяженность', it might be slightly more challenging due to its length and context-specific applications)

Pronunciation (Russian):

длина: [ˈdlinə]

протяженность: [prəˈtʲaʐənstʲ]

Note on длина: The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'л' is a clear 'l' sound. Be mindful of the soft 'н' in some regional accents, which can sound slightly palatalized.

Note on протяженность: This word has a complex consonant cluster; practice the 'ж' sound as a soft 'zh'. It's often pronounced more fluidly in casual speech.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The measurement of something from end to end (physical or abstract length)

Translation(s) & Context:

• длина - Used in contexts like object measurements, e.g., in physics or daily life.
• протяженность - Applied to extended distances, such as roads or time periods, often in more descriptive or literary settings.

Usage Examples:

• Длина этой комнаты составляет пять метров.

  The length of this room is five meters. (This example shows 'длина' in a simple descriptive context for physical measurement.)

• Протяженность реки Волги впечатляет.

  The length of the Volga River is impressive. (Here, 'протяженность' is used for geographical extent, emphasizing scale.)

• Измерьте длину провода перед установкой.

  Measure the length of the wire before installation. (Demonstrates 'длина' in a practical, technical scenario.)

• Протяженность пути от Москвы до Санкт-Петербурга — около 700 километров.

  The length of the route from Moscow to St. Petersburg is about 700 kilometers. (Illustrates 'протяженность' in travel or distance contexts.)

• Длина фильма превышает два часа.

  The length of the film exceeds two hours. (Shows 'длина' in an abstract context like media duration.)

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

Translation(s) & Context:

• длина - Less common for time, but used in formal or technical discussions, e.g., in timelines.
• протяженность - More frequently used for temporal extent, especially in narrative or historical contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Длина лекции была около часа.

  The length of the lecture was about an hour. (This uses 'длина' to describe time duration in an educational setting.)

• Протяженность зимы в Сибири кажется бесконечной.

  The length of winter in Siberia seems endless. (Here, 'протяженность' conveys a poetic or experiential sense of time.)

• Длина отпуска позволила нам отдохнуть.

  The length of the vacation allowed us to rest. (Demonstrates 'длина' in personal or casual time contexts.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'длина' and 'протяженность' are feminine nouns in Russian, following standard declension patterns for third-declension nouns. They are inflected based on case, number, and gender. 'Длина' is a regular noun, while 'протяженность' is also regular but longer, making it slightly more complex for learners.

These nouns do not change in plural forms as frequently in everyday use, but if needed: Plural Nominative for 'длина' is 'длины'. They are invariant in some fixed phrases.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • длина – Протяженность (slight difference: 'протяженность' implies greater extent)
  • Расстояние (used for distance between points, often interchangeable in spatial contexts)
• Antonyms:
  • Ширина (width; contrasts with length in dimensional measurements)
  • Короткость (shortness; for temporal or physical brevity)

Related Phrases:

• Длина волны – Wavelength (used in physics to describe the distance between wave crests).
• Протяженность времени – Length of time (refers to the duration of an event or period).
• Максимальная длина – Maximum length (common in specifications, like for strings or documents).

Usage Notes:

'Длина' directly corresponds to the English 'length' in most physical and measurable contexts, making it a straightforward translation. However, 'протяженность' is better for emphasizing extension or vastness, such as in geography. Both are neutral in tone but lean formal; in informal speech, Russians might use simpler alternatives like 'длина' even for abstract uses. When choosing between translations, consider the context: use 'длина' for precise measurements and 'протяженность' for descriptive narratives. Grammatically, always ensure agreement with adjectives and verbs based on gender and case.

Common Errors:

• Confusing cases: Learners often use the nominative 'длина' in all contexts, e.g., saying "Измерьте длину" instead of correctly inflecting in genitive for possession. Correct: "Измерьте длину провода" (Accusative is appropriate here).
• Misusing synonyms: Mistaking 'протяженность' for 'расстояние', leading to awkward phrasing like "Протяженность между городами" when 'расстояние' is more accurate. Error example: "Длина от дома до работы" (incorrect if emphasizing distance); Correct: "Расстояние от дома до работы".
• Overgeneralizing: Assuming 'длина' works for time without context, e.g., "Длина моей жизни" (stilted); Better: "Продолжительность жизни" for lifespan.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like 'протяженность' often evoke the vastness of Russia's geography, such as the 'протяженность' of the Trans-Siberian Railway, symbolizing endurance and exploration. This reflects a broader cultural appreciation for scale and history, which can add poetic depth to everyday language.

Related Concepts:

• Ширина (width)
• Высота (height)
• Объем (volume)