Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'lopsided'

English Word: lopsided

Key Russian Translations:

• неравномерный /nʲɪrɐvnəˈmʲɛrnɨj/ - [Adjective, Formal]
• кривой /ˈkrʲivəj/ - [Adjective, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in descriptive contexts like physical imbalance or uneven distribution, but not as frequent as basic adjectives)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; involves understanding adjective forms and contexts, though basic for learners familiar with Russian grammar)

Pronunciation (Russian):

неравномерный: /nʲɪrɐvnəˈmʲɛrnɨj/

Note on неравномерный: This word has stress on the third syllable ("mʲɛrn-"), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized consonants; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

кривой: /ˈkrʲivəj/

Note on кривой: The initial "krʲ" sound is palatalized, similar to the English "k" in "key" but softer; common in everyday speech with stress on the first syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not balanced or symmetrical (e.g., referring to physical objects or situations that are uneven)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неравномерный - Used in formal or technical contexts, such as describing uneven weight distribution or asymmetrical designs.
• кривой - Applied in informal, everyday situations, like a crooked picture frame or lopsided argument.

Usage Examples:

• Дом выглядел неравномерным из-за сдвинутой крыши.

  The house looked lopsided due to the shifted roof.

• Её улыбка была кривой, но очаровательной.

  Her smile was lopsided but charming.

• В этой картине цвета распределены неравномерно, что придаёт ей современный вид.

  In this painting, the colors are distributed lopsidedly, giving it a modern look.

• Кривой забор в саду нуждается в ремонте.

  The lopsided fence in the garden needs fixing.

• Неравномерный рост экономики беспокоит экспертов.

  The lopsided economic growth is worrying experts.

Meaning 2: Figuratively unbalanced (e.g., in opinions, efforts, or outcomes)

Translation(s) & Context:

• неравномерный - Often used in professional or analytical contexts, such as uneven efforts in a team project.
• кривой - More casual, for biased or skewed perspectives in conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Его аргументы были неравномерными, фокусируясь только на положительных аспектах.

  His arguments were lopsided, focusing only on the positive aspects.

• Кривая критика фильма не учитывает все детали.

  The lopsided criticism of the movie doesn't consider all the details.

• Неравномерный вклад в группу привёл к конфликтам.

  The lopsided contributions to the group led to conflicts.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are adjectives, which inflect based on gender, number, and case in Russian. Adjectives like these follow standard patterns for short and long forms, with variations for agreement with nouns.

Note: These adjectives are regular in inflection, making them straightforward for learners, but always agree with the noun they modify.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • ассиметричный (assimmetrichnyy) - More technical, emphasizing lack of symmetry.
  • искривленный (iskrivlennyy) - Often used for twisted or deformed objects.
• Antonyms:
  • симметричный (simmetrichnyy) - Even and balanced.
  • равномерный (ravnomernyy) - Uniform and steady.

Related Phrases:

• неравномерный рост - Uneven growth (used in economic or biological contexts to describe imbalanced development).
• кривой путь - Crooked path (figuratively, a lopsided or indirect route in life or decision-making).
• неравномерное распределение - Lopsided distribution (common in discussions of resources or data).

Usage Notes:

"Lopsided" corresponds closely to "неравномерный" in formal settings, where precision is needed, such as in scientific or professional writing. Use "кривой" for everyday, informal conversations to convey a sense of casual imbalance. Be mindful of gender and case agreement in Russian sentences, as English speakers often overlook this. When choosing between translations, opt for "неравномерный" if the context involves measurement or analysis, and "кривой" for visual or emotional descriptions. Avoid direct word-for-word translation; instead, focus on the overall meaning to ensure natural usage.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "неравномерный" in informal speech, which can sound overly formal or awkward.
  Correct: Switch to "кривой" for casual contexts, e.g., instead of saying "Это неравномерный стол" (This lopsided table), say "Это кривой стол" for a more natural feel.
  Explanation: Russian has distinct registers; mixing them can confuse listeners.
• Mistake: Forgetting adjective agreement, e.g., saying "неравномерный дом" for a feminine noun like "дом" (which is masculine, but errors occur with other genders).
  Correct: Use the correct form, e.g., "неравномерная картина" for a feminine noun.
  Explanation: This is a common pitfall for English learners due to the lack of agreement in English adjectives.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, words like "кривой" can carry a light-hearted or even affectionate connotation in everyday language, such as describing a charmingly imperfect object, reflecting the Russian appreciation for "soul" (душа) in imperfections. However, "неравномерный" is more neutral and analytical, often used in contexts like Soviet-era engineering discussions where balance was idealized.

Related Concepts:

• симметрия (symmetry)
• баланс (balance)
• искривление (distortion)